Dunedoo has one last look at old hospital

For the community of Dunedoo,  attainment of the hospital was not easily achieved. 

Talks to negotiate the hospital commenced in 1914, but were put on hold due to WWI being declared.

 In 1918 the hospital was once again back on the agenda for the community of Dunedoo, but  it was not until 1940 that approval for the Dunedoo War Memorial Hospital was granted.

 It was another five years till the hospital became a reality.

The old Dunedoo War Memorial Hospital provided medical assistance for its community under the watchful eye of its first Medical Officer Dr Crossin. 

Dr Crossin unfortunately died at the age of 47 due to ill health. 

But the hospital and its staff continued to provide for the community. 

This was not always an easy task and as money was not always readily available, so the hospital took payment in the form of produce such as a dozen eggs or a bag of wheat or oats.

Despite the hard times,  the hospital continued to grow with the addition of Matron’s Quarters which later became the physiotherapy clinic. The Nurses’ Quarters came into existence in 1964, on May 30. 

The hospital’s maternity wing was opened in 1965 and was extremely important for the towns growing population.

The hospital tended its community till its doors were sealed in 2007 and its staff relocated to the new Dunedoo War Memorial Multi-Purpose Health Service (MPS).

Mrs Marcia Rhodes was in attendance to say farewell on Friday.

Mrs  Rhodes was the old hospital’s matron, and in 1948 was known as Sister Digges.

 In 1948 the hospital’s beloved Matron, Sister Digges from Mendooran,  married a Dunedoo Man and left the hospital to care for her growing family. She  returned after a period of time due to the hospital’s nursing shortage. 

Mrs Rhodes held a Certificate of Midwifery and once again became an integral part of the hospital. 

Due to still having children of school age Mrs Rhodes was allowed to work within school hours. 

Mrs Rhodes remembered her time at the hospital with great fondness as she shared her stories with other residents of Dunedoo.

Another popular member from the Dunedoo community in attendance was Ken Westerman.

 Ken is 75 years old and recalled the days that his Aunty Annie Jackson worked at the hospital as its very first cook and her husband was occupied as the hospital’s gardener. 

Ken talked of his uncle milking the hospital’s cow every morning to provide the patients with fresh milk. 

At the age of seven Ken was a patient of the hospital when he had his tonsils removed.

The students from St Michael’s School came to show their respect for the history within the walls of the old hospital as many of their mothers, fathers and grandparents were born at the hospital.

Three Rivers Radio broadcast live from the hospital,  conducting interviews and sharing the history of the building.

For 62 years,  the grand old building cared for the residents of Dunedoo and nearly 69 years to the day after its opening, the hospital was farewelled for the last and final time.

 The residents are extremely grateful for their functioning MPS and its hard working staff who continue the tradition of providing the best care for the community; however the fondness for the old building and the sadness of saying farewell was evident on the day.

As a result of the hard work of Dunedoo MPS health service manager Christine Warwicker and Cr Chris Sullivan the hospital achieved the farewell that it deserved on Friday.

 Mrs Therese Sullivan cooked for two straight days so those in attendance could enjoy slices and cakes with their tea and coffee on the day. 

Warrumbungle Shire Mayor  Peter Shinton and his wife Julie were also there to see the final closing of the old hospital’s doors.

The demolition of the hospital will make way for the construction of Independent Living Units, the units will be a valuable addition to the township of Dunedoo.