Peggy Beath and Muriel Yell with Health Services Manager Janice Rumph.
On Tuesday morning over 100 people joined in the gardens of Canowindra Soldiers Memorial Hospital to celebrate its centenary at a morning tea.
Geoffrey Beath, Chairperson of the Health Council welcomed special guests, dignitaries, staff and the Canowindra community to the celebration before the Dinawan’s Connection group started a smoking ceremony and welcome to country dances. Guest speakers at the morning tea included Janice Rumph, Jennifer Wythes, Dr Nick O’Ryan, Jenny Weaver and Geoffrey Beath.
The Canowindra Soldiers Memorial Hospital was opened on 28th June 1922 after Father Patrick Doran of St Edward’s Catholic Parish urged the public to support a hospital being built in Canowindra.
The Roll of Honour in the foyer lists 246 men who were on active services during the Great War from the Canowindra district with 56 losing their lives in battle.
By the end of 1922 the hospital had two four-ward beds, two private wards and an operating theatre. However it was soon obvious that additional accommodation was needed.
In 1928 the hospital treated 298 patients, with 27 patients having major operations.
“The hospital has undergone many changes over its 100 years of operations. The operating theatre has gone, as has the maternity, nursery and isolation wards,” said Jennifer Wythes from the Canowindra Historical Society and Museum.
“Two very important additions to the hospital have been the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy departments in 1991, the Canowindra Health Centre in 1994 and a new Emergency Department in 2017,” continued Ms Wythes.
Janice Rumph Health Services Manager said “The staff are enjoying the centenary with a number of celebrations this week including this morning tea, dinner dance on Saturday night and even a competition for who can make the tightest bed with the best hospital corners.”
“The kitchen staff have even found the menu from this day in 1922 and have adapted it slightly so it can be served for lunch today,” continued Ms Rumph.
A number of commemorative placemats have been created, some nurses were dressed in old uniforms and a display of old medical and nursing equipment is in the hospital foyer.
A brass plaque has been made for the centenary of the hospital and has been placed opposite the foundation stone at the entrance to the hospital.
“It isn’t just a building that makes a good hospital, it is also about the people in it, the staff here have some exceptional qualities including dedication, resilience, reliability and a willingness to serve their community in a caring and emphatic manor,” said Ms Rumph.
A large crowd gathered for the morning tea on Tuesday.