Hospital celebrates 150th anniversary
Stawell Regional Health Board Chair, Karen Douglas and long serving General Practitioner, Dr Norm Castle, were given the honour of cutting the cake at the 150th birthday celebrations. |
3/03/2009 8:34:00 AM
Stawell Regional Health celebrated its 150th anniversary last Thursday, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on the hospital grounds.
A town crier and guests in period costume helped set the scene for the community event, which marked a special milestone in the town's history.
Stawell Regional Health CEO, Peter Edwards, opened proceedings with a formal recognition of the 150 years of outstanding service contributed to the Stawell community.
The first temporary hospital was opened on February 26, 1859, at the aptly named Doctor's Hill, halfway between Commercial Street, Pleasant Creek and Deep Lead.
The 12 to 16 bed hospital treated 67 patients in the first year and was closed in 1861 to make way for a permanent establishment.
The Pleasant Creek Hospital served the community for 70 years, until the hospital was relocated to its present site.
Over the years the hospital has undergone several name changes including Stawell Hospital and Benevolent Asylum, Stawell Hospital, Stawell and District Hospital and finally, Stawell Regional Health.
During Thursday's ceremony, Mr Edwards thanked many people for their contribution to the hospital.
``I have many people to thank, in particular Dr Norman Castle who has devoted most of his working life to medicine and this hospital,'' he said.
``The innovation of the community has helped us to achieve the longevity we have today.''
Stawell Regional Health Board of Governance Chair, Karen Douglas, spoke about the challenges faced by people in 1859.
Representatives from the Northern Grampians Shire, Stawell Historical Society and Stawell Medical Centre were among the guests attending the celebrations.
Mr Edwards said the community should be proud of the hospital's facilities.
``I have been CEO of a lot of hospitals and you need to be proud of it. It's as good as you can possibly get,'' he said.
The celebration was the first of many events planned for Stawell Regional Health this year.
The Murray to Moyne, Lights and Sirens Ball and the 150th Charity Golf Day are just some of the activities listed on the 2009 events calendar.