Bass Coast Health honours its history

BASS Coast Health (BCH) is paying tribute to those who were instrumental in establishing 

Wonthaggi Hospital, commencing a project highlighting its rich history from its origins as a tent hospital over 100 years ago to the $115m state-of-the-art hospital that exists today. 

At its AGM last month, BCH unveiled seven glass panels featuring the photos and stories of local identities.

The panels were unveiled in the corridor linking the old and new hospitals, with a ceremony that included family members of those people recognised on the honour boards. 

“When we built the new hospital, we wanted to make sure we preserved the memory of the old buildings and the old hospital that had served the community so well over the years,” former BCH Board Chair Don Paproth said.

“We also wanted to preserve the memory of these local individuals and pay tribute to their significant legacy, and we wouldn’t have this new hospital today if our forefathers had not worked so hard to create the hospital that has grown so much over the years.”

Don said the hospital’s growth resulted from a strong vision, hard work and the tenacity of wonderful local identities.

“Wonthaggi Hospital has and always will be a strong and vibrant community hospital,” current Board Chair Ian Thompson said.

“It continues to be strongly supported by the community that it serves, and we welcome those people who donate their time, and funds, locally, to assist us purchasing new equipment and growing additional services. 

“It is fitting that we acknowledge the extraordinary work of our predecessors, and the honour boards will continue to be expanded as we tell more stories about the individuals and events that helped create Bass Coast Health, and it’s a privilege to honour our history.”

A special part of the day was the presence of John Owens who served on the board for 35 years. 

He joined the Board of Management of the Wonthaggi and District Hospital when there were concerns over its future due to the closure of the State Coal Mine, difficulties in attracting health professionals and changes in health funding with the introduction of Medicare. 

John’s tireless work resulted in remarkable growth in services, and improvements to the hospital buildings and equipment. 

He was honoured to receive recognition for his long service to Wonthaggi Hospital. 

Six other panels were unveiled acknowledging the contribution of: 

Agnes Chambers, who persuaded women’s groups to join her in raising money for a Maternity Wing which now bears her name. 

Bill Stirton, who served on the Committee of Management/Board of Directors of Wonthaggi Hospital for 28 years from 1950-1978. 

Dr Lancelot Sleeman, who embodied the spirit and the soul of Wonthaggi after arriving in the town as a 25-year-old when the mines first started in 1910, beginning a remarkable 57 years of service. 

Sleeman Wing at Wonthaggi Hospital, now occupied by BCH’s Learning and Development team, is named in Dr Sleeman’s honour. 

James Healy Davey, who moved to Wonthaggi in 1910 with his wife Kate Gillespie and started their family of nine children, two of whom trained as nurses at the Wonthaggi Hospital he helped 
establish. He was a fundraiser, visionary, a pioneer, an agitator and a family man. 

Mary Kathleen (Min) Gillespie, who joined the staff of the Wonthaggi and District Hospital as a trainee nurse in 1923 and over her career, gave 32 years’ service of her 38-year career to the hospital. 

Percy Brew, who was a successful builder in Wonthaggi, building Rose Lodge among many other houses and projects in the district. He was a Hospital Board Member for several years, fundraiser and bequeathed $518,000 to the health service.