1933

On 29th July 1933 the Kyabram Bush Nursing Hospital was officially opened.

Initially there were three wards of eight beds. Within just one year of opening there were an additional six beds on the verandah.

Mr Sawers said “Such a hospital was for people of limited means (who, in those days, were many) and who were too proud and too independent to accept treatment at a public hospital.”

Members paid a subscription fee as well as a treatment fee for each week of treatment.

The war years saw difficult times for all and the hospital was worked to capacity. Plans soon began for a new hospital.

1930

The first committee for the Kyabram Bush Nursing Hospital was formed.

PRESIDENT

J A Finlay VICE PRESIDENTS

C Roper and J B SawersSECRETARY

W J Wood

1944Fred Billings joined the Bush Nursing Hospital Committee in 1940. In 1944 he was an inaugural member of the Provisional Community Hospital Committee set up to raise funds for the new hospital.

To start the fund off a meeting was held in the Kyvalley Hall, where 29 people and a dog attended. Each farm was asked to provide £10 and each household £5. When asked to make the donations and start the appeal “all raised their hands ... and even the dog barked”, Fred said of the beginning of this district’s community spirit in raising money for the hospital.

In 1960 Mr Billings was a member of the inaugural Committee of the Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital and served until his retirement in 1971, at which time he was made a Life Governor of the hospital.

1945On 12th September 1945 a meeting attended by 60-70 subscribers was held to expand the size of the inaugural committee. At this time it was also decided that the new hospital should be known as the Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital in honour of those who had died in World War II.

The inaugural committee members were: CHAIR

W McMaster-Smith T McMaster-Smith G HerriotC AnsteyM LyleG Markham W BarrotP OlleV NobleE Halliday C HillJ Grahame

W O’Meara E Vaughan F Bennett F BillingsB Smith C Vary J Watt R Davies Drs Crick & BossenceMesdames Robinson & Bennett W Kirwan

After many years of deputations and letter writing to Government Ministers and the Hospitals and Charities Commission, on Remembrance Sunday, November 1958, a crowd of about 1,000 gathered for a Foundation Plaque Ceremony. The plaque inscription read “Kyabram District Memorial Community Hospital Foundation Plaque laid by Councillor William McMaster-Smith, 9th November, 1958.”

The event was described in the Free Press as “epoch making”. Cr McMaster-Smith said that “for the first time in the district’s history, the hospital will be in a position to care for public patients. In the past some of the oldest and greatest citizens had been forced to go to public hospitals in other towns for treatment.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony an inspection of the hospital buildings, which were under construction, was made by the large crowd. They were greatly impressed by the magnitude of the undertaking.

1958

A History of Kyabram District Health ServiceMany people have contributed to the development of the wonderful Health Service we enjoy in Kyabram today.

Beginning as a Bush Nursing Hospital, the service was renamed the Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital when it opened in 1960. In 2002, as services expanded, it was renamed Kyabram and District Health Services. To many people in the community it is simply “The Hospital”.

It is impossible to recognise all of the contributors to the health service over the years. We have recognised Board Members, Managers/CEOs, Life Governors, Matrons and Doctors with more than 10 years service, as well as some of our very generous donors and volunteers.

Our information has been sourced from hospital records, Kyabram Free Press articles, and Historical Society records.

⸺Committee Members

1945-1960 Mr V Noble1945-1968 Mr T McMaster-Smith1945-1972 Mr F Billings1945-1973 Mr W McMaster-Smith1945-1979 Mr J M Lyle1947-1960 Mr G Brown-Grahame1948-1968 Mr F Lewry1948-1970 Dr L J Price1948-1973 Mr J H Brown 1948-1996 Mr T J Tehan1951-1960 Mr G Fraser1954-1960 Mr W Reid1955-1960 Mr R Isaac 1956-1960 Mr H Gorr1956-1960 Mr F Spicer1956-1967 Mr F Patterson1956-1973 Mr A G McCormick1957-1960 Mr J Rafter1957-1963 Mr L Williams1959-1963 Mr E Judd1959-1963 Mr J McKenzie-Warren1960-1963 Mr S Moller1961-1979 Mr R W Crow1963-1999 Mr W Brewster1964-1965 Mr I McIntosh1964-1973 Mr D W Lawton1964-1975 Mr R W Grosvenor1965-1972 Mr C Judd1966-1973 Mr R F Eagle1968-1974 Mr E McMaster-Smith1968-1975 Mr D C Hilton

⸺Managers

1960-1962 Mr G W Rabach1963-1967 Mr K Smith1967-1982 Mr R J Thrussell

⸺Matron

1960-1973 Miss F M Wallis

⸺Doctors

1960-1966 Dr T G Baker 1960-1974 Dr L J Price1960-1976 Dr W A Bossence 1960-1976 Dr F Buchanan1964-1975 Dr I L Page1965-1990 Dr P Tisdall

⸺Life Governors

Ladies AuxiliaryUncle Bob’s ClubMr Tom McMaster-SmithMr Freeman Lewry

1960

On 27th March 1960 the 26-bed Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital was officially opened.

The tendered cost of the new hospital was over £200,000.

Inaugural Office Bearers and Committee (1961)Back: L Williams, A G McCormick, T J Tehan, S Moller, F Patterson, R Crow, J McKenzie-Warren, J M Lyle Front: J H Brown, G W Rabach, W McMaster-Smith, Sr F M Wallis, T W McMaster-Smith, F Billings

1960

President of the RSL, Mr R Meldrum, unveiled the Honour Board.

Lest We Forget

1960

1963

In January 1963 the hospital kiosk was opened. The kiosk was open during hospital visiting hours and staffed by auxiliary members and volunteers.

1964

BED TYPE MALE FEMALE MATERNITY CHILDREN TOTAL

Public 2 1 1 1 5

Intermediate 9 5 11 2 27

Semi-private and private 2 2 4 0 8

Total 13 8 16 3 40

1965

A new 14-bed wing was opened on 24th October 1965. This additional wing was opened free of debt due to the generosity of the people of Kyabram and districts.

1966

In 1966 a children’s ward was opened.

The hospital received a donation of $3,311 from the Kyabram branch of the Uncle Bob’s Club, which was supplemented by a government grant of $4,339. The whole of these sums was spent on completely equipping and furnishing the children’s ward and purchasing specialised equipment for the medical and surgical care of patients. At the time it was likely the best equipped hospital for treatment of children outside the metropolitan area.

The Uncle Bob’s Club continued its financial support of the hospital over many years. In 1968 the club was honoured with a Life Governor’s Award.Pictured: Nurse Loretta Partington, young patient Garry Hall and the TV provided by the Uncle Bob’s Club

Nursing staff (1967)Back: A J Clark, Sister I Sekular, W McDonald, J Aylward, M Hardinge, P Hayes, M Wood, D Rowston, J Payne Front: E Westwood, Sister H Mulquiny, Matron F M Wallis, Sister M Bauerle, S Stevens

1968

The Hospital Fete was a major fundraising event run by the Ladies Auxiliary, starting as a garden party in 1961. This became an annual event held on the third Friday in November and ran for 50 years.

1969

The District Nursing Service was started in 1969. The service gave nurses a new professional role with real autonomy and significant authority. The service was led by Sister Mercia Edwards, using a car funded by various community organisations, and proved to be a great success. It is a very important service that is still operating to this day.

Francis WallisFrancis Wallis was Matron of the Kyabram Bush Nursing Hospital for 7 years from 1953-1960.

In 1960 she was appointed Matron of the new Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital.

Matron Wallis retired in 1973. In 1985 the Midwifery wing was named the Francis Wallis Wing in her honour. The Francis Wallis Wing was demolished in 2012 for the Health and Wellbeing Centre development.

1969

Number of Births 1960s

1961/620

50

150

100

200

250

300

1965/66 1968/691962/63 1966/67 1969/601964/65 1967/68

236 244 224 209234

270 268

202

How to wash and dry a nurse’s veil

STEP 1

Prepare cold water starch or raw starch made with 3 heaped tablespoons of Robin brand starch, dissolved in 600ml tepid water. Lather small amount Velvet soap into the mix to give extra gloss and to prevent iron sticking to veil.

STEP 2

Dip dry veil into starch ensuring material is soaked evenly. Gently wring by hand to remove excess solution.

STEP 3

Wrap veil in a clean cloth to mop extra moisture out. Iron article with a moderate to hot iron until dry.

STEP 4

Make the veil up being careful not to crease.

Pictured: Sister Helen Devine

1972

Snippets from Eva Glover

Patients were allowed to smoke in their rooms. One doctor even smoked on his rounds.

Oranges were picked from the hospital gardens and patients received freshly squeezed orange juice every day.

Laundry was washed daily and hung on five or six large clothes lines.

Snippets from Margaret Chalker

One day I was greeted at the front door of the hospital by a man covered in blood. When I enquired what happened, the man said he had been attacked by a lion! He then went on to explain he was from a circus that was showing in town at the time.

In another incident, a man came into the hospital carrying a bucket, claiming he had been bitten by a tiger snake. He had the snake, which was still alive in the bucket.

In 1972 the 20-bed A G Hutchinson Home for the Aged was officially opened. It was so named after the generous donation of $30,000 by A G Hutchinson.

Pictured: Sir John McEwen and Arthur G Hutchinson

1972

In 1972 the Cardiac Care Unit was opened. The Lion’s Club of Kyabram donated $2,420 for this unit to support the “rapidly increasing” need for cardiac care in the community.

1972

Meals on Wheels started operating from the hospital. The Rotary Club of Kyabram was a huge support for this long overdue service.

1976

In 1976 a new operating table and infant resuscitator were purchased for the hospital.

This purchase was made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Ladies Auxiliary, who bottled pears and tomatoes to sell to raise the required funds (pictured).

1976

After various negotiations with the Hospital and Charities Commission it was decided that the hospital should provide its own x-ray service. The Commission met the full $29,000 purchase cost of the equipment. The service was immediately financially self-sufficient and very busy.

1977

By 1977 the Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital had grown to offer 66 hospital beds and employ 86 staff members.

1978

In 1978 the midwifery facilities were expanded to meet the growing needs of the community. This year saw 208 babies born in the hospital.

A phototherapy unit was donated by the Uncle Bob’s Club in 1980, enabling jaundiced babies to be treated locally, rather than being sent to Melbourne.

Number of Births 1970s

1971/721970/710

50

150

100

200

250

300

1974/75 1977/781972/73 1975/76 1978/79 1979/801973/74 1976/77

275 275

234

189 197201 197

208191

235

⸺Committee Members

1971-1976 Dr W Bossence1971-1977 Mr K J Fitzsimmons1971-1997 Mrs L N King1973-1975 Mr C Coventry1973-1977 Mr R J MacLennan1973-1979 Mr A M Rowlands1974-1977 Mr C J Castles 1975-1978 Mr R S Sloane1975-1976 Mr I C Haslem1975-1979 Mr P Gladman 1975-1988 Mr B Ruler1976-1978 Mr J Pilley1976-1979 Mr D C Hilton1976-1980 Mr C Coventry1976-1980 Dr P O’Brien1976-1982 Mr F Wooller1978-1989 Dr P T Tisdall1979-1980 Mr I C Haslem1979-1983 Mr L Damaschino1979-1985 Mrs N Bear 1979-1987 Mr A Knyvett

⸺Managers

1967-1982 Mr R J Thrussell

⸺Matron

1973-1980 Miss M P Hayes

⸺Doctors

1974-1985 Dr P O’Brien1975-2002 Dr J Frost 1977- Dr M McQueen Thomson1978-1994 Dr S Hanslow

⸺Life Governors

Mr Fred Billings Mr J H Brown Mr A G McCormack Matron Francis Wallace Mr A G Hutchinson Mr Bill McMaster-Smith Mr Fred Wooller

1974

⸺Board Members

1980-1984 Dr J C Frost1980-1986 Mr J Lally1980-1999 Mr P Hann 1982-1986 Dr B Cockroft1982-2000 Mr P Kelliher1984-1987 Mrs E Page1985-1998 Mr S Muir-Smith 1987-1988 Mr K Myers 1987-1997 Mr E Scott-MacKenzie1987-1999 Mrs J Stone1988-1990 Mrs H Caldwell1988-1991 Mr P Commons1989-1990 Mrs A Ratcliffe1989-1993 Dr S Kennon

⸺CEOs

1982-1988 Brendan Lourey1988-1991 Greg Pullen

⸺Matron

1980-2000 Jan Boyle

⸺Doctors

1981-1987 Dr I L Page1984-2011 Dr B Moore1984- Dr P Hool1987- Dr R Brun

⸺Life Governors

Mr Tom TehanMr Bill BrewsterMrs Lesley King

In 1981 Span, the Junior Hospital Auxiliary, was formed.

The Span Charity Ball and the Cup Day Luncheon at Willowmere were highlights among several social functions organised each year. Other fundraisers included a chicken drive, a peanut brittle drive and a knitwear parade, which all members supported “by either selling, making, or buying”.

The group successfully raised approximately $11,000 to provide equipment for the hospital. Their largest gift to the hospital was a cardiac monitor in 1983, valued at $7,855.

Unfortunately, the Span Auxiliary disbanded in 1984 due to a decline in membership.

1981

1982

1983

Housekeeping report:

“For the first time men were employed in the department and they have assisted us greatly in the cleaning of windows and other heavy work.”

1983

Redevelopment within the hospital was ongoing to ensure that quality of care and financial viability were maintained. During 1983 a new bulk store and linen exchange were completed, which improved the operation of these areas greatly.

1983

During the year the hospital received two considerable monetary allocations to further develop services. The Kyabram Country Women’s Association donated $15,000 for the proposed extension of 20 nursing home beds, while a bequest of the late E A Forrest was used to provide new facilities for the children of the hospital. The Parents Room was named after E A Forrest.

Pat HayesPat Hayes was born and raised in Kyabram. She worked at the Kyabram Cannery before putting herself through nurses training and returning to work at the Kyabram Hospital in 1960.

Pat was Matron at the hospital from 1973 to 1979 and was

particularly interested in care for the aged.

Pat was a person with vision and dedication. She was a committed initiator. In 1987 the Day Hospital was named the Pat Hayes Centre in her honour.

1985

In 1985 the hospital celebrated its silver anniversary.

Notable contributors to the development of the hospital were honoured at that time. They included Bill McMaster-Smith and Matron Francis Wallis.

1985

A major kitchen upgrade worth $120,000 was completed in 1985. New catering equipment included a gas cooking range, convection oven, convection steamer, stainless steel benching, bain marie, hot press, tray slide, waste disposal unit and a new autoplas food distribution system.

Artwork by staff member Mrs Glenda Cornell

1985

In 1985 several changes occurred in the McMaster-Smith Wing, among these were the much awaited ablution block. During this project there were only three bathrooms available for all the patients. This, at times, put a lot of pressure on the nursing staff (the daily average occupancy of the ward was 31 patients, which was 68% of capacity).

In 1982 the Day Hospital officially opened.

The Day Hospital aimed to provide family relief as well as promote and maintain the independence of people who were physically, psychologically or socially disabled, through either therapeutic or social activities. Additional staffing had not been possible for the Day Hospital, but with the support from community volunteers, it provided an efficient and effective extended care service.

This service included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, welfare services, hairdressing and nursing care as required.

1985

The Quiet Room at the A G Hutchinson Home was completed with the support of women from various local church groups who generously furnished both this Quiet Room and another within the hospital.

William (Bill) McMaster-SmithBill McMaster-Smith was President of the Committee of the Kyabram Bush Nursing Hospital for 21 years.

From 1944 to 1960 he chaired a Committee established to raise local funds for a new Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital and to ensure that promises made by successive governments to assist with its funding were honoured.

In 1958, he unveiled a foundation plaque for the new hospital.

He was President of the new Hospital Committee from 1960-62 and then served as a Committee Member until his retirement in 1973.

In 1973 he was made a Life Governor of the hospital and in 1985 the general wing of the hospital was named the McMaster-Smith Wing in his honour.

1988

There were more births at Kyabram hospital than most other hospitals of comparable size across the state.

Number of Births 1980s

1981/821980/810

50

150

100

200

250

300

1984/85 1987/881982/83 1985/86 1988/89 1989/901983/84 1986/87

192 191 181 189195

161179 176

192163

1988

A generous anonymous donation of $25,000 enabled the purchase of a specially fitted bus for the Pat Hayes Centre.

1989

The long awaited new 10-bed wing of the nursing home was opened. As far back as 1975 the waiting list for the A G Hutchinson Home had been closed when it reached 170 applicants. The new wing was named the Tehan Wing, in honour of Tom Tehan.

1989 Voluntary AccreditationOver a two-day period all aspects of hospital service and practice were rigorously examined. It was a traumatic time for many as the hospital had been unsuccessful on the last two occasions when presenting for survey in the late 1970s. On this occasion the hospital gained a three-year accreditation status.

The Certificate of Accreditation is a public symbol that the facility has voluntarily sought to be measured against the Council’s standards for quality patient care, and has been found to be in compliance with them. The achievement recognised that the hospital was one of the finest of its size in the state ‒ in terms of building fabric, equipment, facilities and staff expertise.

Tom TehanThomas Joseph Tehan was first appointed to the Committee of the Kyabram Bush Nursing Hospital in 1948. He served on the inaugural Committee of the Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital.

Mr Tehan was Committee President from 1963-1973, a Government Nominee between 1973 and 1975, and Treasurer from 1973-1991. In total he served the hospital on the Committee and the Board for 49 years.

Mr Tehan worked tirelessly for 10 years to secure government funding for much needed nursing home beds.

He received a Life Governorship in 1985.

In 1988 the Board announced that the new wing of the nursing home would be named the Tehan Wing in his honour.

1989

“I don’t think we will ever be able to adequately express our gratitude to the Ladies Auxiliary for the splendid work they do on behalf of this hospital. So much of the equipment and furnishings in use today has been purchased through their generous contributions. We appreciate the many hours spent in the Kiosk, the Opportunity Shop, the Fete and other functions and thank them and the members of the community who support them.”

Mrs L King, Board President 1985

⸺Board Members

1990-1996 Mrs M Stack 1990-2000 Mr S Lowe1991-1997 Mr G McKenzie1994-2002 Dr B Moore1996-1999 Ms H Bell 1996-2010 Mr R Tuhan1997-1999 Mr P Godfrey 1997-2001 Mrs S Tutt1997-2012 Mr D Crow 1999-2007 Mrs C Curnow

⸺CEOs

1988-1991 Greg Pullen1991-2000 Alwyn Gallina

⸺Doctors

1992-2015 Dr J Young 1993-2011 Dr P Tisdall

⸺Life Governors

Kyabram Free Press (Mr Ian Purdey) Mr Ewan Scott-McKenzieMr Sid Muir-SmithMrs Jenni Stone

1990

1993

By 1993, 151 people were employed at the Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital.

The success of the hospital was due to the tremendous efforts and ongoing commitment of the talented staff, and their co-operative approach to meeting the challenge of a rapidly changing environment.

The Board recognised the valuable contribution of the Red Cross Ladies, visiting chaplains and the work of community service programs.

1993

The Ladies Auxiliary ... The Jewel in the Crown, celebrated 60 years service to the Kyabram Hospital in 1993 – from the first non private cottage hospital in 1933, to the current hospital.

In 1961 the Auxiliary raised the princely sum of 34 pounds, 3 shillings and sixpence from a successful fete in the hospital grounds. In 1992 the fete raised over $12,000 adding to a combined total of over $250,000 in the previous 30 years.

It is only through the Auxiliary’s assistance that the hospital was able to provide new medical equipment, such as the operating table purchased in 1992 by the Auxiliary for $35,000, without using the hospital’s operating budget.

This assistance enabled the hospital to use it’s limited resources to provide services that otherwise may not have been able to be offered and ensured that the high standards the hospital was renowned for was maintained.Pictured L-R: Ladies Auxiliary members Christine Jones, Joan Clark, Betty Olle, Dot Rowston and Phyllis Stokes

Betty OlleBetty had a strong connection with this health service for over 50 years, commencing as a midwife in 1965. Betty started volunteering with the Kyabram Hospital Ladies Auxiliary while she was still working and researched and wrote the publication Ladies Auxiliary: A History 1933-1993.

Betty was the President and Secretary of the Auxiliary over a number of years. She will be remembered for her outstanding dedication and commitment to the health service.

On the 13th June the hospital received one of ten WorkCare Prevention Awards presented by the Minister for Labour, the Hon Neil Pope MP. The award recognised the initiative of the hospital’s Environmental Services Department in designing, in consultation with relevant staff, a hydraulic drop side laundry trolley.

The Regional Manager for the Department of Labour Michael Evans said “This is the first time a regional hospital has been recognised by this prestigious award and the staff of Kyabram Hospital should be congratulated for its achievement”.

Pictured: Russell Hickey

1993

In April 1993 a dedicated group of staff and community members participated in the 520km Woody’s Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay. They gained generous sponsorship from the community, rode from Echuca to Port Fairy and raised over $14,000 for the hospital. These funds provided much needed capital for hospital improvements. Every year for 15 of the 16 years the event ran, one or two teams put in an enormous effort to run fundraising events before they took to the road in April. They endured all types of weather over the years.

Overall, more than $150,000 was raised to purchase equipment for every section of the health service. In 1995 and 2004, $15,000 was raised, which was the most raised in a single year.Pictured (L-R) back: Bill Johnson, Ken Wilson, Gerald Angelino, Andrea Morgan. Front: Jenny Boak, Heather Wilson, Raelene Johnson, Wendy Stokes, Meg Johnson, Sabrina Smythe, Russell Morgan. Sitting: Rosemary Britton.

1993In 1993 a gas co-generation plant was commissioned. The unit would generate all the hospital’s peak electricity supply and also utilise the waste heat from the engine module to provide all the hospital space heating and domestic hot water requirements. The installation was expected to save $40,000 per annum. In 1994-95 the net benefit of the plant was $92,579. In 1997-98 it was $79,663.

The plant was decommissioned in 2003. By then, the co-generator had achieved its 10-year projected greenhouse savings for the environment. Feasibility studies revealed that it was not viable to continue to operate the co-generator as there were no cost savings to the hospital. However, the co-generator was still used as a standby generator.

1995

By 1995 Kyabram and District Memorial Community Hospital provided 46 acute beds. Services included surgical, medical and ancillary services for inpatient care and rehabilitation, diagnostic, accident and emergency and community health services.

The 30-bed Kyabram Nursing Home is an extended care facility providing nursing facilities for aged and disabled persons.

1995

In 1995 Kyabram Rotary Club President, Neville Dickson, presented the CEO, Alwyn Gallina, with a cheque for $14,500. This was the hospital’s share of funds raised at the Rotary Dinner Auction. This brought the total sum received by the hospital from Rotary’s Dinner Auctions to over $60,000.

A delighted Mr Gallina said the money would be used in the acute building redevelopment.

1995

The Kyabram Kamikaze Ball committee staged their 10th Annual Ball during the 1994-95 year, fundraising over $55,000 to go towards local charities, clubs and benevolent organisations.

The hospital was delighted to have been chosen as a beneficiary and was presented with a donation of $20,000 to put toward the Stage 1 works of the Master Plan redevelopment. This was the second donation of over $15,000 that the committee had made to the hospital during the previous 5 years.

1995

In 1995 the hospital was the successful tenderer for the Shire of Campaspe’s $300,000 Meals on Wheels service contract to Echuca.

On 28 June 1996 Kyabram Hospital served its 100,000th meal for the financial year. Food Services Manager Mark Rogerson, along with 22 hard working food services staff, produced every one of the 100,000 meals. This included 23,000 Meals on Wheels portions served in Echuca.

The contract ceased in 1999, however in 2000 the hospital was again contracted to supply Meals on Wheels to Kyabram.

Pictured: Mark Rogerson and Joan Todd

1996

A major fundraising appeal that was established in 1995 to raise funds to upgrade the acute wing of the hospital wound down in 1996. Ewan Scott McKenzie initially chaired the fundraiser and Sid Muir-Smith later took his place. They organised many others to personally approach community members for donations.

The Appeal resulted in pledges of $1.43 million towards the acute hospital redevelopment program. This figure continued to grow with new pledges.

Mr Muir-Smith related the story of the day where a person from Merrigum opened the appeal office door, placed a pledge envelope containing $2 on the floor and left without being seen. Sid commented that was how the appeal had run, “it had not been the size of the donations ... but it had been the willingness of people to give”.

1996

The Hospital Auxiliary donated $100,000 to enable the purchase of a colour doppler ultrasound. The new equipment resulted in an increase of 27% in obstetric and vascular ultrasounds performed during the year.

The Auxiliary donated a total of $140,000 in 1996.

Pictured: Robert Melverton, sonographer unknown

Lesley KingIn 1997 the Kyabram Hospital suffered a tragic loss with the sudden death of Lesley King and her husband Ken.

Mrs King was the first woman to be elected to the Hospital Board. She was a valued and respected member of the Board for 24 years and was President of the Board from 1985-1988.

Her wealth of experience from within the business sector and her wonderful feel for community issues, enabled Lesley to be an instrumental member of numerous hospital committees. These

included patient care review, finance, project control group, house and works, and fundraising committees.

Lesley was also a tireless contributor on the Hospital Ladies Auxiliary for more than 40 years.

Lesley was awarded Life Governor in 1988, truly reflecting her outstanding contribution to the hospital.

The Birthing Suite was renamed the Lesley King Birthing Suite in honour of Mrs King’s significant contribution made as a community, Board and Auxiliary member.

1996In 1996 St John of God onsite Pathology services began.

Instead of having a visiting pathology service every fortnight, a round the clock service including blood bank was available for patients to use. The service employed three full time local staff. The benefit was immediate, with many patients having their antibiotics changed within 12 hours when problems arose.

Additional services were provided to the private general practitioners in Kyabram and Tongala as well as Kyabram Nursing Home, Tongala Aged Care Complex, Warramunda Village and West Goulburn Community Health Services in Stanhope.

1996Stage 1 of a two-stage acute hospital redevelopment was completed in June 1996, ahead of schedule and only marginally over budget. Total expenditure was $3.1 million and included a master television and video system and a new telephone system, which were not included in the initial costings.

The redevelopment provided:

• A new 40-bed ward unit, which provided single and twin room accommodation with ensuites

• A new six-bed day procedures unit for patients undertaking day surgery

• Two new birthing rooms within a modern birthing suite

• A fully equipped four-bed high dependency unit

• Significant functional improvements for nursing, medical and support staff

1997The 1997 Fete was a great success with $14,000 raised for the hospital.

The Ladies Auxiliary gathered together a wide range of goodies from kitchens around the town – baking over 100 christmas cakes, puddings and more than 100 tins of shortbread for their popular stalls.

A barbecue, strawberries and cream, hot dogs, hot potatoes, sliced lamb rolls, sandwiches, drinks and ice cream were also available to tempt the taste buds.

The Victoria Police Pipe Band and Captain Koala were also on hand to entertain the crowd.

1998

At the completion of its first full year in operation, the Day Procedure Unit had seen 707 patients through the department. These figures represented an average of 4.9 patients through the department for each of the 144 days it was open.

1998

Towards the end of 1997 general surgeons Dr Tony Heinz and Dr Bruce Tulloh expressed interest in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery (gall bladder removal) at Kyabram.

The hospital felt that such surgery being performed locally would be of great benefit to the community and purchased $24,000 worth of specialised equipment in order for the surgery to be performed.

The first operation of this type at the hospital was performed in February 1998.

1999

In 1999 the first graduate nurse program began. Graduate nurses would rotate through theatre and be exposed to all aspects of the operating theatre and the accident and emergency department.

1999

In 1999, the hospital saw a boom in the numbers of babies born in one week. Midwife Anne Ryall was at a loss to explain the sudden burst of births at the Kyabram Hospital.

In the space of six short days the hospital delivered a staggering 12 babies – bringing the total births at the hospital for the month to 15.

Thirteen boys and two girls, along with a set of twins born in Melbourne, stretched the resources of a number of departments at the hospital.

The in-house laundry department was deluged by nappies and was also at pains to keep up with the linen for the birthing suits.

Anne Ryall was a midwife at the hospital from 1977-2004. Anne’s nursing career was cut short as a result of a terminal illness that took her life in 2006. A much loved member of staff, Anne was renowned for her dedication to health care, demonstrating this by providing an annual bequest for a Nursing Excellence Award.Pictured: Midwife Wendy Thomas

Number of Births 1990s

1991/921990/910

50

150

100

200

250

300

1994/95 1997/981992/93 1995/96 1998/99 1999/001993/94 1996/97

191 182198 214 207 207

240202 201188

1998

In October 1988 the Stanhope and District Community Care Centre became West Goulburn Community Health Services. A community nurse was seconded from Kyabram Hospital to the West Goulburn team. Kyabram Hospital also began providing administrative support such as payroll, finance and maintenance.

In 1997-98 West Goulburn Community Health Services joined with Kyabram Hospital. This was the first step in a more uniform and coordinated approach to primary health care within the district. Early Childhood Intervention Services also commenced at Stanhope.

In 1998-99 the core role of West Goulburn Community Health Services was health promotion in schools, industry and the community.

Over time, the name changed to Community Health Stanhope and then to Stanhope Health.

The Stanhope community has always been involved in regular meetings to oversee the service.

Pictured back: Christine Owen (Principal Stanhope Primary School), Peter Abraham (CEO KDHS), Alan Londey, Owen Wallace, Rob Hill, Howard Pascoe. Pictured front: Alice Bourke (Community Health Nurse, Stanhope Health), Cynthia Downing, Ruth Green (Stanhope Health).

Dr Cam WightDr Cam Wight undertook a locum practice in Kyabram in 1893 and commenced his full-time practice the following year. In those early pioneering days he provided all the medical, veterinary and pharmacy services for the district. He chose to remain in Kyabram providing dedicated service and tireless support for many community organisations until his death in 1928.

In July 1999 the operating suite was named the Dr Cam Wight Operating Suite. A generous bequest made by Dr Wight’s daughter, the late Mrs Margaret (Peg) Billings, in memory of her father, facilitated the development of the operating suite.

Pictured: Fred and Peg Billings

⸺Board Members

2000-2007 Ms H Bell2000-2007 Mr J Neale2000-2009 Mr B Kerr2000-2017 Mrs M Atkins2000-2017 Mrs J Courtney2001-2007 Mrs J Breen2001-2008 Mr T Hansen2001-2016 Mr M Sweeney2002-2007 Ms J Riley2006-2009 Mrs S Tutt2006-2010 Mr B Prideaux2006-2018 Ms J Greer2007-2010 Mr J Burrows2008-2010 Mr J Elborough2008-2013 Mr B Norton

⸺CEOs

2000-2004 Wayne Sullivan2005-2012 Neil Cowen

⸺Life Governors

Mr Peter Hann

2000

Pictured L-R: Justin Sullivan, Beryl Fidler, Sue Walker, Maree Sing, Denise McCormack, Tracey Reid, Dr Jeremy Frost

2000

The Campaspe Early Childhood Intervention Service (CECIS) commenced.

CECIS provides services for children up to six years old with developmental delay or disability and provides support and training for families.

The services provided for children include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology. Families benefit through support services that include the promotion of confidence and competence to help their child learn and grow.

2001

On the 26th January the second stage of the Kyabram and District Community Memorial Hospital’s redevelopment was officially opened by the Victorian Minister for Health and Acting Premier, John Thwaites.

The theatre complex, accident and emergency, recovery and kiosk had been completed in line with expectations and within budget.

More than 300 people turned out on a warm and perfect day to witness the official opening, along with the planting of a lone pine seedling and the dedication of three hospital wards.

As part of the opening, the dedications of the hospital wards were read by former long serving hospital board member and Life Governor Bill Brewster, current hospital board member Peter Hann and hospital president Doug Crow.

Pictured top: Bill Brewster, Peter Hann, Doug Crow, Neil Repacholi, John Thwaites MP. Pictured bottom L-R: Peter Hann addresses the crowd. A lone pine seedling was planted by Kyabram Legacy vice president Roy Watt, nurses Marlene Kerwin and Margaret Chalker and Kyabram Legatee Bob Drysdale.

2002

In 2002 the name of the hospital changed to Kyabram and District Health Services (KDHS). The new name was adopted to better reflect the wide range of services that was now being offered by the organisation.

2002

In 2002 the Kyabram Regional Clinic building was purchased and redeveloped. This was seen as an important factor in recruiting and retaining doctors to the community. Its proximity to the health service was critical for ease of access during medical emergencies and for access to radiology and pathology. The total budget for this project was in excess of $660,000.

Charlie GrummittMr Charlie Grummitt believed in giving back to the community which supported him so generously over the years. That giving back involved several generous donations to the hospital.

In 2000 he donated $50,000 to be shared equally between the hospital and nursing home.

The hospital used its share to upgrade heart monitors in the high dependency room, providing a higher level of heart monitoring care.

The high dependency unit was named in Mr Grummitt’s honour.

2004

The 12-bed western wing of the nursing home, which was designed specifically for dementia residents, was opened in 2004. Residents responded positively to the continuity of permanent staff, who knew individual residents’ needs, caring for them every day.

Built at a cost of $1.3 million, and funded entirely by KDHS, this facility greatly increased capacity to provide nursing home care for our community and reduced the pressure on acute beds. This facility also provided employment for an additional seven staff.

2005

In 2005 Stage 2 of the nursing home upgrade was completed. This upgrade extended the building to the south of the original building and provided single rooms with ensuites for 12 residents. The total number of beds for residents did not change.

2006

In 2006 the nursing home and aged care service was renamed Sheridan. A community competition was run to help choose the new name.Pictured: Long serving volunteer and nursing home resident Mrs Ivy Saunders with Lucy Sullivan

Sheridan stage 3 redevelopment, which included the addition of five single bedrooms and one double bedroom, with ensuites, was opened in 2007. The redevelopment also provided a large increase in communal space.

The staff and residents were stoic in the face of the noise and the disruption of the building works and had fun with naming the access route between the two isolated wings of the building the “Burnley Tunnel”, with rest stops along the way.

Stages 2 and 3 were funded locally and required the investment of $1.3 and $1.4 million respectively. Another example of the community’s support of the health service.

2007

VolunteersThe Nursing Home has a small contingent of dedicated volunteers who come in weekly to enhance the residents’ lifestyle.

The friendly support they give to our residents is tremendous. Some of the work they do is:

• Help with meals• Play guitar and sing for residents• Bring in flowers• Exchanging library books• Organize activities such as Bingo

and Carpet Bowls• Take residents to Church service• Help with morning tea• Cook breakfast once a month• Monthly barbecue

Volunteers at the Pat Hayes Centre help with:

• Planned recreational activities such as craft and bingo

• Serving meals, cleaning up and washing the dishes

• Organising entertainment for clients

Janet BoyleJan Boyle became Matron at the hospital in 1979. She retired after 22 years of dedicated service having successfully fulfilled the role of Matron/Director of Nursing. During her tenure Jan provided the direction and drive for the nursing division through periods of significant change.

2007Community Health opened at Tongala.

In 2007 a permanent presence in Tongala was established with the appointment of a community nurse and a receptionist based in the house owned by Tongala Aged Care. This was an interim measure until a larger facility could be obtained.

Throughout 2006-07 KDHS worked with the local community and the Shire of Campaspe to determine how two $250,000 capital grants, from Nestle and the Department of Health Services, should be invested into health infrastructure in Tongala. As a result of this work, in 2014 community health services moved to the community hub building in Mangan Street.

2008

KDHS was highly commended in the Annual Premier’s Award for Rural Health Service of the Year.

KDHS was determined to be worthy of a Gold Medal award from Victorian Managed Insurance Association (VMIA) for risk management infrastructure. The quality improvement program was revised to be even better grounded in risk management and risk assessment.

In 2008 Stage 1 of the Community Health Capital Project was officially opened, following the remodeling and extension of the building that was originally the nurses’ quarters.

Most of the allied and community health services moved from cramped conditions to the newly renovated modern building.

2008

2009

Kyabram and District Health Services was winner of the 2009 Premier’s Award for Best Rural Health Service.

The Award was bestowed on KDHS in recognition of that which was occurring in the following areas:

• Providing sustainable, well-managed and efficient health services

• Providing timely and accessible health services

• Promoting least intrusive and earliest effective care

• Improving health service safety and quality

• Strengthening the capacity of individual, families and communities through effective prevention and health promotion

• Improving health and wellbeing for disadvantaged people and communities.

Pictured L-R: Jenny Hill, Susan Briggs, Mike Sweeney (Board Chair), Carolyn Jones, Neil Cowen (CEO), James Woods, Katrina Studd, Robyn Fennel, Di Roberts

2009

Number of Births 2000s

2001/022000/010

50

150

100

200

250

300

2004/05 2007/082002/03 2005/06 2008/09 2009/102003/04 2006/07

166 172147 143 137

150136

108 112

173

2009

KDHS is a finalist in the 2009 VHA Community Health Awards.

The chronic disease management team was one of three finalists for the VHA award for ‘A health service program or project which exemplifies a population health approach.’

2009

⸺Board Members

2010-2011 Mr J Newham2010-2020 Mr G Cootes2010-2020 Ms N Ryan2011-2013 Mr P Turner2011-2019 Mr P Jackson2013-2017 Mr A Basile2013- Mr D Denham2016-2018 Ms L Humphris2017-2018 Dr O Mitchell2017- Dr G Toncich2018- Ms D Armstrong2018- Mr M Milne2018- Ms D Mulcahy2018- Ms M Prictor2019- Mr P Butt

2020- Ms M Sing2020- Mr C Motton

⸺CEOs

2012-2019 Peter Abraham2019- Anne McEvoy

⸺Doctors

2010- Dr L Tay

⸺Life Governors

Mr Ray TuhanMr Doug CrowMrs Margaret ChalkerMrs Robyn BuschMr Mike Sweeney

Awarded in 2020:

Maureen AtkinsJean CourtneyJudy Greer

2011

After funding was received in 2009, the Renal Dialysis unit began operation in 2011 and was officially opened in 2012.

The purpose built facility was funded by KDHS. The unit has three treatment chairs, provides a relaxing garden view for clients and easy access from designated car parks.

2011

Last fete

In 1961 the Kyabram Hospital Ladies Auxiliary held a garden party to raise money for the hospital. The garden party was such a success it became an annual event in the afternoon of the third Friday in November, evolving into an all day event.

The Ladies Auxiliary continued to work hard to make the Fete such a success, but in 2000 they advised the Board that, due to dwindling membership and members who were older and frailer, they were no longer able to organise and run the fete.

In 2001 the Board took over the organising of the Fete and some of the Ladies Auxiliary members

continued to help by baking for the cake stall, providing supplies for the craft stall and helping on the day.

In 2006 the format of the Fete changed to become a community event with the inaugural Great Bed Race.

After lengthy deliberation and consultation, the Board decided that 2011 would be a celebration of the previous 50 years and the last Fete.

The Board acknowledged the hard work and tireless efforts of volunteers who had made this event such a great success and in so doing, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the organisation over 50 years.

2012Stage 4 of the Sheridan upgrade was opened.

This development was primarily funded by a community fundraising appeal that provided more than $1 million towards the project.

Shared rooms, with shared ensuites, became 20 single rooms each with its own ensuite.

Finally, as a result of tireless hard work from the Board, staff and community, the project was completed bringing to an end a 10 year capital project to redevelop our entire Sheridan aged care facility.

When officially opening stage 4, The Hon. David Davis MP said “this is testament to the community spirit of the town”.

2012

The new student accommodation building located in Mitchell Street was opened in 2012. The six-bedroom purpose built facility offered a home away from home for students undertaking work placement at KDHS.

2012

KDHS is committed to closing the gap between the health outcomes and life expectancy of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia and non-indigenous Australians.

To show that commitment, a flag raising ceremony was held in October 2012 where the Aboriginal Flag was raised alongside the Australian flag to welcome Aboriginal people to the health service.

In 2012 KDHS signed a Statement of Intent on behalf of the Kyabram and district community with the Minister for Health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Social Justice Commissioner and the CEO Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.Pictured L-R: Lois Charles, Wally Charles, Aunty Kaye Hearn, Ian Peters, Aunty Kitty McCormick

Dr Peter TisdallDr Peter Tisdall commenced practice in Kyabram in 1965 after being accepted as a visiting medical officer by the hospital in December of that year. He practiced as a “solo” practitioner for the next ten years. Dr Tisdall was joined by two other doctors in a clinic that operated from the ground floor of the nurses’ living quarters at the hospital for another decade, leaving to set up practice in an adjacent building.

Dr Tisdall “retired” in 1990 after delivering over 1,500 babies and making approximately 27,000 hospital attendances during his 24

years of service. He served on the Board of Management of Kyabram and District Health Service from 1978-1989.

In 1991 Dr Tisdall returned to work. He provided medical services until his death in June 2011.

Dr Tisdall had a large practice in Kyabram and worked seven days a week caring for his patients. He provided care in a non-judgemental way, rejected no-one, started early and worked late to ensure all received treatment. The community greatly mourned his passing.

In 2012 the Health and Wellbeing Centre was opened.

Inside the new front entry a welcoming environment encompasses additional consulting rooms, treatment rooms, a café lounge, courtyard area, physiotherapy facilities and gym, training spaces for doctors and nurses and a state of the art tele-health centre.

This project was funded by the Commonwealth Government. A fundraising appeal raised $170,000 for furnishings, including donations from the Ladies Auxiliary and the Heart Group.

2014

A new ultrasound machine was funded by a $15,000 donation from the Kyabram Heart Group.Pictured L-R: Joyce Robbins, Jan Hancock, Bill Norman and Susan Moody

2012

2014

In 2014 the Community and Hospital Midwifery Program was ceased at KDHS.

The program was a service unique to Kyabram and was a direct initiative to retain birthing services for the local community.

This program employed a core group of midwives who provided antenatal, birthing and postnatal care to women experiencing low risk pregnancy. As a result of clinical capability framework changes and a limited number of mothers eligible to safely birth at the hospital, it was no longer viable to offer the service.

Number of Births 2010s

2011/122010/110

50

150

100

200

250

300

2012/13 2013/14

65

22 2223

Bill NormanBill Norman was President of the Kyabram Heart Group for 10 years from 2005 to 2015. During that time $120,000 was donated to KDHS by the Kyabram Heart Group. Much of the money raised was through the sale of locally donated tomatoes.

Bill’s lasting legacy to KDHS was his enthusiasm and commitment to fundraising for much needed medical equipment that would greatly enhance the care provided at his local health service.

2014In 2014 KDHS underwent a rebrand.

The branding is contemporary and meaningful, better reflecting the current story of the organisation and its ongoing commitment to the people it works with and the communities it serves.

The logo has four abstract people, representing patients, providers, community and staff, coming together into a tight formation to reflect a compassionate, united, inclusive and effective organisation. This symbol forms an abstract cross in the central negative space that represents our unwavering commitment to healthcare.

2015

KDHS, in partnership with GV Imaging, started providing CT scanning services for the local community. This significantly enhanced the ability of our local GP’s and clinical teams to provide a greater scope of care locally.

In the same year, KDHS was delighted to again be a beneficiary from the Margaret (Peg) Billings trust fund, receiving $200,000 to redevelop our Palliative Care Suite in Peg’s honour.

Ray TuhanRay Tuhan was a strong supporter and advocate for local and community health. He was a strong believer in people not having to travel for care when they did not need to.

Ray represented the Stanhope community as a long term member of West Goulburn Community Health for over 40 years, and was a member of the KDHS Board for 13 years.

Ray was made a Life Governor of KDHS in 2010.

In 2013 Ray received an Angel Award from Kidney Health Australia in recognition of his vision and instrumental role in the development and commencement of renal dialysis care locally. Ray’s personal experience with cancer services informed much of the planning for the KDHS Cancer Centre.

His legacy was to leave everyone who knew him with a passion to continue to be a voice for our community.

2016

In 2016 the Cancer Centre was opened. The Centre offers a same-day oncology service, through a shared partnership arrangement with the Goulburn Valley Health oncology service. A highlight of the attractive garden setting is the water feature designed and constructed by members of the engineering department.

A generous donation from the Kyabram Heart Group of $5,520 was used to purchase a chemotherapy chair.

Pictured L-R: Kelvin West, Edie West, Bev Faderson, Jan Hancock and Ernie Hancock of the Kyabram Heart Support Group

2017

KDHS was the winner of the NEXA Patient Engagement Award for moving the patient engagement evolution forward and for setting an example for other healthcare providers to follow the philosophy of “Putting People First”. The aim of this philosphy is to improvethe patient and consumer experience while at the health service.