Bowral 125 year anniversary feature - NSW Health · Hospital is an essential entity in the Southern Highlands and had an auspicious beginning on Monday, July 27, ... (The Ladies’

Southern Highland News, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 21

BOWRAL& DISTRICTHOSPITAL

125 YEARS

celebrates

22 Southern Highland News, Wednesday, May 14, 2014

By Win Smith.

BOWRAL and DistrictHospital is an essentialentity in the SouthernHighlands and had anauspicious beginningon Monday, July 27,1885 when Dr Bernard JNewmarch and MrCopland Bennett calledthe first public meetingto discuss the establish-ment of a hospital in thedistr ict .Twenty-twomen representingBerrima, Bowral,Mittagong and MossVale attended the meet-ing, which was held atthe Bowral School ofArts.

Chairman of themeeting, Mr W McCourtM.L.A told the meetingthat the governmentwould give pound forpound raised towardssetting up a hospital.

It was stated that fivebeds would probably beadequate for the pres-ent with the estimatedannual cost of each bedbeing 52 pounds.

It was suggested the

erection of the hospitalwould cost approxi-mately 500 pounds, theland would cost 400pounds and annualexpenses would be 400pounds.

Opinions appear tohave been dividedabout the wisdom ofestablishing a hospital,for soon after land waschosen, Dr Newmarchwrote in a letter to theBowral Free Press:

“It is useless to denythat the residents ofBowral, in not a fewinstances, raise objec-tions to the foundationof a district hospital, asit is to be built in theirown town. The reason isthat the hospital will beused for infectiouscases and that it willdrive visitors away andruin the district. For myown part, I consider thatevery town should havethe means of providingsuch accommodationas the necessity arises.

“We can never bepositive that typhoidmay not arise or be

imported into ourhomes by the very peo-ple that afford so manypeople here a means ofsupport. We mustremember that it is evenmore than probablethat such may happen;but we have no visiblemeans of preventing itspreading, or fromdestroying the reputa-tion of this and everyother town in the dis-trict. No one can blameus, not even the mostshort-sighted of thosewho object to the estab-lishment of the hospi-tal, if we have the meansat hand ready to copewith the only foe likelyto militate against theirwelfare.”

At a committeemeeting on August 11,1886 it was decided thatthe intention of build-ing a district hospital berelinquished with theview of establishing aDistrict CottageHospital on a smallerscale.

In addition it wasagreed that the hospital

should not be for theadmission of infectiouscases.

In September 1888 asketch plan by thearchitect was submittedand unanimouslyapproved andGovernment approvalwas also received.

In the design theaccommodation shownis for six patients, fourmales and two females.The male and femalewards are each over-looked by an inspectionwindow from thematrons bedroom andare well separated, theirverandahs having anoutlook in differentdirections. The planalso shows man’s room,linen room, kitchen,wash house, fuel roometc...

The Foundationstone of the BerrimaDistrict CottageHospital was laid at 4pmon Saturday, February9,1889 by the 16thGovernor of the Colony- his Excellency, theGovernor Lord

Carrington. The open-ing of the hospital tookplace on September 4,1889. The opening ofthe hospital and layingof the foundation stonewas attended by morethan 600 people on abright and clear daywith the town being lib-erally decorated withbunting.

The hospital wasopened by the hospital’sfirst president, the Hon.John Lackey MLC andincluded athleticsports, school childrensinging the nationalanthem and a sale ofwork (The Ladies’W o r k i n gAssociation).This was agreat occasion for theresidents of the area soit was clear that a senseof anticipation was inthe air on this day.

It was later advisedthis day had beendeclared a public holi-day in the district.

Berrima DistrictHospital 1919-1968:Standing on thegrounds are two life-

Blessed are They - The story of Bowral& District Hospital, Bowral NSW

Bowral & District Hospital celebrates 125 years

sized metal statues,fondly nicknamed ‘thegirls’ by staff. They arecopies of two marbleantiques in theDepartment of Greekand Roman Antiquitiesof the Louvre Museum,Paris.

The smaller figurerepresents Euterpe,Muse of Lyric Poetry andthe larger is of Arteme,the Huntress andGoddess of Light.

The statues were castin metal from the gunsused in the CrimeanWar. They were exhibit-ed in the NationalExhibition of the Louvre

in 1884 and werethought to have beenpurchased by a memberof the Harris family atthat Exhibition.

One New Year ‘s Eve,vandals poured sumpoil over the statues. Incleaning off the oil, thepatina was removed andit was after this that thefigures were first paint-ed. On the death ofArthur Harris, the stat-ues were given to theBowral MunicipalCouncil.

In May 1948 theCouncil presented themto the Berrima DistrictHospital.

Photo supplied.

Your retirement income...

fi xed with FIIG.

Winner best Service Provider as voted by SMSF Members:Fixed Income, Coredata SMSF Service Provider Awards 2013

FIIG Securities Limited ABN 68 085 661632 AFS Licence No. 224659

* Rate current as at 12/5/14. FIIG provides general fi nancial advice only.

Visit FIIG.com.au/disclaimer for a copy of our disclaimer.

FREESEMINAR

Register now at www.FIIG.com.au/bowral or call 1800 01 01 81.Places are limited.

Learn how. Join us for a free one-hour seminar at The Gibraltar Hotel, Bowral, Saturday 21 June.Fixed income investments give you a regular income. And with returns of up to 6.8%*p.a. – the big name in fi xed income is FIIG.

To learn how you can diversify your retirement portfolio with corporate bonds, join us for a free one-hour seminar.

Southern Highland News, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 23Southern Highland News, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 23

By Eliza Winkler

THIS year Bowral andDistrict Hospital will cele-brate a major milestone asit reaches 125 years servingthe Highlands community.

The hospital will be run-ning a year-long calendarof events as part of the cele-brations, which kicked offin April.

The hospital officiallyopened on September 4,1889 as the Berrima DistrictCottage, which was laterchanged to Bowral andDistrict Hospital in 1919.

Over the years the hospi-tal has transformed from ahumble cottage to a largefacility offering a range ofgeneral and specialisedservices.

Construction of the hos-pital was first discussed at apublic meeting in 1885 ofpeople from Berrima,Bowral, Mittagong andMoss Vale.

Opinions were dividedon the hospital and therewere some objections,including a letter in theBowral Free Press voicinglocal concern about infec-

tious patients “driving visi-tors away and ruining thedistrict”.

However, support for ahospital in the districtincreased and the BerrimaDistrict Cottage Hospitalwas officially opened in1889, which was declared apublic holiday.

The original design hadaccommodation for sixpatients, four male and twofemale beds.

The male and femalewards were each over-looked by an inspectionwindow from the matron’sbedroom and were separat-ed.

Bowral and DistrictHospital general managerAlison Derrett said she feltvery fortunate in her posi-tion during such an impor-tant time in its history.

“Like the Wingecarribeecommunity, the hospitalhas grown and changedover the past 125 years,” MsDerrett said.

“10 years after it openedthe hospital was treating115 patients, including 14accident patients and 35operations.

“Today our staff deliver

around 450 babies eachyear, treat more than 17,500patients in the emergencydepartment and undertakemore than 2700 operations.

“Throughout its 125years the hospital hasreceived strong communi-ty support and continues toenjoy this support todayfrom groups like theHospital Auxiliaries, theBDCU Children’sFoundation, the strong vol-unteer community, and theUniversity of Wollongong.”

The Hospital kicked offcelebration events in Aprilwith a lecture by formerhospital matron NancyReynolds and a presenta-tion by Dr Simon Grant.

Dr Grant is a senior staffspecialist and shared hisinterest in plants, specifi-cally rare and exotic mapletrees and medicinal plantsincluding the opium poppyand camellia.

Other celebrationsinclude a restored quilt dis-play, refurbishment of thehospital gardens, staffawards night and an artcompetition for localschools.

Celebrations

Photo supplied.


A comprehensive range of state of the art medical imaging services

Phone 4861 4555 • www.southeastradiology.com.au

Bowral Medical Imaging is proud

to be a long term supporter and

congratulates Bowral and District

Hospital on its 125th Anniversary.

We are owned and operated by local doctors who have providedquality radiology services to theSouthern Highlands and surroundingarea for over 20 years.

• MRI (Full Medicare Rebate)

• Ultrasound (including

4D obstetric scanning)

• CT Scanning

• Cardiac CT

• X-Ray

• Mammography

• Interventional Procedures

AW1388536

24 Southern Highland News, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 Southern Highland News, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 23

IT WASnot until 1896 thatdiscussion began regard-ing the construction of anoperating theater for theBerrima DistrictHospital.

The building adjacentto the female ward wascompleted in November1898.

Until an operatingtable could be purchasedthe table from the nurses’dining room was carriedin when an operation wasto be performed.

Ten years later thetotal number of patientstreated at the hospitalamounted to 115 in 1906.Included in this numberwere 14 accident patients

with 35 operations per-formed. The average stayof each patient had beenreduced to 16.13 days.

Until the 1920s theMatron wore an ankle-length apron, stiffly-starched collar, belt andcuffs, black stockings andboots or laced-up shoesand all topped with anatty little white ‘hat’ withtwo long flowing tails atthe back. Over the yearsthe headgear graduallychanged, but the rest ofthe uniform remained.

Prior to 1901 there wasno legal requirement forany matron in NSW to bea trained nurse. However,right from the beginning

the committee of theBerrima District CottageHospital insisted thateach and every one of theearly matrons had trainedin a recognised trainingschool for nurses.

The early matronswere totally responsiblefor patient care sevendays a week, 24 hours aday. They were responsi-ble for the the day-to-daymanagement of theHospital, the inventory ofstores and equipmentand in the absence of ageneral servant, for

the cooking, washing,scrubbing and cleaning.They could not leave theHospital without permis-

sion and certainly not beaway overnight.

In 1889, Miss AnnieDyne Morgan wasappointed the firstMatron of the BerrimaDistrict CottageHospitalat a salary of 52pounds per annum. Shewas a first cousin of“Banjo” Patterson and aniece of Dr Allen B.Morgan of Bowral.

In 1913 the Hospitalwas granted recognitionand registration as aTraining School forNurses by theAustralasian TrainedNurses Association, witha training period of fiveyears.


A new direction for operations

Demand for hospital on the increaseOn May 13, 1919, theCommittee adoptednew Rules andRegulations for themanagement of theBerrima DistrictCottage Hospital and itwas decreed that theHospital shall be calledthe Berrima DistrictHospital.

By 1920, the dailyaverage number ofpatients had risen to16.88 and the averagelength of stay in hospi-tal had decreased to15.30 days. There waslittle change in the mor-tality rate which stoodat 6.7 per cent.

1922 was a memo-rable year for theHospital and the staff asnot only did open firescease to be used (cokestoves were installed),in May the town watersupply was connected.It was a day to remem-ber in Bowral whenelectricity wasswitched on for the firsttime on January 31,1925. By the end of theyear the Hospital wasconnected to electrici-

ty. As demand on thehospital increased, itwas decided that a newhospital had to be built.On April 24, 1943, thefoundation stone of thenew hospital was laidby the Minister forPublic Works andHealth, the Hon R.W.DWeaver M.L.A.

On February 23,1935, the new Hospitalwas opened by Mr MarkMorton MLA in thepresence of almost1,000 people. Duringthe formal proceed-ings, the Chairman, MrW Terry said the newHospital had cost18,111 pounds of whichthe Board paid 9400pounds.

The main wardblock had two storeysand provided accom-modation for 39 beds -24 public, four inter-mediate, eight privateand three children. Theground floor includedthe main entranceporch and hall, office,small outpatientsdepartment, dispensa-ry, x-ray department,

rooms for dressings, adining room for nursesand provision for a liftto be installed later.

In March 1961 aservice of thanksgivingand dedication washeld at the ParishChurch of St Simon andSt Jude in Bowral, tomark the opening of theMilton Park Wing - thehospital’s surgical andobstetric block.

The Hospital Boarddecided to name thenew block in recogni-tion of the significantfinancial benefits theHospital had gainedfrom Mr and MrsAnthony Hordern, whoopened their beautifulgarden Milton Park, tothe public each year.

Following com-plaints from patientsand visitors who hadfirst travelled toBerrima trying to findthe hospital, it wasdecided in 1968 tochange the name toBowral & DistrictHospital to betterreflect its geographicallocation.

Photo supplied

40 Ton Petrol LogSplitterPull Start$1395

Electric Start$1525

Kit form*Works vertically & horizontally

Log Span Shelving2m long x 2m high500mm deep (flat pack)

$199 $199

6”

$399

$310pr

1350kgBucket Forks

Chainsaw 18”45cc

Grader Blade

Standard $769

Sine Wave $1095

(Sine Wave illustrated)

Generator Super Special

TWO MILLION DOLLAR

CLEARANCEEVERYTHING MUST GOBring your truck, ute, trailer

OUT IT GOESWE WILL MAKE DEALS

• Arc welders • Mig welders• Pressure welders • Cranes

• Hoists • Winches• Drop saws • Nail guns

• Souter sets • Spanner sets• Tool boxes • Jacks• Pumps • Engines• Band saws • Fans• Hoses • Chippers

• Shredders • Generators• Air compressors

• Abrasives• Auto gear • Hammers

• Shovels • Jockey wheels• Air tools • Wheelbarrows

• Lawn carts • Go carts• Gun safes • Garden tools• Hand tools • Power tools

• Farm machines

1371151

$119

$169

$369

59-65 Berrima Rd,Moss Vale

(02) 4861 7444Weekdays 8am to 5pmOpen this Sat & Sun

8am to 4pm



THE LADIES of the dis-trict took on the task ofraising funds for thehospital.

Mrs Sarah Reed con-vened a meeting onJune 17 1886 at theSchool of Arts and aLadies Working com-

mittee was establishedin conjunction with theBerrima DistrictCottage Hospital.

In the first year oftheir work the groupraised 231 pounds.

The ladies met everyFriday afternoon and

worked each week tocomplete their gift tothe hospital.

This included tableand bed linen, blankets,quilts, towelling, blinds,garments for patientsand other small items. Amoney box was sent to

each of the schools inthe district for thereception of children’sdonations.

The boxes werecleared regularly andproceeds devoted toproviding a children’scot at the hospital.

The Ladies Workingcommittee continuedin a myriad of ways tosupport the hospitaland provide extras forpatient comfort. Theywere the forerunner ofthe present hospitalauxiliaries.

Money to maintainand extend the hospitalcame from manysources. Patient feesaccounted for smallamounts. Subscriptionsfrom members of thepublic, companies andclubs raised varyingamounts.

Concerts, race meet-ings, sports days,gymkhanas, bazaars,balls and special collec-tions were held in anever-ending stream.

Donations alsoincluded fruit, vegeta-bles, poultry, preserves,milk, cream, flowers,cakes and books.

During 1890 meatcost a little over 10/-perweek, fruit 5/-, vegeta-bles 3/- and bread 3/6.The hospital drugs,including brandy andwhisky accounted for 17pence per week.

In 1903, the hospital’sfinance sub-committeesuggested the year bedivided into three mainfundraising activities:

1. The Friendly

Societies be asked tocontinue to hold theirannual demonstrationon or about the firstweekend in October

2. The clergy ofthe district be invited todeclare a Sunday inJanuary, HospitalSunday. One or thewhole of the collectionson that day to be devot-ed to the hospital.

3. A general col-lection be madethroughout the wholedistrict on a Saturday inMay each year and thatit be known as HospitalSaturday. - door knock-ing by the ladies.

In October 1915 anEgg Day at the DistrictSchoolresulted in 61dozen eggs being deliv-ered to the Hospital.

In May 1917 the firstLinen Day was held forthe Hospital.

The main itemsreceived were 91 bathtowels, 54 sheets, 147 pil-low slips and 15 tea tow-els which did much toreplenish the linen sup-plies.

At the BerrimaDistrict Cottage Hospital100 years ago, nursingand medical staff werefaced with what wouldtoday be consideredintolerable conditions.

There was no water

supply and no hot water.Water was drawn

from a well in thegrounds and an under-ground tank near thebuilding.

The only heatingavailable was from woodfires in the wards.

There was no electric-ity, not even any gaslight.

There were no tele-phones.

When a doctor wasneeded at the hospital amessage was sent byhand.

There was no sewer-age, the night cart wascalled twice a week andemptied the pans.

The doctors visitedthe hospital on horse-back or via horse-drawnvehicle. There was noambulance service.

Patients were movedaround the district byhorse-drawn dray andthose needing moreintensive care than wasavailable, were trans-ported to Sydney on therailway.

During the first fourmonths, 12 patients wereadmitted - nine male andthree females.

Six were discharged,two were relieved andfour died.

The average length ofstay for each patient was27 days.

Ladies a gift to hospital Photo supplied.



By Eliza Winkler

THEY say that being anurse is more than just ajob, but a way of life. Aspart of the Bowral andDistrict Hospital’s 125thcelebrations, formermatron Nancy Reynoldsreflects on her nursingcareer in an industrythat she has seen revo-lutionise first hand.

Working as a nurseand matron for the hos-pital for almost 40 years,Ms Reynolds said thehospital was a “specialplace, not just a build-ing but with a heart of itsown”.

“I was 27-years-oldwhen I became a

matron and startednursing when I was 23 in1950,” she said.

“The hospital hasgrown with the popula-tion, the significantincreases in medica-tion, the role of the gen-eral practitioner (GP)has changed and ofcourse social changes.

“For every improve-ment you have to losesomething and that isjust life. The personaland family part haschanged but you justhave to keep up andadjust with the times.

“I’m in support of thenew system and it haschanged because socie-ty has changed.”

Aside from advance-ments in medical tech-nologies and thehospital developments,Ms Reynolds was thefirst nurse and womanto attend the Bowralhospital board meet-ings.

“I approached thechairman of the hospi-tal board and asked if Icould start attendingthe meetings,” MsReynolds said.

“The men were mak-ing all the decisions,which directly affectedthe staff and thepatients but they hadlittle to do with the gen-eral runnings of the hos-pital.”

Former matronreflects on alife of nursing

Nancy Reynolds. Photo by Eliza Winkler

• Same Day Emergency Appointments • Children’s Dentistry • Sports Mouthguards • Zoom Teeth Whitening • Hospital Day Surgery • Wisdom Teeth Extractions • Oral Surgery • Metal Free Porcelain Crowns • Bridges & Veneers • Fun & Relaxed Environment

NARELLAN

DENTAL CARE EMERGENCIES & TOOTHACHES

ALL NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

Dental Hygienist / Dental Therapist

(Children’s Dentistry) Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Happy Gas)

& General Anaesthesia Available

Providing Quality Dental Care For The Whole Family For Over 21 Years

Honorary Associate of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney Clinical Tutor

NARELLAN 4647 1132 OPEN 6 DAYS

Dr. Mich ael Burge ss & Associates

www.narellandentalcare.com.au

Dental Surgeon Suites 3 & 4,

332 Camden Valley Way, Narellan

Eftpos & Direct Claim on Health Funds Available

• Same Day Emergency Appointments • Children’s Dentistry • Sports Mouthguards • Zoom Teeth Whitening • Hospital Day Surgery • Wisdom Teeth Extractions • Oral Surgery • Metal Free Porcelain Crowns • Bridges & Veneers • Fun & Relaxed Environment

NARELLAN

DENTAL CARE EMERGENCIES & TOOTHACHES

ALL NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

Dental Hygienist / Dental Therapist

(Children’s Dentistry) Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Happy Gas)

& General Anaesthesia Available

Providing Quality Dental Care For The Whole Family For Over 21 Years

Honorary Associate of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney Clinical Tutor

NARELLAN 4647 1132 OPEN 6 DAYS

Dr. Mich ael Burge ss & Associates

www.narellandentalcare.com.au

Dental Surgeon Suites 3 & 4,

332 Camden Valley Way, Narellan

Eftpos & Direct Claim on Health Funds Available

MITTAGONGDental Care

1367

827

MITTAGONGDENTAL CARE

MITTAGONG 4871 2384OPEN 6 DAYS

45 Main St, Mittagong 2575

www.mittagongdentalcare.com.au

EMERGENCIES & TOOTHACHES

gnidivorp ecitcarP lareneG detidercca na era eW :gnidulcni secivres fo egnar evisneherpmoc a

emocleW stneitaP weN

TEERTS LARWOB ECITCARP LACIDEM

3346 1684 H/A

ua.moc.pmsb.www

3813 1684

htlaeH s’nemoW htlaeH s’neM

gninnalP ylimaF scirtaireG

secivreS eraC dlihC etelpmoC tnemeganaM recnaC nikS

enicideM stropS dna lairtsudnI snoitaniccaV / enicideM levarT

noitaniccaV reveF wolleY ertn eC

kciS eeS ot ruovaednE eW yaD emaS e ht nerdlihC

Dr Chris Alexander Dr Claire Etheridge Dr Geoff Dowe Dr Grant Lewis Dr Jennifer Loxton Dr Mark Wilson Dr Naing Win

Dr Natalie Jonker Dr Nicholas Lo Dr Penny Knowlden Dr Randall Kelly Dr Rebecca Pelly Dr Stephen Barnett Dr Tess Van Duuren

larwoB ,teertS larwoB 07/1 etiuS

Alicia Mah - Nurse Practitioner Heather Gale - Lactation Consultant

gnidivorp ecitcarP lareneG detidercca na era eW :gnidulcni secivres fo egnar evisneherpmoc a

emocleW stneitaP weN

TEERTS LARWOB ECITCARP LACIDEM

3346 1684 H/A

ua.moc.pmsb.www

3813 1684

htlaeH s’nemoW htlaeH s’neM

gninnalP ylimaF scirtaireG

secivreS eraC dlihC etelpmoC tnemeganaM recnaC nikS

enicideM stropS dna lairtsudnI snoitaniccaV / enicideM levarT

noitaniccaV reveF wolleY ertn eC

kciS eeS ot ruovaednE eW yaD emaS e ht nerdlihC

Dr Chris Alexander Dr Claire Etheridge Dr Geoff Dowe Dr Grant Lewis Dr Jennifer Loxton Dr Mark Wilson Dr Naing Win

Dr Natalie Jonker Dr Nicholas Lo Dr Penny Knowlden Dr Randall Kelly Dr Rebecca Pelly Dr Stephen Barnett Dr Tess Van Duuren

larwoB ,teertS larwoB 07/1 etiuS

Alicia Mah - Nurse Practitioner Heather Gale - Lactation Consultant


Bowral & District Hospital celebrates 125 years“Before that, nurse

input was a letter that Iwrote which was readout by the secretary dur-ing the meetings.

“Initially most of theboard didn’t see the needto have me there but Itold the chairman that Iwould have felt the needto resign if they had saidno.

“So they said I couldattend, but only if I spokewhen I was spoken to,but that didn’t last long Icouldn’t keep my mouthshut.

“In a round about wayit changed the role of thenurses and gave themmore of a say.”

Another big changeduring her time at thehospital was the shift innurse training and edu-cation, which moved offsite and into universityenvironments.

“It was a very interest-ing time,” she said.

“They ceased thenurse training onsite andmoved it to the IllawarraSchool of Nursing at theUniversity ofWollongong and Ibecame the chairpersonof that committee.

“It was the first pro-gram to be set up in thestate and essentially thebeginning of broadertraining and education

for nurses.”Bowral and District

Hospital first opened in1889 with a capacity ofsix patients and no resi-dent GPs. Matrons andnurses lived in theadjoining nursing quar-ters and doctors were on-call for requiredemergency, surgery andgeneral check-ups.

“If there was an acci-dent and there was nodoctor at the hospital wehad to call them in andtake care of the patientuntil they could getthere,” Ms Reynolds said.

“That helped to reallygrow a strong relation-ship between the staffand the doctors. It waslike a family, because wewere all carers of the dis-trict and we all worked asa team.

“But it wasn’t justwork, we really got toknow one another. Whena nurse clocked off dutywe all helped finish upand all went off together.

“I really enjoyed it, Iwas happy and I stillthink of the hospital as afamily and I still feel partof it.”

Ms Reynolds retiredas matron in 1990 butremained working onthe Bowral HospitalAuxiliary, Hearts of theHighlands and as a

Fellow of the Universityof Wollongong

“If someone is in oneposition for a long periodof time, they canbecome stagnant and Imade sure that didn’thappen with me,” MsReynolds said.

“I’ve always stayedinvolved in the changes,the training and devel-opments.

“I followed my careerpath, I love nursing andanyone who does itnowadays has a genuinelove for the industry.”

Nancy Reynolds gavea lecture on April 2 whichwas presented with a lec-ture by Dr Simon Grant.

Dr Grant is a seniorstaff specialist andshared his interest inplants, specifically rareand exotic maple treesand medicinal plantsincluding the opiumpoppy and camellia.Following the lecturethere was a flag raisingceremony. Other cele-bration events includeda restored quilt display,reburshiment of hospitalgardens, staff awardnight and an art compe-tition for local schools.For more info visitwww.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/bowral125 and go to the“What’s On” page forevent details.

IN December of 1889 a man wasemployed once a week in summerand once a month in winter to giveattention to the grounds.Succeeding committees wereconcerned about the perfect lookof the grounds and maintenanceof the property. Mention is fre-quently made of the purchase oftrees and plants for the enhance-ment of the Hospital. Fifty pinus

insignus trees, donated by theDirector General of Forests in 1897, were planted along the hospital’ssouthern boundary. In 1892, 25pounds was spent on ornamentaltrees for planting on either side ofthe carriage drive. In 1894, 750 plants were pur-chased to plant a hedge on theother boundaries and in 1895 afence was erected round the veg-

etable garden. The public wasinvited to visit the hospital and thegrounds.

For many years a large veg-etable garden was maintainedand the wardsman was respon-sible for milking the hospitalcow. About a dozen fruit treesprovided fresh fruit in season.The hospital’s own fowls provid-ed the kitchen with fresh eggs.

Self-sufficient hospitalPhoto supplied.

Business ProfileOur eyes are our most precious asset and OPSMBowral are passionate about protecting them.

Michael Kivrak is the new business owner at OPSMBowral and is already building up a reputation fornurturing his customers and ensuring they look aftertheir eyes on a regular basis.It is evident, that despite having taken over asbusiness owner of OPSM a short month ago, Michaelhas fallen in love with his new home and the peopleof the region.“I love it here – and couldn’t be happier. My staff areabsolutely wonderful and so dedicated to thisprofession and our customers and of course theSouthern Highlands is the most beautiful place to be,”he said.With 18 years experience as an Optometrist,Michael’s special interest is eye health and pathology.“Cataracts, Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma cango undetected – so it is essential everyone books aregular eye-test so these issues can be tackled at anearly stage,” he said.In fact, it’s regular trips to this optometrist that shouldbe part of everybody’s annual health check.“Keeping your prescriptions up-to-date and your eyeshealthy at any age should be part of our lives,” hesaid.With three children of his own, Michael is especiallyinterested in the younger generation and making suretheir eyes are looked after all the time.“Our children need to be able to see properly at schooland reading is the backbone of their education. If theystruggle at any point – then it could be an eye-checkis necessary,”A trip to your optometrist is not an expensive exercise– with 90 per cent of costs being bulk-billed.Book an appointment now to see Michael and hisfriendly, helpful staff at OPSM Bowral – and secure

the health of your eyes for life.

Shop 3, 350 Bong Bong St

BOWRAL 2576

(cnr Boolwey St) 4862 1190

‘located within OPSM’

MICHAEL KIVRAKOPTOMETRIST

Owner Operator dedicated to

servicing all areas for optical

needs in The Southern Highland

region

� 18 years of Experience� Old Fashioned Service� Bulk Billing available

(conditions apply)

� Childrens Vision� Contact Lenses� RTA Forms� Referrals to Opthalmologist� Retinal Scan

1362

235

Lady Rose FuneralsA proud, locally owned & family operated business SERVICING THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

www.ladyrosefunerals.com.au

Proud history of service to the community of theSouthern Highlands.

Committed to upholding professional standardsTailored to your financial or religious requirements

Local funeral directors on call at all times.Chapel Services Available.

1365303

Understanding with simplicity and dignity

36 Bowral Street, Bowral 25764862 1833

FOR A SMALL

MONTHLY FEE,

PRE-PAID FUNERAL

ARRANGEMENTS

ARE NOW

AVAILABLE



IF you were thinking of acareer in medicine in theearly days - here is a sum-mary of the requirementsthat a good doctor need-ed when Berrima DistrictHospital was first estab-lished.

“The ability and desireto understand people;awareness of his lack ofability and shortcom-ings.”

“In other words alwayslearning; he must have ahighly developed, inquir-ing and receptive mindwhich helps in diagnosis;he does not have to be abrilliant academic; hemust be a humble personaware that he has beengiven a licence only sothat he can help people-and gain more knowl-edge; he must have ahighly logical mind.”

In the pioneering days,most of the doctors in thedistrict lived in Berrima.

They travelled roundthe district either onhorseback or in horse-

drawn vehicles in allkinds of weather, as theycared for the sick in theirown homes.

As early as January1890, reference wasmade to the desirabilityof having all medicalgentlemen in the districtassociated with the hos-pital.

It was decided thenthat the hospital medicalofficers must be resi-dents in Bowral and allother medical gentle-men of the district wouldbe consulting honorarymedical officers.

The workload at theCottage Hospital in theearly days was not greatfor the medical officersdue to the small numberof beds.

After 10 years, thedaily average of patientswas only 4.8.

In fact, at times therewas no patients in thehospital, as occurred inApril 1894 when therewas no medical report

submitted to the com-mittee meeting as therewere no patients in theHospital.

Until 1896 operationsat the hospital, thoughnot great in number,were performed in thewards, often in full viewof the patients.

The light was poorand facilities non-exis-tent.

In September 1896,Drs Fisher and Vallackdecided to ask for the useof the room in which thecommittee met, to per-form their operations.

The surgeons contin-ued to work in this roomuntil the first operatingroom was completed inNovember 1898.

George NewtonSwinson, a linealdescendant of Sir IsaacNewton, was one of thefirst four medical officersappointed to the CottageHospital on 28 August1889.

Hospital takes tripdown memory lane

Photo supplied

• Designer spectacles & sunglasses

• Eye Examinations & computerised visual fields

All Bulk Billed

• Latest technology in spectacle lenses & contact lenses

• OCT and digital retinal imaging for early detection of

macular degeneration & diabetic retinopathy.

Instant health fund claims available

Large range of frames with packages available

TAHMOOR Ph: 4683 1249Shop 3, Tahmoor Town Centre

*Eyepower Mittagong has moved to Bowral:

BOWRAL Ph: 4862 4144Shop 2/328 Bong Bong St, Bowral

AW

1371

275

WHERE YOU ARE A PATIENT NOT A CUSTOMER

Sew Many Stitches • 4628 4437Shop 4, Level 2, 147 Queen Street, Campbelltown (Spotlight Arcade)

[email protected]

Brother DreamWeaver VQ 2400

JanomeMC8900

Bernina 350Special Edition

$2,999+BONUS

$2,999

$1,799SPECIAL

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

1385417

Documents

Bowral 125 year anniversary feature - NSW Health · Hospital is an essential entity in the Southern Highlands and had an auspicious beginning on Monday, July 27, ... (The Ladies’