Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital was officially opened by His Excellency the Governor, Lord Huntingfield, and Lady Huntingfield on 7 September 1934. 90 years later, Central Highlands Rural Health will celebrate the rich history of Trentham Health with a community dinner on Saturday 7 September 2024 at The Cosmopolitan Hotel.
The three-course dinner will be hosted by The Hon. Mary Delahunty and will feature special guest speakers to reflect on the history and future of Trentham Health. The event will also showcase a silent auction of new and pre-loved art that will raise funds for the residential aged care, community health and community nursing services located in Trentham.
Susan Jennings, Director of Clinical Operations said,
“The community are invited to join us to celebrate this milestone for the Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital, now Trentham Health. We look forward to sharing many incredible stories of the care Trentham locals have for one another. We are very grateful to The Cosmopolitan Hotel for supporting this event.”
Mary Walsh, former Trentham Health staff member said,
“It’s wonderful to be celebrating the history of the hospital. It will be an important opportunity for the community to show their ongoing support for their local health service.”
The people of Trentham were instrumental in the establishment of the hospital as they banded together to finance the project along with funds from the Argus Trust. The foundation stone was laid on 4 June 1934 with Mr Frost MLA stating “If hospitals were established in Central and North Australia settlement would follow.”
In 1936, Dr Gwyneth Wisewould arrived and served the community until her death on 19 January 1972. “Dr Gwen died from a heart attack she suffered during a committee meeting of the Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital. In her surgery were piles of unsent bills going back decades – yet no patient ever went unattended whatever the time of night, however poor or dirty.” *
One of the hospital’s first babies continues to be one of its longest-serving supporters, Kit Manning, Trentham Hospital Auxiliary member is still actively raising funds for local healthcare to this day along with Cath O’Connell, Valerie Smith, Ruth White, Janet Sims, Wilma Groves, Karen Gibb, Margot McKinnon and Maree Evans. The Auxiliary will co-host an afternoon tea for residents in Trentham Aged Care to celebrate the milestone occasion.
The Trentham & District Historical Society will be co-hosting an exhibition of hospital memorabilia with Central Highlands Rural Health at the Mechanics Institute on Saturday 7 September. Locals are encouraged to share stories and information about Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital with Kathryn Kosloff, Fundraising Manager, via giving@chrh.org.au
The Trentham community are invited to buy a ticket to the dinner and also consider donating new or pre-loved art to the health service. For more information please visit www.chrh.org.au/donate or contact Kathryn Kosloff, Fundraising Manager, via giving@chrh.org.au or 0439 705 039
PHOTOS:
- Rod Hughes, owner of The Cosmopolitan Hotel, met with Trentham Health’s Kathryn Kosloff, Nicolle Sawyer, Tracey Michalczak & Susan Jennings.
- Rod Hughes with Kathryn Kosloff, Fundraising Manager for Central Highlands Rural Health
- Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital c/o Trentham and District Historical Society
