On Saturday 7 September 2024, Central Highlands Rural Health celebrated 90 years of the Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital which was officially opened by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Huntingfield on 7 September 1934.
The celebrations included:
- A free exhibition of hospital memorabilia at The Mechanics Trentham (Saturday, 7 September)
- A formal dinner at The Cosmopolitan Hotel (Saturday, 7 September)
- An afternoon tea with residents and volunteers at Trentham Aged Care that was hosted by the Hospital Auxiliary (Tuesday, 10 September)
Many former staff and Trentham locals attended the exhibition on Saturday and the room was filled with cherished memories of time spent at the health service and of people past and present. The exhibition featured old medical instruments, an antique wheelchair, books, articles and reports as well as many photo albums.
A highlight at the event was the interview records with former staff and volunteers Mary Walsh, Kath Morrison, Cath O’Connell, Kit Manning, Joy Justice and current Director of Nursing Tracey Michalczak along with a documentary on Dr Gwen Wisewould provided by Her Place Women’s Museum and a Walsh family video of her funeral.
The interviews can be viewed here:
Dr Gwen Wisewould’s documentary can be viewed here:
The three-course dinner hosted by Central Highlands Rural Health Board Chair, The Hon. Mary Delahunty, featured special guest speakers The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP and Mayor Brian Hood who reflected on the history and future of Trentham Health. Guests were treated to the musical talents of Walsh family members Madelene Sutton, Allison Walsh and Finbarr Walsh who performed an unforgettable acapella rendition of Deborah Cheetham’s Welcome to Country song.
The event also showcased a silent auction of new and pre-loved art and a raffle that together raised just over $3,000 for residential aged care, community health and community nursing services located in Trentham. Special thanks to the Heggie family for generously donating many artworks for the auction.
The final celebration was an afternoon tea for the residents and volunteers at Trentham Aged Care hosted by the Trentham Hospital Auxiliary who catered and decorated the dining room and shared a cuppa with those in attendance. Before singing Happy Birthday and cutting the cake donated by the Trentham Bakery, Trentham Aged Care was presented with a Robert Croft artwork that was purchased from the auction and anonymously donated to the facility for the enjoyment of its residents.
The Auxiliary is run by Cath O’Connell, Valerie Smith, Ruth White, Janet Sims, Wilma Groves, Karen Gibb, Maree Evans and Kit Manning who was one of the first babies to be born in the hospital with her twin sister. The incredible array of foods was enjoyed by all whilst volunteer, Henk Bak, played the piano. The Auxiliary and volunteers were thanked by CHRH’s Executive Director of Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing Officer Susan Jennings and the Director of Nursing Trentham Tracey Michalczak.
Maree Cuddihy, CEO of Central Highlands Rural Health said,
“The events were a wonderful opportunity for the community to celebrate this milestone for the Trentham Bush Nursing Hospital, now Trentham Health. Locals came together to reflect on how they’ve supported one another for many, many decades. I’d like to thank The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP and Mayor Brian Hood for speaking so passionately about healthcare and also the brilliant musicians for performing for us. The events were filled with stories of the past and many new connections were made and I’d like to thank all those who contributed to the occasion. Special thanks must go to Rod and Fiona from the Cosmopolitan Hotel for generously supporting the event as well as Cathy at Spring Hill Nursery for donating plants and supporting our raffle.”
The people of Trentham were instrumental in the establishment of the hospital and have continued to raise funds and volunteer to this day. In 1936, Dr Gwyneth Wisewould arrived and served the community until her death in January 1972. Locals still tell many stories of their beloved Dr Gwen some of which are captured in the interviews with former staff and volunteers.
For more information about Trentham Health or if you’d like to stay in touch please visit www.chrh.org.au or contact Kathryn Kosloff, Fundraising Manager, via kathryn.kosloff@chrh.org.au
Exhibition photos:
Val Davie and Marie Gainger
Cathy Bloomfield & Phyllis Manning
Yolande McKinnis, Joy Justice, Kath Morrison & Sheryl Lamb
Dinner photos:
The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas
Mayor Brian Hood
Allison Walsh, Madelene Sutton & Finbarr Walsh
Afternoon tea photos:
Trentham Hospital Auxiliary members
Tracey Michalczak, Director of Nursing at Trentham Aged Care and Cath O’Connell, President of Trentham Hospital Auxiliary
Sheryl Lamb collecting art from the auction
