RICHMOND & BURNLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Lower Level Richmond Library : 3/415 Church Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121 Open: By appointment only Phone: 03 9427 1800 Email: [email protected] Website: http//home.vicnet.net.au/~rbhs/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RichmondBurnleyHistoricalSociety Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondhs3121/ Reg. No: A 000 719 6b ABN: 55 900 596 374 VOLUME 37-1 AUGUST 2020 NEWSLETTER MAJOR SPONSOR From humble beginnings with a 25-bed community hospital in Richmond, to the largest not-for-profit private hospital group in the Victoria, Epworth has become a key part of the state’s health landscape. AFFILIATED WITH Established on the original site of Yalcowinna, the stately home of Sir William Highett (originally with 13 rooms) in Erin Street. The Epworth hospital’s growth and expansion dominates Richmond’s western skyline. It’s acquisition of adjoining properties includes the Bethesda Hospital (established 1904 which This link to https://vimeo.com/394835258 was previously a twenty room mansion called Vimeo illustrates the construction of the hospital ‘Millewa’, the country retreat of Robert from its early days to the current layout of the Hoddle; Leigh House Ladies School where main Erin Street buildings. Dame Nellie Melba boarded, which was previously the site of Joseph Bosisto’s earlier The mural above is located in the Bridge Road home and eucalyptus works. Epworth also entrance to the Hospital, depicting the history of expanded to include the property called ‘Elim’ the hospital through nursing, medical, surgical in Erin Street, this was originally called and pastoral care. Yooralbyn when the property was built by Epworth’s Richmond expansion has developed merchant William Harper. This is now the the state of the art medical, surgical and Rehabilitation Centre with the hydrotherapy diagnostic facilities. These include extensive pool. Allied Health Services, Cardiac, Oncology, Orthopaedic, Endocrinology, ENT, Dialysis, ‘Millewa’ Cnr. Erin St & Normanby Pl. Richd. Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Neurosciences and many more specialised clinics. The 24 hour emergency department has access to extensive diagnostic equipment and experienced doctors and nurses. Epworth’s property footprint has expanded to many other suburbs, providing access to wider facilities for treatment and rehabilitation. The most recent is the opening of the modern facility in Geelong. Richmond & Burnley Historical Society acknowledges the Wurundjeri-william people as the traditional custodians of the land. Today, they remain the custodians of the cultural heritage of this land and we pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. RICHMOND & BURNLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AUGUST 2020 PAGE 1 EPWORTH, from the beginning: From this point the growth of Epworth commenced, by 1921, the hospital had thirty-four beds, and twelve nursing Epworth began from the inspiration of the Reverend staff. Later the hospital established a Nurse Training William J. Palamountain, a Methodist Minister. He was School. Extensions were made to the building, including treated in 1912 at the Salvation Army’s Bethesda the Cato Wing which was opened in 1924. Hospital in Erin Street, Richmond. Bethesda was an The hospital expansion included purchasing the adjoining Intermediate Hospital, bridging the gap between the Rocke Thompsitt property facing Bridge Road. This was a Public and twelve roomed house on about an acre of land. This was to P r i v a t e become the nurses’ quarters. Hospitals. Rev. Palamountain By 1929, with the need for was convinced further expansion, the hospital t h a t t h e purchased Leigh House, which M e t h o d i s t stood on land 121 feet by 116 Church should feet adjoining the hospital in have a similar Leigh Place for £1,100. The hospital of its dilapidated house was own. reconditioned and became nursing accommodation, until He discussed his ideas and finally three years later, a the permanent Nurses’ Home was realised. committee was appointed to consider the creation of a Methodist Hospital. Rev. Palamountain was the During 1940, two more adjoining properties were convener. The committee included F.J. Cato, Aaron purchased; one was a two storey brick dwelling bought for Danks, G. Sweet, T. Lockwood, and Dr Wilkinson. £2,190 and the other, Bosisto’s factory premises bought Later in 1915, Mr Danks donated a two-story brick for £6,000. The land gave a frontage to Erin Street of about house and land in Hawthorn, however the committee 105 feet and a depth of 160 feet. felt that it was not suitable. The church accepted the property and continued to look for other options for The growth of the hospital relied on the donations from their hospital. By 1916, the committee were the community, the many benefactors, auxiliaries and considering purchasing either a fully equipped volunteers. Together, with the nursing, medical, specialists, hospital in Malvern or a mansion on two and three catering, maintenance and support staff, have continued to quarter acres in Kew. Neither of these options were expand the capacity and capability of this world class taken up. hospital in Richmond. The committee were looking for a property closer to the city. In 1918, the property called Yalcowinna on PRESIDENT’S REPORT: David Langdon Richmond Hill, consisting of large mansion of twenty- five rooms and on one and a half acres of land was History and crisis, the COVID19 has disrupted our lives in for sale for £6,225. Mr Danks having provided the many ways. A threat to our health and well-being, the Hawthorn property, contributed a further £6,000 to economy and employment, and where life seemed secure, purchase the property. The Hawthorn property was we were not equipped to manage this terrible pandemic. sold for £1,050 to provide additional funds for Our society is still operating behind the scenes, responding renovations. The Richmond property was eventually to enquiries, book sales, social media, donations of items purchased for £6,000. and updating our computers. The planned events were The Methodist Conference established a fund raising cancelled in response to lock-downs and compounded by committee, where all their churches were able to the curfews. The newsletters had articles that would have contribute to the building of their hospital. coincided with the events earlier in the year; hoping that they could have commenced, and are now published in this The Committee spent time considering the name of larger publication. Thanks to those who contributed the the hospital, and came up with ‘Epworth’ and articles. ‘Wesley’. In 1919, it was agreed that the hospital should be ‘Epworth’, the name of the village in It is great that we welcome our new members and Lincolnshire England where John Wesley, the founder hopefully as things get better, we can meet them at one of of Methodism, was born in 1703. our events. The first Matron of Epworth was Miss Gray, a member Planning ahead is still doubtful and any gatherings are of the Methodist Church, who trained at the unlikely as the potential risk for community infection is Melbourne Hospital, was Matron of Perth Hospital, too great. We have set a date for the AGM, and depending served with the Amy in France and in England, as on circumstances, this will more than likely be conducted Matron of the Harefield Military hospital during the with Zoom video conferencing. We will update you on the 1914-1918 war. Miss Gray commenced as Matron of Website and through Facebook, as well as the new Epworth on the 1st June 1920. communication ‘Tales’ of old Richmond. Epworth was officially opened on Friday 27th Congratulations to Judith Smart who was awarded the February1920. The hospital did not admit patients Member of the Order of Australia AM, for significant until Matron Gray took charge in June. Acting Matron service to education, to social research, and to women. Jones completed much of the preparatory work prior This year and next year are some significant century to the admission of patients. There were initially celebrations. Our next newsletter, will focus on history and twenty-five beds, a staff of nine, comprising the heritage. If you have any ideas or items to contribute let us Matron, five nursing staff, a house maid, a kitchen know and we can include them in our publications. maid and a cook. In the meantime, stay safe and well. RICHMOND & BURNLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AUGUST 2020 PAGE 2 Tales from WELCOME TO OUR NEW Old Richmond: MEMBERS The mail chimp program has The Committee of Management have approved been set up by Peter Fitton for the society to and welcome our new members to the society. provide a more spontaneous communication and We look forward to your participation in our messaging to our members with email events and activities. (Post COVID) addresses. Peter has generously offered to manage this Joseph Battanta Susan Hart medium and it will help us to connect you with Jenny McNally Helena Kidd much more information in a timely manner. Jessica Hardwick Cathie Wheelahan If you wish to communicate any ideas, images, Leon McDonald Alan Scott events or items, send them to Peter so he can Katerina Kotsonis Isabella Parker include these in the email distribution. We will still have the regular newsletter published three times a year. (except this year due to COVID) ACQUISITIONS Want to receive Tales with our compliments? Thank you for your kind donation of item Email [email protected], stating your name and to include in the society’s collection email address. Noman Faifer -Table Top hotplate and oven We need your help to update our records and to manufactured in Richmond. enable you to receive ‘Tales from Old Richmond’ Bill Graham -Bryant & May commemorative by email. If you receive the hard copy of the match boxes and marketing information.