"By 1874 Glen Innes and the surrounding district was starting to feel the need for adequate education, health care and entertainment. A petition for the establishment of a Hospital from concerned citizens was submitted to the Municipal Council in 1873..."
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So commences beloved nurse Jeannie Ross Fraser's book Glen Innes Hospital 1874-1956.
Her mother Margaret Pearl Chaffey was the first graduate nurse at this hospital. which is now The Land of the Beardies History House Museum and Research Centre.
Matron Madeleine Isaacs and Archie Weir supervised the transition from the old hospital to a new one in 1956 and the new building was officially opened on Saturday May 12, 1956.
Back L-R: Kay Brennan, Nancy Franey, Marie Stace, Lorraine McBurnie, Leonie McRae, Matron Isaacs, Val Munsie, Moya Galvin, Barbara Royal, Dorothy Hallam, Beverley Smart Front: Jessie Larter, Gloria Latimore, Pauline Mitchell, Lorraine Waddell, Ann Ascoli, June Tarrant, W. Townsend, Nancy Lane.
Of these trainees Val Munsie won the Boydell Surgical Nursing Award, June Tarrant, Mr Kerr's prize 2nd year nursing, Wilga (?) Townsend Dr Lynch's prize for Physiology and Anatomy plus Matron Isaac's prize for General and Practical Nursing, Barbara Royal, Mr Weir's prize for General Neatness; Pauline Mitchell Miss Crommelin's prize for Initiative and Improvement.
On Australia Day January 26, 2020 the historical society will celebrate the golden anniversary of 50 years of the original building being repurposed as a museum.
Photos depicting the history of the society and museum and will be on show on the day and we appeal for any we may scan to add to the story.
Mark the date to come to the Australia Day Functions from the free breakfast to the community awards with Australia Day Ambassador Graham Wilson, a Village Fair with stalls and demonstrations and food and drink and entertainment, children's activities, antiques appraisals, car rally, model train, displays of Illuminated addresses, and very importantly the opening of the Jeannie Ross Fraser Memorial Medical Wing at 2pm.
We particularly invite nursing and other colleagues of Jeannie's from her many community interests and anyone who has had a connection with the hospital and historical society.