COBDEN DISTRICT HEALTH CELEBRATES ‘50’ YEARS!
5th November 2008
Cobden District Health Services Inc., formally Cobden Bush Nursing Hospital, is celebrating 50 years of service, 1958 to 2008.From the beginning, the communities of Cobden & district have worked very hard for the establishment of this hospital and continue to support the health service and its goals in many ways. In the 1920s and 1030s, Cobden had five private hospitals but after time, these facilities all closed. In August, 1944, a public meeting was held chaired by the Heytesbury Shire President, Cr. A.J. Hill, and the town was very supportive of a Bush Nursing Hospital in Cobden.
From 1944 through to 1956, committees were established to raise funds to put towards the building of a hospital. The Hon. E.F. Guye, MLA for Polwarth, was one of the strongest advocates and had arranged many deputations with the goal to secure Government support and funding for a hospital. In May, 1956, Mr Guye was successful in arranging a deputation with the Hon. H.e. Bolte, Premier of Victoria which resulted in a six-bed Bush Nursing Hospital for Cobden and district.
In late July 1957, construction commenced on the Cobden Hospital. By October, the building was half completed. The Building Committee decided that this was the time to lay a foundation stone. On November 8th, 1957, the premier Sir Henry Bolte officially lay the foundation stone for the first hospital in Cobden.
After continued fundraising and donations by all the service groups in the district, the hospital was ready to open. On February 21, 1958, the Hon. H. E. Bolte, MLA (Premier of Victoria) officially opened the Cobden and District Bush Nursing Hospital.
Additional history to the hospital is as follows:
1958 = 6 beds
1962 = +4 beds
1964 = +2 beds with outpatient services
1968 = Clinic added
1971 = +6 beds
1975 = +2 beds, totaling 20 now.
In Sept. 1982, granted 14 Nursing Home beds (Lovely Banks) In October 1991, granted additional 16 Nursing Home beds (Lovely Banks-Stage 2) Heytesbury Lodge opened in February 1996
Former Bush Nursing Hospital beds closed in June, 1998
A special celebration is planned for Sunday, 9th November, 2008 at the health service from 11:00am to 2:00pm. On the day, there will be a barbeque, music, tours and the dedication of a special plaque and tree. All are welcome to come celebrate this special day with us. An open invitation is extended to all previous staff of the hospital over the years.
Quoted by: Mrs Jeannine Creely
Chief Executive Officer Back to Home