Gloucester Soldiers Memorial Hospital

About

The memorial is an 80 bed hospital complex, consisting of a 20 bed acute ward, a 15 bed aged care transitional ward, a 25 bed nursing home and a 20 bed hostel. It is a two story brick building with a tiled roof. There is a large alcove entryway at the front of the complex. The hospital was established in the 1950s, following years of discussion and planning. It was designed by the NSW Government Architect's Office. The architecture is typical of a functional building constructed in the post-Second World War period. The foundation stone was laid by the Minister for Health on 24 September 1955 and the hospital was opened on 1 June 1957. The Gloucester Nursing Home part of the complex was opened on 13 November 1975. Access inside the hospital is restricted to its opening times.  History The move to establish a memorial hospital in Gloucester commenced following the First World War. By the time a meeting was held on 15 September 1919, the hospital movement had £1,185 in the bank and three acres of land worth £170. At the meeting, it was moved a memorial be erected to be known as the Gloucester Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (Gloucester Advocate, 17 September 1919). Although the hospital committee continued, the last meeting was held on 24 October 1923. The movement had lapsed because it could not meet the "demands and requirements of the government" (Gloucester Advocate, 31 January 1930). In January 1930, the matter of the hospital was revived at a committee meeting held in the Shire Chambers (Gloucester Advocate, 31 January 1930). In 1934, the Chamber of Commerce raised the matter again and the Returned Soldiers' League in Gloucester had also offered its support. At a public meeting on 29 April 1935, "the following resolution was carried: "That the time is opportune for the establishment of a public hospital for Gloucester" (Gloucester Advocate, 30 April 1935). At that stage, the movement had approximately £4,300 including two legacies. However, the depression had influenced the movement. At a further meeting of the committee held in the School of Arts on Tuesday 3 September 1935, "it was unanimously decided to immediately approach the Government in regard to establishing the long-delayed hospital at Gloucester" (Gloucester Advocate, 6 September 1935). At a meeting of the Gloucester Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Board of Directors on Saturday 1 May 1937, "it was decided to instruct the Hospitals Commission to proceed with the acquisition of the new site decided upon and when that was finalised to call tenders for the erection of the proposed hospital" (Gloucester Advocate, 4 May 1937). On 29 April 1940, the commission approved the erection of the hospital to the extent of £5,000. During the Second World War, there was an attempt to move the hospital funds into the War Loan; however, this was rejected by the board. In early February 1945, the hospital committee received a report from the commission advising plans and specifications had been prepared, as well as estimated costs. Despite these moves, it was only in February 1951 that the Secretary of the board received a letter from the Minister for Health, the Hon. M. O'Sullivan, stating tenders for the erection of a hospital would be invited as soon as possible. On Sunday 14 October 1951, the Minister, Dr. Lilley and Mr Stinson of the commission, the Government Architect Mr Cobden Parkes and Mr R.L. Fitzgerald M.L.A. met the committee to discuss building of the hospital (Gloucester Advocate, 16 October 1951). Tenders for construction were called on 1 October 1954 and announced in the Gloucester Advocate that day.