Kyogle Memorial Hospital

About

The Kyogle Memorial Hospital was built between 1924 and 1925, in honour of those from the district who served in the First World War. It was first dedicated on 31 March 1925. The hospital was redeveloped in 2003 and replaced by a modern health facility, which was opened on 28 November 2005. The complex was renamed Kyogle Memorial Health and rededicated to the memory of all men and women who have served in the Australian Defence Forces. It was rededicated again on 25 April 2007.  The new hospital retains two important historical features. Firstly, the foundation stone is inset into the brick wall to the left of the main entrance doors. It was originally laid on 5 November 1924 by Mrs Southam, a mother of a deceased soldier. Secondly, the brick gateway that was erected in 1937 still faces Summerland Way, and acts as a pedestrian entry to the grounds. It was established in honour of the late George Brooks, the first president of the hospital, by his brothers in the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. The gateway previously included a brick wall and metal gates but the gates themselves have been removed, leaving only the brick arch. While the gateway is not a war memorial, it bears the original name of the hospital.  History A public meeting was held in the School of Arts in November 1918 to consider a soldiers' memorial in Kyogle. One proposal agreed to was construction of a Kyogle Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. The name Kyogle Memorial Hospital was adopted in 1919. Initially, the NSW Government was not prepared to fund the project, unless the Hospital Committee was prepared to accept departmental plans. By November 1924, the Health Department had accepted the tender from builders Holland and Thorne and plans designed by Colonel F. J. Board of Lismore. While a plaque on site states the hospital was opened on 6 May 1925, newspaper coverage at the time gives the date as 31 March. The event was originally scheduled for May but was brought forward (The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser, 2 March 1925). The official opening was performed by Councillor R. J. Moore. The Richmond River Express, 1 April 1925, published a detailed account of the day and stated: Cr. Moore said the occasion was an historic one. In 1911 a movement was first made towards erecting a district hospital. The war had intervened, and held the matter up. A move was again made in 1919, and the result was one to be proud of. When he turned the key that afternoon it would be to open a fine modern building entirely free from debt.