Birchip Campus History

Following the imminent closure of the private hospital of Sisters ’ Bunworth, a public meeting was called by the shire president Cr J Green to discuss the position. The meeting formed a provisional committee to report back to a further meeting. The subsequent meeting on the 17/3/1942 resolved to join the Victoria Bush Nursing Association and appointed a committee under the leadership of Mr JR Sheridan to process the provision of a hospital service. 

The committee rented the private hospital for twelve months at 2 pounds per week with the provision for a further 10/- per week if a profit was made. In fact a profit of 4 pounds was made and the extra rental was paid. It continued to operate at that location for a period of 30 years. 

In November of 1943 Mrs Agnes Barber donated her substantial brick home to the community for the use as a hospital. Considerable redevelopment was made to the building as it took a long time due to war time shortages of materials and skilled workman. The community provided the funds and the new hospital was officially opened as a 14 bed unit by Hon K Dodgshuyn, Chief Secretary on the 21/11/1945.  

Since that date many additions and alterations have been made to the building to provide for the needs of the community and to comply with the requirements of the health departments. The additions included a nurses home, laundry and the George Rickard Wing containing wards and outpatient facilities. It was named in honour of the then president of the committee for his outstanding services to the hospital. Upgrades were carried out from time to time. A nurses home, matrons flat and a new kitchen were among these additional facilities. 

In 1988 the complete redevelopment of the hospital was completed providing for 10 acute beds at a cost of $825000.00. All of these funds were provided by the community in a fund raising program. The program raised $540292.00 over a three year period. In 1985 a 10 bed free standing nursing home was constructed as a cost of $503999.00 of which the federal government provided $176876.00. 

The Hospital has been supported since 1942 by the establishment of the Ladies Auxiliary which continue to support the hospital in donations of equipment as required. The hospital is also supported by the Bingo committee which also supports the hospital with donations of equipment as required.