COLERAINE HOSPITAL

Coleraine Hospital

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Katanning Grammar School for Boys

Coleraine was originally built as Dr House’s residence, it was referred to as “The Bungalow.” It later became Katanning Boys Grammar School then Coleraine Hospital after being purchased by Sister Harris.

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DR HOUSE

Dr House came to Katanning in 1893 as the first District Medical Officer. In 1906, Dr House built a large bungalow style house for his growing family, the builder being the well-known Alexander Thomson. The house was also used as House’s practice. After the House family left Katanning, their house was sold and used as the Katanning Grammar School for Boys (1929-1934).

In 1934 it was sold again to a Sister Harris and converted into a private maternity hospital and in the 1970s it was used as a boarding facility for high school students.

From Lesley Brown via the Lost Katanning Facebook page

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RAE GUELFI (nee Blundy)

Sister Rae Blundy 1950 after hands-on training at RPH

Written by Rae Guelfie nee Blundy.
(Sister Rae Blundy)

The Blundy’s arrived in the Kent District circa 1910. Grandpa (Alfred John Blundy) took up land on the east side of what is now Titicup Road – extending from Nyabing-Pingrup Road to what is now Reeves Road, naming his property “Hazelwood”.  He also acquired the property on the west side of Titicup Road extending to the cross-roads, naming the property “Callignee” after dad’s birthplace in Victoria.

I left the farm in 1942 and spent the war years at Albany High School. I returned at the end of 1944 and helped Uncle Bill around the farm until it was sold to Bill Badger in 1947. At this time I started nursing training at Royal Perth Hospital completing the course in 1950. I worked for three months at Coleraine Hospital in Katanning, before spending most of 1951 in Adelaide doing midwifery training.

In 1952, I married Albert Guelfi and added four members to the Guelfi dynasty over the next five years

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IN THE NEWS

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Great Southern Herald
20 September 1939

Mrs. Monty Anderson has returned to Broomehill after an operation at Coleraine Private Hospital.
Friend stork has been working overtime again, and during the past few days has left daughters with Mrs. Carl Dilworth, Mrs. J. M. Bowden, Mrs. Boy Cronin, Mrs. Don La vis, of Katanning, and Mrs. Trenear and Mrs. Olman, of Broomehill.
The continuity was broken, however, on Tuesday, when Mrs. C. J. Fitzgerald, of Katanning, received a son. In each case the happy event occurred at the Coleraine Private Hospital.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Great Southern Herald
16 October 1943

The death occurred at Coleraine Private Hospital on Wednesday morning of Mr. Alexander Prosser, of “Happy Valley”, Marracoonda, aged 74 years, after a long period of failing health. The late Mr. Prosser, who came to this district with the Beeck family from South Australia in 1893, was widely known and greatly respected throughout the district.

He was one of the pioneers of Marracoonda and one of the pillars of the Baptist community, the Marracoonda Baptist Church being erected on land given by him for that purpose. During the whole of his life he was deeply interested in public affairs and had been a member of the Katanning Road Board continuously for just on 50 years. His passing will be a loss to the community.

NURSING SHORTAGE
SERIOUS POSITION INDICATED

Great Southern Herald
10 December 1948

The Inspecting Matron from the Medical Department (Matron Bottle), who is visiting Katanning at the request of Sister Harris, of Coleraine Private Hospital, is greatly concerned at the serious position existing at this maternity hospital. Matron Bottle states the position has become so acute that unless assistance is forthcoming immediately Sister Harris will be compelled to restrict admissions to Coleraine Hospital with consequent hardship to expectant mothers of the district.

In view of the seriousness of the position, Matron Bottle on behalf of Sister Harris appeals to all women with nursing experience to volunteer for work at Coleraine on a roster system until the acute shortage of nursing staff can be overcome. As advertised in this issue, work will be on a 40-hour week basis at award rates.

Coleraine Hospital

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COLERAINE PEOPLE

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CAN YOU HELP?

Were you or someone you know born at Coleraine Hospital? Perhaps you were a patient or you worked there? If so I would love to hear from you here:

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VARIOUS USES

In the 1980s the building was used as the Cornerstone Ministries (inc.) Family Church, eventually being taken over by Youth With a Mission and becoming known as Maranartha. The building has since been sold and is now used as a private residence for the Steer family. They have made some alterations.

Today, it is a single storey asymmetric Federation Bungalow, much altered and added to however the painted brickwork detracts from the appearance. The verandahs, on the front and south sides, have timber floorboards and posts. Elaborate woodwork is seen throughout the house, including the fireplaces, architraves and skirting boards. The timber detailing in the study is very elaborate and inside the house are lead glass door panels and side windows and accordion doors between the lounge and dining room, which are exemplary for their time. Some ceilings in the house are not original.

When originally built it had a street frontage onto Clive Street. A block was subdivided between the building and the street, and was sold to build a new house (currently owned by Quarmby’s). The original building now has a side frontage to Beaufort Street.

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FROM MEMBERS (via Facebook)

Noreen Mayes: I was born there in 1947 and Mum always talked about Matron Ross.

David Kindred : Myself and my two brothers Graham and Trevor were born there under the Sister Harris’s reign. Graham, May 1943; Trevor, Dec 1944; and myself March, 1946. I was born on a Saturday at approx. 12 noon to the sound of tennis balls which there must have been courts nearby. The Dr whom I just cannot recall this early in the morning said..”now that’s over I can go to tennis”. Mum recalled lots of good strawberries were grown there at the hospital so your guess is as good as mine as to what made them so good. I would like to see a list of others who were born at Coleraine Hospital as it was indeed a special and important place for us country children.

Terry Coles: I was born in Coleraine also but I can’t remember by whom. I’ve been told by matron Ross … was she there also? I was born there in 1944.

David Kindred : May have been Matron Ross, Terry… In later years she ran the tuckshop opposite the Primary School and I remember her apple turnovers were something to die for. Got nothing like that in Broomehill. We only had yams, gilgies, rabbits and duck on the menu. Everything off the land with no treats. KHS reunion at the Lucky Shag was as good as ever and the yarns got better and bigger. The kicks were longer and the marks higher.

Greg Ramm: In 1962 the hospital had closed down and sister Harris ran it as hostel for the students in 1962. I was one of the students – boys wing and girls wing. If I remember correctly we had cold showers. Lots of discipline but it didn’t hurt.

Coleraine Hospital. Coleraine Hospital. Coleraine Hospital.