Katanning Hospitals

In the very early days of Katanning there were no doctors and no hospitals. People had to look after themselves in very remote parts of the district, and in town, until Katanning’s first doctor, Doctor Frederick Maurice House, arrived in 1893. Later, several midwives set up various maternity hospitals around the town and these proved very popular with women on isolated farms in the district. The first government hospital was built on the corner of Amherst and Avon Streets and the original building is now part of an accommodation complex.

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FIRST GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL

From the inHerit website

Katanning’s first Public Hospital c1905

Construction of the building began in 1892 as Katanning’s first government hospital. The contractors were Messrs Thorn, Bower and Stewart. Although completed in 1892, the hospital still had no furniture to speak of as late as 1894 and many complaints about the new building were voiced in the West Australian:

“It is now over 18 months since the substantial building was erected and during the intervening period it has stood as a sort of silent guarantee of benefits to come, but at the same time utterly useless to all intents and purposes. Upwards of a dozen cases, or even more, have come to and passed through Katanning in this time, all or most of which, would have remained here and under Dr House’s care must have been satisfactory treated.” [WA,27/8/1894, p.7]

Additions to the hospital were made in 1894 and in 1899 (contractor J. H. Brown, £272/10/4). Nurse’s quarters were added in 1906 (contractor A. Thomson £410) and in 1911 the scullery was built (contractor L. L. Kleeman, £179/17/6). These buildings were connected by a series of covered walkways that blend with the verandah in pitch and materials. Under the floor of one section of the hospital was the morgue. This space is now used as a cellar.

The old hospital was turned into a residence when the new government hospital was completed in 1925 in Kobeelya Avenue. From then until the 1960s the building was used as a residence, after which it was purchased by Mr Ambrosini and divided into three separate units. A block of five single storey flats was built adjacent to the Amherst Units. Up to the present the verandah and walkway, nurses’ quarters and scullery have been removed.

Although the building has undergone both external and internal modifications, it still has historical significance in that it was the first public hospital in Katanning. It also has rarity value, as there are very few examples in the state of early medical facilities.

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SECOND GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL

Great Southern Herald
24 April 1923

New Government Hospital for Katanning.

The decision of the Katanning Road Board to take all necessary steps for the provision of a new hospital for the district is one that should be welcomed by the very great majority of ratepayers within the Katanning Road District. For many years the present hospital has been inadequate to the needs of the people, and with the great influx of population that has taken place during the past six or eight years the necessity for a more commodious building, with better facilities for  modern methods of treatment, has become acute.

The really serious agitation for a new hospital commenced about five years ago, and although many schemes were put forward for its achievement, the stumbling block has always been finance, and whether the district or the Government was to provide the necessary funds. Now that difficulty has been removed, for the Government has offered to provide one half of the total cost of the new hospital and has given the necessary power for the local governing body to raise the other half by means of taxation.

Over such a large, and wealthy district as that comprised within the Katanning Road Board, the rate necessary to obtain the yearly payment of interest and sinking fund will be small, and rating will provide that every individual ratepayer must pay his just quota. An alternative scheme to rating was that of voluntary giving. This, the Chairman of the Road Board, Mr. McLeod, vetoed, and it must be conceded, wisely so, for whilst there are those who would respond to the appeal for voluntary assistance toward building and equipping the hospital, there are more who would be blind and deaf to such an appeal, and the burden would eventually fall upon the few.

Whilst hospitals may be regarded as charitable institutions, in that their doors are open to the sick and needy, they should not be placed in the position of being charity institutions, having to beg for their daily needs. Their work is national, they supply a need as great, or greater than free education, and they should no more have to depend on casual charity for their maintenance than public schools. With the provision for taxing the ratepayer for the upkeep and maintenance the district will have an hospital that it can be proud of, whilst the whole liability will be done away with long before the usefulness of the building has reached its limit.

Laying of the Foundation Stone – 13 October, 1924

West Australian Newspapers
14 October, 1924

KATANNING HOSPITAL. FOUNDATION STONE LAID.
Speech by McCallum.
Katanning. October 13, 1924

The Minister for Works, Mr. A. McCallum, with Mrs. McCallum visited Katanning on Saturday in connection with the laying of the foundation stone at the new hospital. A civic reception was accorded him by the Road Board in the morning, followed by a luncheon ceremony at the hospital in the afternoon. The reception in the Town Hall was largely attended. Subsequently a deputation from the road board waited upon the Minister to lay a number of requests before him.

The chairman, Mr. W.J. Rogers, having welcomed the Minister to Katanning said the occasion was more pleasing in view of the fact that it was only a few months since the request for a hospital had been submitted to him. It was usual when a Minister visited the district to lay before him matters urgently requiring the assistance of the Government.

Although loath to make fresh demands on the Minister in the face of what had been done, the requests to be brought before him were of great consequence. Further, the district was prepared to shoulder its quota of the cost involved. It was desired that the area of ground for the hospital site be increased by the purchase of further land, also that provision be made for the reception of mental patients at the new hospital The water supply of the town was inadequate, and he desired the Minister to make available the services of an engineer to investigate possible means of increasing efficiency, the board being prepared to pay one half the cost of such investigations to £100. A bridge on the Broomehill road and the right to tender for all road construction in the district under the Federal grant were the remaining requests.

The Minister, in reply, expressed his pleasure at again being in Katanning, particularly as it was to consummate the promise made during his previous visit with regard to the provision of a new hospital.

In regard to the mental ward, this was a matter for the Health Department, and he would discuss it with the Minister. He could promise practically without reservation that the request for additional land for the hospital would be granted. The services of an engineer would be made available to thoroughly explore the water supply for the town.

He was now considering the appointment of an engineer-in-chief of whom the one qualification absolutely necessary would be in regard to water supply and conservation, and to obtain the right man; the question of salary was a secondary consideration. He could assure the board of every opportunity to tender for road construction work under the Federal grant. As this grant would probably be annual the board would have a desire for a continuous policy of road construction, making roads in the order of urgency to the district.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone attracted a very large attendance, despite unfavourable weather conditions. The chairman of the beard (Mr. W.J. Rogers) said that since May 17 when the Minister consented to the hospital being built on the basis of half the cost to the district mast gratifying progress had been made. The work had progressed so rapidly that today one wing was practically complete. The hospital was a partnership affair between the Government and the Katanning district, whilst the Broomehill board had promised an annual subsidy. A local committee had been formed and was pledged to raise £1,000 for the purpose of equipment beyond that furnished by the department. Already a considerable amount was in hand.

In calling upon the Minister to perform the ceremony he presented a silver trowel, suitably inscribed. Mr. McCallum said it gave him the deepest pleasure to have the opportunity to be present. When he took over the department, he found the question of a hospital for Katanning one fought over and discussed for years previous to his visit. He was convinced that a new hospital was an absolute necessity. The building was now taking definite shape and he looked forward to its actual opening. When finished he was convinced it would be the most modern country hospital in the State. He was pleased that the committee undertaking the work was providing equipment beyond that supplied by the department. It showed a healthy interest in the hospital. He declared the stone well and truly laid.

Opening of the second Katanning Hospital

Second Katanning Hospital c 1940
Looking up the entrance from Clive Street

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NURSES QUARTERS

Great Southern Herald
28 September 1935

KATANNING DISTRICT HOSPITAL
NEW NURSES’ QUARTERS.
BUILDING ALMOST COMPLETED.

The new staff quarters at the Katanning Hospital, the need of which had been felt practically since the opening of the original building, will be completed in three weeks, according to the contractor, Mr. J. M. Thomson, who is now supervising the interior fitting and finishing-off work.

A visit to the scene on Thursday revealed that most of the main building operations had been completed, including flooring, roofing and plastering, and it was not difficult to visualise that the Government would receive good value for the contract price of £1,526. The building is set on very massive foundations, and though apparently designed to give long service, appearance has been fully considered.

The exterior of the brickwork has been rendered in snowcrete from roof level to the window sills, below which is a contrasting “struck” brick dado. There are nine single rooms for the use of the staff, five for day and four for night nurses, each having an entrance to the corridor and the front or back verandah.

Other rooms include kitchenette, bathroom (with hot and cold-water service), sewerage system, linen lobby with shelves, dining-room and sitting room. The commodious sitting-room has dimensions 20ft. x 17ft., its modern design including a snowcrete built-in fireplace.

The rooms are of white plaster, finished off to excellent effect by a skilled tradesman. All ceilings contain plaster battens and plaster cornice moulds, which give a pleasing finish to the interior. The building is finished off with 9ft. verandahs, back and front, and has been built both for convenience and beauty.

The completion of the building is the result of numerous representations to the Government, both by the Katanning Road Board and the committee of the Katanning Hospital Comforts Association. Ultimately the sum of £750 was made available for the purpose by the W.A. Lotteries Commission, the Government then falling into line with a £ for £ subsidy which enabled the provision of the quarters.

With its new X-ray plant, additions and improvements which have been provided by the Hospital Comforts Association, and the now new staff quarters, the Katanning Hospital is one of the best equipped institutions of its kind outside the metropolitan area.

The latest addition, in the form of comfortable quarters for the nursing staff, though somewhat delayed, is a gesture of grace to those whose arduous duties merit the best which can be provided.

NURSES QUARTERS – OFFICIAL OPENING

Great Southern Herald
6 November 1935

KATANNING HOSPITAL
NEW QUARTERS FOR NURSING STAFF.
OFFICIALLY OPENED BY LIEUT-GOVERNOR.

The new quarters for the nursing staff at the Katanning Hospital were officially opened on Friday morning by the Lieut-Governor, Sir James Mitchell, who was accompanied by Lady Mitchell, in the presence of about 50 interested spectators, including Hon. A. Thomson, M.L.C., and Mrs. Thomson, Hon. H. V. Piesse, M.L.C., and Mrs. Piesse, and the Member for the District, Mr. A. F. Watts, and Mrs. Watts.

After an inspection of the building, which was unfurnished, the party assembled on the front verandah for the opening ceremony. The chairman of the Katanning Road Board, Mr. Alex. Prosser, in calling upon His Excellency to declare the premises open, welcomed Sir James and Lady Mitchell to Katanning. He said the occasion was a happy one, which marked the successful termination of negotiations on the part of the board for these important addition to the Katanning Hospital. The total cost very fine building had been £1,500, towards which the Lotteries Commission had donated £750 from its funds, the Public Health Department finding the balance.

It was the policy of the Government in respect of new hospitals or additions to existing ones that the district concerned should find half the cost, and the Katanning Hospital, which had cost about £12,000, had been financed on these lines, the board being responsible for half that amount. When it became necessary to provide additional nurses’ quarters, the board, considered it could not fairly call upon the ratepayers of the district to pay a heavier rate, and so the Lotteries Commission had been asked to assist.

The contract to erect the building had been secured by Mr. J. M. Thomson, a son of their good friend, Mr. A. Thomson, M.L.C., and he congratulated him on the excellent manner in which he had carried out his first public works building contract. It was pleasing to note that the son was following in his father’s foot steps so successfully as the hospital itself had been one of the many public buildings erected by Mr. A. Thomson.

Mr. Prosser then read apologies from the Secretary for Health, Mr. Huelin, the Chief Architect, Mr. A. Clare, and the chairman of the Lotteries Commission, Mr. C. Mahoney, who had been unable to attend. Continuing, Mr. Prosser congratulated the local P.W.D. officer (Mr. Gordon Clifton) on the splendid finish of the quarters, which had been erected under his keen supervision. He was sure the extra accommodation would prove a boon to the nursing staff and he hoped it would prove entirely satisfactory when handed over for occupancy.

Sir James Mitchell said he was very pleased to have been asked to officially open the building. Both Lady Mitchell and himself were keenly interested in the provision of thoroughly modern and efficient hospital facilities for country districts. He understood that the Katanning Hospital, which served as a base hospital for a wide area, was one of the finest of its kind in the State, and he knew that the local Comforts Association, as representing the people of the district had performed and were still performing a very valuable work in maintaining the hospital at its maximum efficiency.

The nursing profession was a noble one, demanding great and continuous sacrifices from those who followed it, and the provision of extra comfort, such as these new quarters promised; was fully warranted. A district was judged on its capabilities for caring and looking after its sick and unfortunate, and by that standard Katanning ranked very high. Sir James then unlocked the front door of the quarters and declared the building open for use.

Mr. Synnott, on behalf of the Katanning Road Board, thanked His Excellency for his kindness in attending the little function and for having officially opened the new quarters. The need of the quarters had been a pressing one for a considerable time and the board was indebted in carrying out the work to the Lotteries Commission for its valuable assistance in the matter of finance.

Hon. H. V. Piesse supported the vote of thanks. He said he appreciated the kindness of Sir James in consenting to formally open the building. Now that it had been provided, people would probably take it as a matter of course and forget all the difficulties that had faced the Katanning Road Board in financing the project. He thoroughly agreed with Sir James that the hospital was one of the finest country institutions in the State. It also had been obtained only after long effort, and a great deal was due to the Katanning Hospital Comforts Association in its work of maintaining the grounds and the equipment of the hospital. He was sure the provision of the building would prove of great benefit to the nursing staff.

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OTHER HOSPITALS

Lost Katanning member Diana Cavoli has supplied the following information:

NURSE ARNOLD
has opened her Private
Hospital, and hopes by strict attention to
patients to merit a fair share of patronage.
Terms moderate.
Address: “Kerak,” Aberdeen Street, near
Government Hospital.

NURSE TURNER,
fully qualified,
has accommodation for Ladies during accouchement.
Outdoor practice attended to.
Address, Amherst Street, off Argent Street, Katanning.

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SISTER HALLIDAY’S PRIVATE HOSPITAL

“The Pines”
(now Bethshan Aged Care Home)

“Family Notices” from Newspapers:

West Australian – 3/7/1935
FLUGGE. – On June 26. at Sister Halliday’s Private Hospital, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Flugge, of Rockwell, East Katanning – a son (Geoffrey Peter).

West Australian – 21/12/1935
NOONAN. – On December 1. at Sister Halliday’s private hospital, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Noonan, of Homesdale, Katanning – a daughter (Patricia Ann). Both well.

West Australian – 11/2/1935
LADYMAN. – On January 18, 1935, at Sister Halliday’s Private Hospital. Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Ladyman – a son.

West Australian – 17/3/1933
MILLS. – On February 4, at Sister Halliday’s Hospital, Piesse Street, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Mills – a son (Ian Gartrell).

West Australian – 12/6/1935
O’HALLORAN (nee Faith Davis). – On June 6, at Sister Halliday’s Private Hospital, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. Huie O’Halloran, of Cherry Tree Pool – a son (Gerald Lynsay). Both well.

West Australian – 21/9/1932
STEPHENS. – On September 15, at Sister Halliday’s Private Hospital, Kerak, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Stephens, of Broomehill – a daughter.

West Australian – 27/8/1935
BLUNDY. – On August 19, at Sister Halliday’s Private Hospital, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. Les Blundy, of Nyabing – a daughter (Nancy Ann). Both well.

West Australian – 12/3/1935
COVENTRY (nee Kath. Dorham). – On March 10, at Sister Halliday’s Hospital, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. Irvine Coventry – a son (Graeme). Both well. No visitors for five days.

West Australian – 24/2/1933
BALL. – On February 17, at Sister Halliday’s Hospital, Katanning, to Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbert Ball – a daughter (Janet Gertrude). Both well.

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COLERAINE PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Coleraine Private Maternity Hospital

Originally built as Dr House’s family home and surgery the building has seen several uses of the years. These include Katanning Boys Grammar School, Coleraine Private Maternity Hospital, a boarding facility for Katanning High School, a facility for troubled children known as Maranartha, and finally back to a family home currently owned by the Steer family. Continue reading

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BROCKHURST PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Brockhurst Hospital was situated on the corner of Amherst and Arbour Streets in Katanning adjacent to the current “Reidy House”. The original 17-room building was built as the home of Mr. Male, M.H.R. as his family home before being transformed into a private hospital with pioneer of Katanning and a “bush nurse”, Fanny Alice Quartermaine.

Nurse Quartermaine was included the “First Register of Midwives” in the Supplement to the Government Gazette of Western Australia, 7 February 1913. The hospital had Dr House in charge and he owned the adjacent block of land.

Both the building and the block of land were later purchased by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission for use as a convent.

From Great Southern Herald
29 March, 1924

Brockhurst Private Hospital

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KATANNING MATERNITY HOSPITAL

Southern Districts Advocate
1 October, 1928

The Katanning district is exceptionally fortunate in obtaining the services of a lady like Mrs Naomi Ross, who has rented Mr Harold Piesse’s residence, known as “Strathfield,” and intends opening a Maternity Home on the 10th October.

Mrs Ross has had many years of experience in nursing and for the past six or seven, years has had charge of the Pinjarra Hospital, which she has run with great success. She intends keeping a full staff of nurses and assistants.

The residence “Strathfield,” with its beautiful gardens and appointments, lends itself ideally for a maternity home; it adjoins the township of Katanning, the gardens are to be kept in the same perfect order as in the past.

For any particulars, please address correspondence to Harold V. Piesse, Katanning, until the 10th October, when Nurse Ross will be in residence.

“Family Notices” from Newspapers:

KOBEELYA AS A HOSPITAL?

Following the death of Frederick Piesse, and the need for a larger government hospital, Several ideas were floated to the community and the surrounding district. One was the consideration of purchasing Kobeelya and converting into that hospital. Read the full story

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