Attunga, Toorak Gardens facts for kids
Attunga was once a grand mansion. Today, it is part of a hospital. This historic building has a fascinating story. It shows how a private home can become important for a whole community.
Contents
Building a Grand Home
Attunga was built in 1900. A man named Benjamin Burford had it constructed. It stood on a large piece of land. This land was about 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares). The address was 120 Kensington Road. This area was then called Rose Park. It is an inner eastern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia.
Attunga's Size and Style
The house was very big. It had 14 rooms and two floors. It was the largest and most impressive mansion built in that area. This area later became known as Toorak Gardens.
New Owners and a Big Gift
Benjamin Burford passed away in 1905. After his death, an investor bought Attunga. His name was Otto Georg Ludwig von Rieben. He came from Broken Hill.
Von Rieben's Connection to Attunga
Otto von Rieben took great care of Attunga. He paid special attention to the property. However, he eventually lived at another home. This home was called "Pomona" at Mt Lofty. It was in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
A Gift for the Community
In 1944, von Rieben made a generous offer. He was 82 years old at the time. He offered Attunga to the Burnside Council. He gave it to them for free. He wanted it to be used as a hospital. He also asked that the house and its gardens be kept safe. The council happily accepted this amazing gift.
Attunga Becomes a Hospital
The council began to change the mansion. They wanted to turn it into a hospital. This was a big project.
Helping Patients Recover
By April 1949, the first part was finished. Attunga became a convalescent hospital. This means it helped patients recover. It cared for people who were getting better after an illness or surgery. It could look after 21 patients at a time.
A New Chapter for Healthcare
Attunga closed as a convalescent hospital in September 1956. By then, it had helped over 1,400 patients. In October 1956, a new hospital opened next door. This was the Burnside War Memorial Hospital. It had 45 beds.
Attunga's Role Today
After that, the mansion was used for other medical purposes. For example, since March 1989, it has been the "Attunga Medical Centre." Today, the mansion and its beautiful gardens are still there. They take up most of the western part of the original land. Newer hospital buildings cover the eastern half.
