Lidcombe Hospital Precinct facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lidcombe Hospital Precinct
One of the buildings in the former Lidcombe Hospital
Location	Joseph Street, Lidcombe, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1885–
Architect	James Barnet Walter Liberty Vernon Cobden Parkes Ken Woolley
Owner	Australand Industrial No. 18 Pty Limited; Sydney Olympic Park Authority
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Lidcombe Hospital Precinct; Rookwood Asylum for the Aged and Infirm; Rookwood State Hospital and Asylum for Men; Lidcombe State Hospital & Home; Rookwood Boys Reformatory & Model Farm
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	24 February 2006
Reference no.	1744
Type	Hospital
Category	Health Services
Builders	NSW Government
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The Lidcombe Hospital Precinct is a special place in Lidcombe, Australia. It used to be a hospital and a home for older people who needed care. Now, many of its old buildings have been turned into private homes.

This historic site was designed by several famous architects like James Barnet and Walter Liberty Vernon. It was built starting in 1885 by the Government of New South Wales. Over the years, it had different names, including Rookwood Asylum and Lidcombe State Hospital. Today, parts of the property are owned by Australand Industrial and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. It was officially listed as a heritage site in New South Wales on February 24, 2006.

History of Lidcombe Hospital

The Lidcombe Hospital site has changed a lot over time. It started as an idea for a farm and school for young boys who needed guidance. Later, it became a major hospital. It even played a part in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

One cool fact is that Sydney's first septic tank system for a large institution was built here around 1897–1898. This helped manage waste much better than before.

Here's how the site changed over the years:

• 1885-1892: It was planned as a Boys Reformatory and Model Farm.
• 1893-1913: It became the Rookwood Asylum for the Aged and Infirm. This was a place for older and sick people who needed help.
• 1914-1926: It was renamed Lidcombe State Hospital and Asylum for Men.
• 1927-1966: It became the Lidcombe State Hospital and Home.
• 1966-1995: It was known simply as Lidcombe Hospital. It focused on caring for older patients and helping them recover.
• 1998-2000: Before the 2000 Summer Olympics, it was transformed into the Olympic Media Village. This provided housing for about 5,000 journalists visiting Sydney.

After 2004, some of the less important hospital buildings were removed. From 2006 to 2011, many of the old, historic buildings were carefully changed into apartments. Some cottages became new homes, and the old superintendent's house became a large family home.

What the Site Looks Like

Lidcombe State Hospital and Home

The Lidcombe Hospital site has many different buildings and green spaces. It also has hidden historical clues underground from its past. The size of the site has grown and shrunk over the years.

Some of the important buildings you can find here include:

• The Herdsman's Cottage and a Gatehouse.
• Dormitory wards, a Dining Hall, and the Superintendent's Residence, all designed by James Barnet.
• Nine special "pavilion wards" and a Nurse's Home designed by Walter Liberty Vernon.
• Other buildings like the Boiler House and later Nurse's Homes designed by Cobden Parkes.
• A Recreation Hall designed by Ken Woolley.
• There's even a WWII Air Raid Shelter and a 1953 Memorial Clock.

The site also has many beautiful outdoor areas and roads:

• The Village Green, which was a central gathering place.
• Historic roads like Farm Road, Main Avenue, and Church Street.
• Many types of trees, including hoop pines, phoenix palms, and Moreton Bay figs. These trees add to the beauty of the area.

Current Condition

The Village Green, a centre of community activity when the site was a hospital

Most of the buildings, roads, and plants on the site are in good condition. The area is well looked after.

Archaeologists can learn a lot from the site. They can find clues about how the Boys Reformatory and Model Farm started. They can also discover information about how the Asylum and State Hospital developed over time. This helps us understand how people were cared for in the past.

The very first large-scale septic tank in Australia was built near here. While the tank itself is now on a nearby university campus, parts of its system might still be found within the Lidcombe Hospital site.

Even though many buildings outside the main heritage area have been removed, the Lidcombe Hospital Precinct still has its original feel. It keeps the important buildings from the early days up to the 1940s, along with key roads. The heart of the precinct, especially around the Village Green, still shows the site's important history.

Why Lidcombe Hospital is Important

Superintendent's house

Lidcombe Hospital is very important to the history of healthcare in New South Wales. For over 100 years (from 1893 to 1995), it was a major place for caring for older and sick people. It became a leader in helping older patients recover and get back on their feet. The hospital's growth and eventual closure show how healthcare policies changed over the years.

The site is also special because of the smart doctors, nurses, and community members who worked there for over a century. And, as the Media Village, it played a big role in the 2000 Summer Olympics, hosting thousands of journalists.

The precinct has amazing and well-preserved buildings from different time periods, like Victorian and Edwardian styles. The way the hospital was planned is a great example of 19th-century ideas about healthcare. Following ideas from Florence Nightingale, buildings were designed with lots of natural light and fresh air, and surrounded by gardens. This was believed to help patients heal.

The buildings designed by James Barnet (like the dormitories and Dining Hall) and Walter Liberty Vernon (like the nine wards) are especially important. They are arranged around the central Village Green, creating a peaceful and functional space. The Recreation Hall and Chapel, designed by Ken Woolley, also add to the site's beauty and history.

The nine wards designed by Vernon are excellent examples of "pavilion" style hospital buildings. They were designed to let in lots of light and fresh air, which was very advanced for the time. Vernon's designs also used Australian architectural styles, like wide verandahs, to suit the local climate. This shows how architects were starting to create a unique Australian building style.

The old roads on the site, like Farm Road and Main Avenue, show how the hospital grew and where different activities took place, like farming. The beautiful trees and plants also add to the site's special look. The Village Green, in the middle of everything, is especially important for its history and beauty.

The site also holds archaeological secrets that can teach us about early farming and how institutions cared for people in need. The fact that Australia's first large septic tank system was here is a big deal for understanding public health history.

Lidcombe Hospital also helped the local area grow by providing many jobs. It has always been highly valued by the community for its history, social importance, and beautiful landscape.

Why it's a Heritage Site

The Lidcombe Hospital Precinct was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register because it meets several important criteria:

• It shows the history of New South Wales: It was used for over 100 years, changing from a place for people in need to a major teaching hospital. It shows how attitudes towards caring for the elderly and sick have changed. It was also the largest institution of its kind in the Commonwealth in 1919.
• It's linked to important people and groups: It shows how care for the homeless and elderly changed. Doctors like George Procopis and Tinsley helped make it a leader in geriatric care. It's also linked to famous government architects like James Barnet and Walter Liberty Vernon, who designed many of its buildings.
• It's beautiful and shows great design: The site has a rare collection of well-preserved buildings from different eras. The way the hospital was planned, with buildings around gardens, was very advanced for its time. Vernon's wards are especially noted for their unique design that suited the Australian climate. The whole site has a "village" feel with its buildings and roads.
• It's important to the community: Former staff, patients, and local residents have strong connections to the hospital. It provided jobs and healthcare, and many community groups value its history.
• It can teach us more: The archaeological remains on the site can help us understand how institutions worked and how early sewerage systems were developed. It's a great example of how healthcare facilities evolved in New South Wales.
• It's rare and special: The group of buildings around the Village Green, especially the Barnet and Vernon wards, is a rare and well-preserved example of institutional design from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Vernon wards, with their unique Australian "bungalow" style adapted for a hospital, are particularly special.
• It represents a type of place: Lidcombe Hospital Precinct is an excellent example of a major healthcare facility in New South Wales, showing key themes in science, government, health, and education.