Proserpine Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Proserpine Hospital |
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Proserpine Hospital, 2005
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| Location | Herbert Street, Proserpine, Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1939 - 1940 |
| Architect | Hill & Taylor |
| Official name: Proserpine Hospital | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 23 February 2001 |
| Reference no. | 601573 |
| Significant period | 1939-1940 (fabric) 1930s-1940s (historical) 1940s-ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | ward - enclosed |
| Builders | W C Kynaston |
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The Proserpine Hospital is a special old building in Proserpine, Australia. It's listed as a heritage site, which means it's an important part of history that needs to be protected. This hospital was designed by famous architects named Hill & Taylor and built between 1939 and 1940. It has been helping the community for many years.
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The Hospital's Story
The Proserpine Hospital, located at the corner of Herbert and Taylor Streets, was built in 1939-1940. It was designed by the well-known architects Hill and Taylor. The buildings were constructed by W C Kynaston. The hospital has three single-story brick buildings, called pavilions, set in what used to be beautiful gardens.
Architects: Hill & Taylor
The architecture firm of Hill and Taylor started in Cairns in 1925. They were very important architects in north Queensland between World War I and World War II. They designed many famous buildings, including the Cairns City Council Building and the Cairns Post Office. They also designed several hospitals in the area, like the Mossman Hospital.
From Old to New: A Hospital for Proserpine
The current Proserpine Hospital replaced an older wooden hospital. The first hospital was built in 1911 about 3 kilometers from the town center. The local community worked hard to raise money to build and run this first hospital. They even helped it reopen in 1931 after it had to close for a short time.
In 1936, the people in charge decided to move the hospital closer to town. They chose the current spot. New buildings were designed in late 1936. The foundation stone for the new hospital was laid on February 4, 1939. The new buildings were finished by 1940. They included a maternity ward, nurses' living quarters, a male ward, and an outpatients department.
What the New Hospital Looked Like
The new hospital buildings were designed as separate sections, or pavilions. These were connected by covered walkways. All the buildings looked similar, made of red brick with tall, sloped roofs. They had special features like arched entrances with brick designs.
Over the years, some changes were made. In the early 1960s, the front entrances were updated. The fancy brickwork was replaced with simpler designs. The roofs were also changed from asbestos to galvanized iron.
In the late 1990s, the hospital was updated again. When the work finished in 1999, many of the original buildings were still there. This included the former maternity ward, the male ward, and the outpatients department. However, the nurses' living quarters were taken down. An older building from 1923 was renovated to house medical staff.
Exploring the Hospital Buildings
The Proserpine Hospital has three main brick buildings that face Herbert Street. These are next to newer hospital buildings built in 1998-1999.
- Former Maternity Ward: This building was updated in 1999. It now holds different health services like dental health, mental health, and physiotherapy.
- Former Men's Ward: This ward is connected to the former Maternity Ward by a covered walkway. The walkway is now used for storage. The Men's Ward itself has two main areas and an operating room. It is also used for storage.
- Former Outpatients Department: This building is currently empty but is still in good condition. It used to have areas for administration, examinations, consulting, a lab, and X-ray facilities. No changes were made to this building during the 1999 updates.
Around the buildings, you can still see some of the original landscaping. There are open grassy areas and beautiful trees. These include Moreton Bay Fig trees, Mango trees, Norfolk Island Pines, and Queen Palms.
Why This Hospital is Important
The Proserpine Hospital was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on February 23, 2001. This means it's recognized as a place with special historical value.
A Special Design
The hospital is important because it shows a specific way hospitals were designed in the past. It used separate buildings, or pavilions, which was a common idea for hospital layouts at the time. This design helped with things like fresh air and separating different patient groups.
A Community Effort
The Proserpine Hospital has a strong connection with the local community. The people of Proserpine helped raise money to build and run the first hospital. Even when the hospital was updated in the late 1990s, the community insisted that the original buildings should stay. This shows how much the hospital means to them.
Designed by Famous Architects
The hospital is also important because it was designed by Hill & Taylor. They were very important architects in north Queensland during the time between the World Wars. They designed many hospitals and other significant buildings in the region.
