Sunset Hospital

Statement of Significance

DEMONSTRATION OF A WAY OF LIFE, SOCIAL, HISTORY The "Bungalow" is probably the only known building remaining from the Mount Eliza Depot. Around 1870 the 14th Regiment vacated the Depot and the buildings were fitted out as an asylum for old and incapable paupers (male). It was called the Poorhouse. Assistance with the running of-the establishment was undertaken by the "Tuppenny Orderlies" being the more able bodied inmates. They worked in the kitchen and laundry/ and general nursing and in the hospital. From-the outset of the establishment, the reward for these services was additional rations, and later by payment of 2d (Tuppence) per day. The last of the men still receiving this renumeration died in May 1980. ASSOCIATION WITH PERSONAGES The institution was run from 1869-1887 by Mr and Mrs Dewis. On Mrs Dewis' death John Price Wade became Master/ his wife the cook, and Miss Eliza Speers the Matron. Wade retired in 1909 to be succeeded by Albert Rust in 1910. Rust eased the regimentation and formality of the institution, removed the gates/ eased the rules on a variety of matters including uniforms for the staff. He worked tirelessly for the institution raising funds for the new hospital, library/ books, radios, film projection booth, stage for concerts amongst others. In 1924 a broadcast listening station was officially opened at the home. Live concerts were encouraged. Mr. Rust retired in 1938. In 1943 the name was changed to Sunset. Later a programme of modernisation has been undertaken to make the buildings more comfortable. There have been many benefactors of the home including the Padbury family. ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE The building complex is set on high ground adjoining the river and melds into the landscape from the adjoining residential area and the river due to the maturity of the trees/ the unity of the building materials, the unobtrusive green roofing all in harmony and scale with the surroundings. The recent additions do not intrude on the overall pattern. SCARCITY VALUE The buildings are unique.

Physical Description

Including timber framed weatherboard and iron "Bungalow" building circa 1870, and internal and external portions of limestone buildings still extant in 1991 including morgue, laundry, kitchen, dining (together with cinema projection room, equipment and stage), residential ward buildings, administration, nurses home (plus timber fence and trellis), superintendent’s residence, and later two storey masonry hospital building plus trees-and landscaping fixtures. The "Bungalow" building now used as an occupational therapy unit was removed from its original site at the foot of Mount Eliza around.' 1908. It was cut into three sections and transported by horse and dray to the new 22 acre location by the-n specifically known as "The Old Mens Home". For many years the building housed the alcoholics and the rowdier inmates of the institution. The floor was added much later.; To the design of Hillson Beasley, buildings to house 400 had been commenced in 1904, basically of stone construction and including an infirmary. One of the three ward blocks was utilised as a hospital. The limestone for the construction was won from the nearby quarry at Point Resolution. As the river was considered a more suitable means of transport, a 90m jetty and shelter, since demolished, was added. The two storey hospital building at the eastern end of the site was constructed later. The site was fenced from the outset with pickets/ and leave for the incumbents’ war restricted at the gates for many years. The roof ventilators of the dining block a^ of interest. The wards were heated by "Little Giant" cast iron. stoves. Hot water was obtained from a 3000m deep artesian bore the casing of which cracked in the 1920s forming the hot pool. The last of these was filled in. about 1950.

History

Assessment 1991 Note: for more information about Albert Rust and the history of the Hospital, refer Sunset Hospital: Its History and Function; Ann T. Whyntie

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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