Nornalup Hospital

Statement of Significance

The building has historic significance as it is closely associated with an important part of Nornalup’s history, the Group Settlement Scheme, which had its genesis in the early 1920s. A hospital facility in a township was an important means of cementing a community.
The building has social significance as providing key medical services that had earlier been provided on a much smaller scale in the more remote Mission House. It also highlights the important role of religious orders in the provision of medical services in remote parts of the South-west of Western Australia in the 1930s and beyond, before the advent of effective transport systems.

Physical Description

The hospital building is weatherboard with a distinctive double gable roof, and lattice work around part of the verandah. The internal fittings include distinctive wood panelling and wooden floors.

History

Sister Jean Anderson, an Irish nun, had originally established a nursing post at Tingledale to cater for the medical needs of Group Settlers from Groups 116, 138 and 139. With the arrival of Dr Bruce Burnside in Nornalup, it was decided to discontinue the nursing post, known as the Mission House, and instead open a small hospital in Nornalup. The hospital opened on July 1 1932, and therefore meant that many of the Group Settlers in the district could get treatment there without having to make the difficult trip to Denmark. The hospital was run by the Anglican Missionary Sisters of St Elizabeth.
Dr Burnside was a settler-farmer who was called upon to provide medical services as well. Sister Anderson lived at the hospital and had two nursing assistants, Jean McKeown and Peggy Voce. The hospital became extremely busy as not only did it cater for emergencies but it provided maternity services as well. Sister Anderson remained at the Nornalup Hospital until 1934. She later returned to Ireland. The nursing duties were taken over by Sister Kenny and Dr Burnside continued to provide professional services until about 1940 when he moved to Northam to take charge of the Military Hospital there.
It is presumed that the hospital closed not long after this as by 1945, the building was running as a guest house. In the early 2000s, it was taken over by a couple who ran a bookbinding business and also opened a small museum of memorabilia. However this facility has since closed (2010) and it is again privately owned.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Most

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.