Old Cue Hospital

Statement of Significance

The former Cue Hospital has high historic significance for its important social role to the Cue community. The place, especially the chimney remains, has considerable landmark value and can be seen from some distance away.

Physical Description

Situated about half a mile from the town of Cue, the hospital was built of locally quarried stone and featured surrounding verandahs. Now in a ruinous state, the remains reveal that there were several buildings on the site. Some walls are still at full height. All that remains of one is a large chimney which was possible the incinerator.

History

The hospital opened in July 1895. Prior to that a temporary hospital was conducted in a canvas and bough shed a few miles out of town. In the new hospital the Matron, Mrs Crothers, was assisted by three nurses and an orderly. The hospital featured spacious wards and shady verandahs. The main building was built of stone and contained the men's ward with a bathroom attached. South of this was a small private ward also with an attached bathroom. The female ward adjoined the kitchen at the rear of the main building. Immediately prior to its construction a newspaper of the day stated: "There is every prospect of improved hospital accommodation being shortly provided for the district, the plans and specifications for the new building and resident officers' quarters having just arrived at Cue. The new hospital will be one storey, and from the plans it should meet all requirements for the coming summer, even if we should be unfortunately visited by the typhoid fiend. The principal ward will be a light and airy room, 32ft x 20ft, a second ward, 20ft x 14ft. 6in, being also provided. Bathrooms are fitted up in both, the water supply being drawn from a huge tank, 10ft x 10ft. fed by a force pump. The doctor's quarters will also be more in accordance with civilised ideas than any of the residences at present occupied by the medical profession on the Murchison. It is expected that the new building will be finished within the next 14 weeks." [Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette, 25/8/1894, p2] The new hospital was not large enough for the needs of the district and medical staff was forced to utilise the old hospital tents. [26/2/1896] Additions were made to the hospital in 1896, which included a new hospital kitchen designed and supervised by A. E. Cox. [17/6/1896] This building was described as "large and substantial" and built of bastard granite. [3/10/1896, p5] Further additions were made by contractors, Little and McInnes in 1902 for a cost of 228 pounds. [Government Gazette, 21/2/1902, p787] The hospital closed in 1942.

Condition

Ruins

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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