Kingscote Nursing Home

Proposed Nursing Home.

A meeting of ratepayers and residents was held in the District Hall, Kingscote, last Saturday afternoon to consider the establishment of a nursing home at Kingscote. Mr. R. E. Wheaton (Chairman of the Council) presided over a good attendance. He stated the council had considered the question and enquiries had been made. In his opinion a Government subsidy was out of the question. The council had offered to pay the rent of a suitable building if the people would furnish it and pay the retaining fee to a trained nurse. Two available buildings were inspected bnt as neither complied with the requirements of the Act tbey were out of the question. He suggested that funds be raised for a new building to be erected by means of subscriptions and entertainments. Already an offer had been made by Cr. Burgess, who was willing to give two blocks of land in Kingscote. A discussion followed and questions were answered. It was moved by Mr Wiadrowski and seconded by Mr Harry that a nursing home be established at Kingscote. The home to be in charge of a trained nurse. It was also resolved that a committee of 6 work in conjunction with the council to make further inquiries and report at a meeting to be held in a month's time. The following were appointed to act on the committee :— Dr. Lermitte, Dr. Seager, Mrs Wheaton, Messrs H. J. Wiadrowski and F. Kasehagen.

Proposed Nursing Home. (1927, October 15). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191544680

Proposed Nursing Home.

The question of a Hospital or Nursing Home being established at Kingscote, has been a matter of debate among residents of the district for many years. The need of it has been generally recognised by the women folk, but among the male

residents, the question of its up keep has been the main point of consideration. They want to know how it is to be carried on successfully. Very few men, (no matter how strongly they feel that a Nursing Home is necessary), care to be connected with any movement, that may perhaps turn out a failure. Others are opposed to it, owing to their desire, not to assist any movement which may add to the rates imposed by the District Council. The matter of an extra rate will not be brought into this business and as to whether a Nursing Home would be a failure, time alone will tell. The report of the meeting held last Saturday clearly points out that the committee suggest that a building be erected and furnished. That money be raised by subscriptions etc. for that purpose. That it be handed over to a qualified Nurse to run it on similar lines to the Nursing Home at Penneshaw. The nurse to receive a subsidy towards maintenance and collect ail fees. Inquiries have already been made by qualified nurses, willing to take on the management of the Nursing Home on those conditions. The District Council, or Committee to whom the Home is vested, would not be troubled as far as the management was concerned. The meeting last Saturday was not largely attended, but most of those present desire to see a Nursing Home established, and the committees appointed, are setting out to see if it is possible to collect enough money to build a small house for that purpose. It is not intended to erect a large building, but a house large enough to have two separate rooms for the nurse. It will be built in such a manner that it can be enlarged at a later date. The committees hope to receive the generous support of the residents of the district. 

Proposed Nursing Home. (1927, November 19). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191555140

Kingscote Nursing Home. c.1930.

Working bee building a brush fence, Kingscote Nursing Home. c.1930.

[1938] Kangaroo Island Hospitals.

Letters have appeared in the city papers this week dealing with matters affecting K.I. Hospitals. 

This being a local matter, we would like to point out to the writers, that in our opinion, our columns should have been used, instead of those of the city press. Our columns have always been at the disposal of our readers, no letters being refused, except those of a nature which might involve us in a libel action, or those filled with personal abuse, which usually show that the writer has a very weak case. Although do doubt thousands on the mainland will read the letters in the city papers, the only persons really interested are our Parliamentary Representatives, Members of the Government and the Inspector General of Hospitals. Here on the Island all our readers are more or less interested in our Hospitals, and for this reason we feel that the letters in the city papers were really only wasted ink. [as was the above paragraph - Ed.]

We recognise that the matter under view is an important one and from the point of view of Dudley residents a serious one and personally we are opposed to the idea of that District, being brought in under Hospital Rating. It appears however (according to some of the letters appearing in the city press) that there is some misunderstanding on several matters. A motion was carried without any opposition, 'that the management of the Kingscote Nursing Home be handed over to the Kingscote District Council etc.' This may clear up one point. Another point is that neither the Chairman of the Kingscote District Council or any of his Councillors are responsible for the suggestion that the District of Dudley be rated for Hospital purposes. 

When Dr Jeffries, Inspector General of Hospitals visited Kingscote on the 10th of December of last year, he met the Kingscote Nursing Home Committee and at that meeting he stated that the Adelaide Hospital was overcrowded with patients. He expressed concern at the number of cases being sent there from Kangaroo Island and after inspecting the Kingscote Nursing Home he said he felt sure that if an operating theatre and several more rooms were added, most of the cases which were being sent to Adelaide, could be treated here. 

If the Government spent money on the building, it would become a Subsidized Hospital and a rate would be declared embracing the whole of the Island. Members of the Nursing Home Committee expressed their objections to te Dudley District being rated and we personally pointed out to Dr. Jeffries that the Dudley residents had for nearly twenty years conducted their own little Hospital. That they intended to enlarge the building, and in our opinion, Dudley District could well be left out of the scheme. Apparently from the tone of the letters appearing in the City Press the Inspector General of Hospitals still holds the opinion that the whole of the Island should be rated, and perhaps when he visited Penneshaw recently he informed the Members of the Dudley District Council of his intention. 

Dr. Jeffries has the power to impose a Hospital rate, whatever may be the opinions of the Councillors in the Districts concerned. No doubt he considers that the Kingscote Hospital is needed, and that it has justified its new method of management. For despite the inconvenience and disabilities caused by the lack of an operating theatre, residents would be surprised if they knew the number of operations (several of a serious nature) which have been performed there, mostly by Dr. Welch, during the past six months.

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), Friday 21 October 1938, page 2

First baby to be born in the new building 26 July 1930 - Arthur Stanley Kasehagen  

http://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/2953299/first-baby-born-at-kingscote-hospital/

Council took over the nursing home early June 1938 planning to make it a hospital.

TO THE EDITOR . (1938, November 11). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 6.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191424252

The new nurses' quarters were opened a couple of weeks later, and they were calling it a "hospital".

Kingscote District Hospital. (1939, June 30). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191416772

Mrs Maitland-Pattison's residence "Gunyah" becomes a private maternity nursing home:

From Mrs E. Maitland-Pattison applying for the Registration of her residence in Kingscote as a Private Hospital. Received, and on the receipt of a favorable report from the Officer of Health it was resolved that this application be approved for one patient only.

District Council Kingscote. (1937, November 26). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191420022

From Officer of Health recommending that Mrs Ethel Maitland-Pattison's Premises in Township of Kingscote be licensed as a Maternity Home to take two beds only. Received and resolved that Mrs Pattison's application be approved and the premises licensed for two beds.

District Council Kingscote. (1938, June 3). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191420469

PROFESSIONAL NOTICE Sister Maitland-Pattison resumes duty in her private maternity hospital as from this date.

Advertising. (1939, December 8). The Kangaroo Island Courier(Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191419865

Matron Rowe has returned to duty at the Kingscote District Hospital after an absence of nearly eight

months. During her stay in the Eastern States she obtained her third Certificate.

PERSONAL. (1941, February 21). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191419674

The name "Gunyah" 

Family Notices. (1942, August 6). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 12. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92380881

Mrs Sharpe's Private Nursing Home 1920 - 1930, Giles Street, Kingscote (previously at Petersburg).

Family Notices. (1921, March 19). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191552023

There was a large gathering at the Kingscote District Hall on Thursday evening to bid farewell to Mrs Sharpe. The evening was spent in dancing, magical items and games, and a very enjoyable time was spent. ... Messrs E. B. Pledge, W. L Ayliffe, F. Wakelin and W. W. Cook in speaking regretted the departure of Mrs Sharpe, and wished her success in the future. They pointed out the great loss the district had sustained, owing to the closing up of the nursing home, and Mrs Sharpe and her family would be greatly missed, as they had been prominent in all movements for the advancement of the district.

VALEDICTORY (1926, June 12). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191550842

Geoffrey Chapman posted this on https://www.facebook.com/groups/GUOKI/

I had a chat with my sister Patricia today as she was a nurse from about 1951 to 1958. From her memory, at that time there was a Matron, [Thelma Buick] 2 sisters and about 4 nurses, [Bubna sisters, Warner, Neave & Plummer plus Trish]. 

The old hospital had six main rooms with a wide passage - all polished jarrah floors. 5 of the rooms had 4 or more hosptal beds- the other room was used as a operation theatre.

Out the back [western side] there was a lean to that housed the kitchen and Matron's office. adjoining the western section [ but not attached] was the nurses quarters- of about 7 or 8 rooms, plus a kitchen and dining room.  

On the northern side there was a large room used for infectious diseases. On the southen side was another lean to filled with glass windows for the patients to sit plus a large midwifery room & babies room.

We believe the stone for the foundations would have been made about the 1930's but the hospital would not have been fully operational for about 18 months and then it would have officially opened.

South of the hospital , Dr Bunty Burnell had a home and surgey. After Bunty the next Dr was Dr Hall.

Before Bunty was Dr Frank Welsh who had his surgey further up the road [ where the cellar/ bomb shelter was]. At that house he had a couple of rooms next to his sugery for recovering patients. Prior to him there was another Dr who had a house and surgery on the coner of Buller street & the Esplanade. a Mrs Ayliffe and several other ladies ran a boarding houses for elderly women and men.

There was definately a hospital at Penneshaw [ up on the hill which was run by a sister & a couple of helpers] - I beleve Dr's from Kingscote used to made a special trip every week or so for patients- but the Penneshaw people would have better details.

Remember this is from Patricia's memory and what I already had.

If you think some of this could be wrong and dates dont match etc thats fine- but remember this, it is in the period from about late 1940's to about the mid 1950's -not the late 1960s- 1990's.

ROWE, Jessie Pearl  
b. 07 Jun 1905 Riverton, SA
e. Electoral roll BET 1939 & 1941 Kingscote, Kangaroo Island trained nurse

BOEHM, Frances May  
b. 19 Apr 1909 Georgetown, SA
d. 1977 unmarried
e. Burial Burra Cemetery
e. Electoral roll 1943 Kingscote, Kangaroo Island registered nurse

McBEATH, Mary Cecelia
b. 06 Oct 1921 Meningie, SA
e. Electoral roll 1943 Kingscote, Kangaroo Island probationer nurse

From Dene Cordes 22 Feb 2017

Ethel Maud Maitland Pattison’s home on the corner of Esplanade and Buller Street, Kingscote, was her own private residence. She and the Dr owned it, lived in it, and they carried out medical care in it. When she died, I went to the public Sale of the house and the contents. It attracted a lot of people.

Yes, the present K.I. District Hospital which was formerly the Nursing Home is only 200 metres south of the Pattison Maternity Home “Gunyah”. It was a large home and was obviously intended for private medical care.

Mrs Sharpe’s Nursing Home was in Giles Street, Kingscote, almost opposite George Lonzar’s present home – I should ask him for the street number of the Nursing Home. You can tell, by looking at it, that it was more than “just a house”.

Ladies Auxiliary for the Kingscote District Hospital.

After the closing of the Kingscote Red Cross branch Mrs R. Wheaton spoke re the formation of Ladies Auxiliary for the Hospital. There followed a general discussion and the eighteen ladies present agreed on the formation of the auxiliary.

Mrs Wheaton was elected presi dent. It was further decided that one representative be appointed from MacGillivray, Cygnet River, Wisanger ond two representatives from Kings cote together with the Matron of the hospital to comprise the committee The following ladies were finally elected to the committee. Mrs W. R. Boxer, Mrs Shepherd, Mrs Mo Kenzie, Mrs Zeitz with a vacancy for a Cygnet River representative to be appointed. After being discussed at some length it was decided that a record be kept of the ladies who wish to assist the hospital. All the ladies present signifying their willingness to help, and to increase the membership list of the auxiliary. 

Those present ware Mesdames R. Wheaton, U. Smith, W. R. Boxer, F. Davidson, G. Turner, D. Bell, A. S. G. Barrett, H. McKenzie, C. Zeitz, D. Lade, D. Thomas, D. Shepherd, J. Elsegood, F. Elsegood senr., A. Barnes, E. Ruthven, A. B. Zeitz and H. Townsend, Apologies were received from Mesdames V. Wallis, L. Pattison. G. Johncock, Matron Warland, Misses E. Gasmier, M. Morris, E. Anderson and Mesdames H. Riley, H. Morris and J. Bennett. The Committee will meet the Matron at the Hospital on each Council day, and sewing etc , will be distributed amongst members of auxiliary by the Committee.

Ladies Auxiliary for the Kingscote District Hospital. (1946, August 23). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191439127 

A large cement tank to hold about 6,200 gallons of water, is being erected by Mr V. B. Boothey at the rear of the Nursing Home. Mr B. Wheaton is supervising and assisting in the erection of the tank.

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), Saturday 2 August 1930, page 2