Traditionally, Christmas festivities in our Central Adelaide Local Health Hospitals have been a time of celebration. From carol singing and festive decorations to special meals, these traditions have brought joy to patients, staff, and visitors alike. Carol singing, in particular, has played a special role in spreading holiday cheer, distracting patients from their surrounds and creating a sense of belonging during the festive season.
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Since the 1950s, the Royal Adelaide Hospital has had a Christmas Choir composed primarily of hospital nurses. Originally, the choir would try and visit every ward in the hospital in a single night. At its peak, the choir consisted of well over 60 members, although by the late 1960s, participation had dwindled to about 20.
In 1974, Julia Horrocks, a Nurse Educator, took the initiative to revitalize the hospital’s Christmas activities. She sought approval from the Director of Nursing, Pamela Spry, who encouraged her efforts while emphasizing that the choir should be inclusive of all hospital staff, not just nurses.
Under Julia’s passionate recruitment efforts, the choir flourished. By Christmas 1975, they had the strength to form two separate choirs. Fundraising events organized by the hospital’s social group, SARAH, provided the necessary resources for costumes and music. When Julia Horrocks resigned in 1993, the Choir continued for a few more years. However, by 2000, the choir had ceased to exist.
Northfield Wards of Royal Adelaide Hospital (Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre)
When the site first opened in 1932 as the Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital, carol singers were typically not allowed to visit due to the high number of infectious patients. Instead, charitable organizations would distribute Christmas presents and care packages to the hospital. Over time, as immunization programs reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases, the site transitioned to governance by the Royal Adelaide Hospital and was renamed Northfield Ward of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. With this change came an increase in nursing home and rehabilitation patients. Gradually, carol singers—and in this case, bands—began entertaining patients at Northfield Wards during the holiday season.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
From early on in its existence, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital would hold its Christmas Carol Service in the Chapel. During Christmas week, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Staff Choir sang carols from the Chapel at 9am every morning. These were broadcast via Tanoy across the hospital Quadrangle for the appreciation of patients and staff. As well as singing in the chapel the choir would perform in front of the hospital Christmas Tree in the Quadrangle. This took place just as visiting time was over and many of the patients and their visitors lingered to hear the choir sing.
Written by Margot Way, CALHN Health Museum