Window’s are part of our daily lives but some window’s are more than just glass. Stained glass window’s often tell a story and offer special meaning. Lets take a look at some of the stained glass window’s throughout CALHN.
Royal Adelaide Hospital
In 1972 as part of the Royal Adelaide Hospital Redevelopment a purpose built chapel was opened on the former RAH site (North Terrace). Upon completion it was realised there was very little ornamentation. A committee was formed to care for the chapel. In late 1981 the committee decided to have a stained glass window installed. After much discussion as to its position inside the chapel, the design and colours, the committee commissioned South Australian glass artist Cedar Prest to create the window. The funding for the window was largely from private donations from Royal Adelaide Hospital staff. Officially unveiled on 14 July 1982.
We have many people to thank for its installation. Miss Cedar Prest for her great artistry, her love and care with which she created the window – her knowledge of stained glass windows especially pertinent to a religious theme. Sister Olga Knappstein’s Window Unveilling Speech
The window is titled “The Good Samaritan” , the artist Cedar Prest states ‘At the top is a ministering angel and flowing over the stylised nurse and patient and the Good Samaritan at the base is a golden light which symbolises the interpretation of the loving care of God in the work of the ministry of healing’.
The chapel was previously located on the lower floor of the Residential Wing, old Royal Adelaide Hospital (North Terrace site). When the hospital moved sites, the window was removed. Finally after much discussion it was reinstalled at the Repatriation Health Precinct at Daw Park. The Residential Wing was demolished in 2022.
Read more about the Royal Adelaide Hospital Chapel https://healthmuseumsa.org.au/2024/08/a-faithful-journey/
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
The memorial stained-glass window was funded by the Returned Nurses Association in honour of nurses who had served in war. It was designed by Cedar Prest and was intended as a tribute to all Nurses who served in war. The window originally comprised of 12 panels divided into thirty sections. It depicts the Boer War and World War 1 & II and ends with a tribute to those who lost their lives in the Banka Strait massacre of 1942.
In 1959 the chapel in the Nurses Home was completed and the window was dedicated to Sir Donald Dunstan (Then Governor of South Australia). In 2004 the chapel was demolished and 8 of the panels were moved. Presently these panels illuminate the linkway near Pridmore Garden’s. After this move it was rededicated to Her Excellency Marjorie Jackson Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE.
The blue glass ribbon along the top of the corridor was originally placed as a ‘way finding’ device in 2023.
The Artist – Cedar Prest
Melbourne born, South Australian based Stained Glass Artist Cedar Prest studied drawing at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Art School. In 1966 she completed a post diploma in stained glass from Hornsey College of Art in London.
Cedar Prest was made a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1987 for her service to the art of stained glass and to the community.
Having created the RAH and TQEH Chapel windows some of her other well known work includes:
- St Peters Cathedral (North Adelaide)(1992) – 48 clerestory stained glass windows
- Sydney International Terminal at Sydney Airport (NSW) – “Rippling glass mural” in the arrival hall
- Pieces at a number of schools including Pembroke (1999), Loreto College (2000) and Tanunda (2001)
Learn more about Cedar Prest on her website https://www.cedarprest.com.au/
Written by Kellie Branson, CALHN Health Museum