Merry Christmas from CALHN Health Museum – 2025
After a year full of uncertainty we look forward to celebrating the festive season. Although our decorations have been scaled back there is still so much to celebrate.
This year’s festivities began with decorating the Museum. Although we did not enter the annual CALHN Christmas Decorating Competition, instead focusing our efforts on creating a welcoming and festive environment for staff, volunteers, and visitors.
As part of our Christmas educational program, we participated in a guided tour of Glenside Health Services (formerly Parkside Lunatic Asylum), conducted by David, a CALHN Health Museum volunteer. With over 30 years of experience working at Glenside Hospital, David provided valuable firsthand insights into the site and its history.
Part of the tour went into Z Ward (ward for the “criminally insane”). It was here that we learnt of the history of this building and the types of patients that were housed there. Various other highlights of the tour included the morgue, chapel, operating theatre and R2 and R3 (X) Wards (Cottages for the Intellectually disabled). You can learn more about Glenside Hospital at https://glensidehospitalhistoricalsocietyinc.com/
Afterwards there was a short stroll to the nearby Parkside Hotel for our Christmas lunch. Before lunch was served we had our annual Secret Santa gift exchange.
As we look forward to 2026, take a look at what we have achieved in 2025 – https://healthmuseumsa.org.au/2025/12/year-in-review-2025-calhn-health-museum/
Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers for their endless efforts.
Merry Christmas from the CALHN Health Museum and we hope to see you all in 2026!!!
Written by Kellie Branson, CALHN Health Museum
