As the year draws to an end, the volunteers and staff at the CALHN Health Museum conclude yet another productive and busy chapter.
In 2025, the museum welcomed 5 new volunteers: Oliver, Karen, Yasamin, Edith and Billy. And welcomed back two, Chris and Delia.
The year began on a slightly sombre note with the passing of former volunteer and pioneer in nursing and education, Joan Durdin aged 102.
As always, May means History Festival for the museum. The events on offer this year included:
- a fascinating (with a family connection) talk by one of our volunteers Robyn, followed by a viewing of TQEH display space;
- site tour of Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre with a focus on the decommissioned buildings which were once part of the Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital;
- exhibition titled Nursing: Heroes DO Wear Capes which explored the impact nurses have made at Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre.
The total attendance number for History Festival 2025 was 190 attendees. On top of this, the museum receives regular enquires throughout the year about conducting guided tours of both TQEH and HRC.
Also held in May is National Volunteer Week. This year’s annual volunteer luncheon organised by the SA Health Volunteer Service Unit was held at SkyCity. It is the company’s chance to recognise all of its volunteers and the work they do.
Some of the CALHN Health Museum volunteers got a certificate recognising their many years of committed service:
15 years: Karen Lai
10 years: Glenda Schomburgk and Jan Hooper
Another milestone achieved this year was the completion of The Queen Elizabeth Chronology 1994 – 2012. Written and collated by volunteers Pam Venus and Jan Hooper, this labour-of-love piece is the culmination of 12 years research and 80 plus combined years of employment at TQEH. In addition to the chronology, a senior selective staff listing and structure & leadership staff listing was also compiled.
Click HERE to read the chorology.
It was also a significant year for museum staff member Kellie, whose pet research interest in the Both brothers took centre stage. Kellie’s work gained wider attention when she was featured in an ABC News article highlighting the history and innovations of the Both brothers and their company, Both Equipment Limited. The article and Kellie’s knowledge attracted interstate visitors and sparked strong public interest, with many museum attendees expressing the same sentiment: ‘Why isn’t there a dedicated Both Museum?’
Click HERE to read the article.
Kellie was also responsible for conducting this years in-house educational. The focus was on how to manage and preserve leather goods in the collection, through correct practises. After the educational, everyone was invited for a group shared lunch.
Margot, the museum’s leader, was invited to deliver a series of engaging talks to a wide range of community groups throughout the year, sharing the museum’s work, collections, and ongoing initiatives.
A key focus throughout the year was the Oral History Project. With over 10 conducted throughout the year, a wealth of knowledge about how things operating in the hospital sphere have been recorded and preserved for future generations. Anna, another staff member at the museum, conducted multiple through the year, including some on the museum volunteers.
Later in the year the museum acquired one its largest collection pieces, the original 1932 Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital pharmacy! This is a great acquisition and is currently in the restoration process, ready to be put on show during History Festival 2026.
To close the year off, the museum staff and volunteers went on their final educational for the year followed by a group lunch and Secret Santa gift exchange. The group got a guided tour of Glenside Health Services (formally Parkside Lunatic Asylum), by David, who is a volunteer at the museums Glenside site. It was a great day out and a wonderful chance to get to know each other a bit better.
Now for some quick stats for 2025!
Between the museums 18 dedicated volunteers, a total of 5 732 hours were spent volunteering. Of those 5,732 hour:
- 597 was spent on typing;
- 274 on planning, assembling and dismantling displays;
- 507 hours on researching;
- 308 hours organising and cleaning;
- 460 items accessioned, catalogued and placed into storage.
In comparison, the History Trust of SA has 65 volunteers, who dedicated 5 117 over 2024/25.
As always, a big thank you to all of the CALHN Health Museum volunteers for your continued support and hard work!
Written by Anna Grigoriev, CALHN Health Museum