This year one of our events for the SA History Festival was a tour of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. These tours were led by some of our wonderful volunteers, all former nurses that worked in the hospital. It was wonderful to hear their stories, and get a glimpse into what it was like to work […]
The Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre has undergone a number of changes in its history. From name changes to transitioning from a infectious diseases hospital to a rehabilitation facility. One aspect that has changed over time is the built environment of the hospital site. The short video below highlights the changes that it has undergone. Starting in […]
The CALHN Health Museum is holding a packed program of things to do at History Festival this year. TOURS We are running two tours this year: Tour of Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre It’s back! We are running our popular tour from last year again, if you missed it then book your places now to avoid missing […]
Recently the CALHN Health Museum collaborated with The Hospital Research Foundation – Creative Health to produce an exhibition titled The Happy Snaps and the Hospital Plans as part of South Australia’s History Festival 2023. On display in the Creative Health Gallery at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre is a two part exhibition showcasing some of the CALHN […]
The Annual Inter-Hospital Swimming Carnival for Nurses was held from 1954 to 1963 at the Adelaide Olympic Pool. The event was open to both public and private hospitals and was very popular. A major drawcard were the novelty events: ‘Get there as best you can’ swim race; Nurses Bathing Beauty Contest; Balloon swimming race; ‘Flappers […]
In Adelaide in April 1842, Corporal John Coles was on North Terrace conducting a military salute for the celebration of the Duke of Cornwall’s birth when an accident occurred. When priming the canon, the gunpowder exploded, destroying all four fingers of the Corporals right hand and the top of his left forefinger. The Colonial Surgeon […]
Recently members of the CALHN Health Museum took the opportunity to visit the Architecture Museum at the University of South Australia’s City West Campus. Upon arrival we were greeted by Dr Julie Collins, Architecture Museum curator. Dr Collins gave an introduction to the museum with its collection of over 200,000 items, including many architectural drawings […]
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. This is the theme for today, this year’s International Women’s Day. It’s a day devoted to honouring the achievements of women throughout history. The day is celebrated […]
Slate roof tile from the Adelaide Hospital Gatehouse The Adelaide Hospital Gatehouse was completed in early 1860’s, along with the perimeter wall and gates. Constructed from Glen Osmond stone, with a slate roof. Glen Osmond bluestone was a hard, greenish grey fine-grained sandstone. As a roof material, slate was ideal material for rooves due to […]
To help bring in the new year, I have compiled a list containing some items or events from our collection that have reached significant anniversaries in 2023. This list is just a bit of fun and is no way exhaustive, if you know of other milestones related to South Australian health history that you think […]
The Health Museum’s staff recently refreshed their skills in the preventative conservation of collection objects in the beautiful setting of the Mortlock Library, Adelaide. Part of the day included hands on practice making mounts to display museum photographs, books, and artwork. Japanese tissue paper was used to make corners for artwork and photographs to keep […]
Historically, nurse’s capes were both symbolic as well as practical. They were a standard part of a nurse’s uniform and although mainly worn in winter months, they allowed the nurse to move freely and keep uniforms clean underneath. Royal Adelaide Hospital Registered Nurse’s (known as either a Charge Nurse or Sister) at the Adelaide Hospital, […]
It was common for hospital staff to compete in sport teams under the (Royal) Adelaide Hospital name. In 1928 this included a table tennis team. Table Tennis came to Australia in the late 19th Century and was commonly known by the name Ping Pong. The photograph below shows the Adelaide Hospital table tennis team from […]
Visit to the Reactivated Repat This week our museum workers visited the Repat Health Precinct, Daw Park. Established in 1942 as a military hospital, it has undergone several rebirths over its 80-year history and is fondly remembered as the Repatriation General Hospital, or the ‘Repat’, for returned war veterans and their families. Most recently the […]
The setting of broken bones using Plaster of Paris is a common practice at Central Adelaide Local Health Network hospitals. Immobilizing broken limbs has occurred for thousands of years. Beginning with simple wooden splints, evolving over the centuries to plaster of Paris, fibre glass and soft casts. Plaster of Paris was first used in casts […]