Coat of Arms of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Petimus, Docemus, Curamus After The Queen Elizabeth Hospital opened it was decided that an emblem was needed for a hospital tie. The Tudor rose was selected, due to its historical associations deemed relevant to the hospital. This lead to the granting of an official coat of arms. It was then agreed that The Queen Elizabeth […]

National Diabetes Week 12th-18th July

National Diabetes Week runs from 12th until 18th July across the country. This years theme is “Living Out Loud” and encourages people living with the condition and their families to share their wishes for better community understanding. Across CALHN Sites there are information displays set up encouraging staff, patients, carers and the public to share […]

Bountiful Brochures

We all hate getting them in the post box, and they almost always end up going straight into the rubbish bin (if they’re not left hanging on the fridge for months, saved for later use – only to expire before you ever get around to using them). Despite this, brochures remain an important medium for […]

Year in Review – 2025

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 […]

Nurses Badges Through the Years – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Nurses’ badges have changed dramatically over the years—evolving from ornate gold-and-enamel pins to the simple plastic identification cards used today. It was common place to see nurses in hospitals wearing brass and enamel badges, not something you see much in modern hospitals today. Badges were used to fasten stiffly starched detachable collars to their uniforms, […]

Illuminating – Chapel Windows

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 […]

Hello, History Festival 2025

This week marks the beginning of South Australia’s History Festival. The festival runs through the whole month of May, with this year’s theme being ‘decisions’. The CALHN Health Museum will be offering a range of events throughout the month, scattered over its multiple sites. Tour – Exploring the Infectious Diseases Hospital Explore Hampstead Rehabilitation Centres […]

60 Years of Kidney Transplants in Australia

February 21st 2025 marks 60 years since the first kidney transplant was performed in Australia. This achievement is made all the more significant by the fact that it took place at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) in Woodville. The recipient was Pasquale (Peter) Tirmacco, a 33 year old husband and father of three, who was […]

Covid-19: Five Years On

This year marks half a decade since the first notified case of Covid-19 in Australia. The first confirmed case was announced on January 25th 2020. From then, case numbers surged leading to lockdowns in Australia and worldwide. Here in Adelaide, the first case was announced on February 2nd 2020. It was in March when things […]

Souvenirs and Gifts: From Keyrings to Keepsakes

At their core, souvenirs are more than just objects – they are reminders and memories of past activities. Hospitals too, have a history of selling and exchanging souvenirs and gifts. Whether it’s a commemorative keyring or a wine glass celebrating decades of nurse training, these items hold stories of the past. Below are a small […]

Goodbye 2024

As we prepare to welcome in 2025 lets look back at what has happened in the CALHN Health Museum and CALHN in 2024. January We farewelled a long serving staff member Jonathan Hull who went onto work at the Holdfast Bay Council. Jonathan had been with us for several years and was a much admired […]

Hospital Christmas Choirs

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 […]

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION … The TQEH REVUE

Have you got your ticket? Now on with the show. In August 1966 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital a society was formed to strengthen staff relationships and bring together members from all over the site from nurses, doctors and even administrators. All contributing to the overall morale of the hospital. And what was this magical […]

World Radiography Day

In celebration of World Radiography Day on the 8th November, we take a look at the major types of Medical Imaging utilised in South Australian hospitals. Radiography is defined as the use of imaging techniques to view the internal body for diagnosis or therapy. Perhaps the most common imaging is the X-ray which uses electromagnetic […]

The Desk with a Secret

This rather ordinary looking desk at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital holds a secret. All you have to do is pull the desk drawer open, and all its secrets are revealed… On the base of the inside of the desk drawer are the scrawled messages of trainee nurses from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. They range in […]