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From: "Robyn and Trevor Ramsey" <>
Subject: Ceduna bush hospital
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 07:44:40 +1200


Hi Everyone

I am interested in finding out more about the early history of the bush
hospital at Ceduna. I believe Eliza Agnes PEARSON, married name
HIRTES(1918), was involved with it around 1915. I wondered if anyone would
have information which could confirm her involvement or where I might find
such information.

I found the following information here:
http://www.erhs.sa.gov.au/6hospitals/Ceduna/history.php?mode=TEXT

History Of The Ceduna District Health Service

In 1919, after reports from missionaries about medical difficulties in
outback settlements in Australia, the Anglican Church in Sydney formed a
Bush Church Aid Society (BCA). Sister Doris Percival from Sydney was sent in
1925 to open a small cottage hospital in a galvanised iron house a mile and
a half from Ceduna. This house is still standing today at the Ceduna Airport
Caravan Park. In 1931 a second BCA hospital was opened in East Tce to
replace this one.

Work began in 1936 to build a new hospital at the site of the current one.
The Murat Bay District Hospital Foundation Stone was laid by Mrs IJ Warnes,
state President of the Country Women's Association on the 29 th of June
1936.The hospital opened on the 1 st of Feb 1937, and was staffed by the
Bush Church Aid Society until 1968 when the District Council of Murat Bay
took over. As the township grew, a Hospital Board of Management was formed
by way of public elections.

Regards
Robyn
NZ

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