DIPHTHERIA and tuberculosis were the great medical challenges when St John of God Hospital opened in Warrnambool as World War II commenced.
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While the once-feared diseases are no longer commonplace, the hospital’s commitment to medical care has remained strong over 75 years.
Doctors, nurses and other staff past and present took part in four days of celebrations to mark the occasion, including a nostalgic function on Saturday night. More than 150 people attended the weekend event.
At the ceremony, Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh met with the nurse who was present at his 1965 birth — Sister Denise Maloney.
St John of God Warrnambool chief executive Glen Power said the hospital’s formative years were challenging, with half of the region’s doctors occupied with war service. “The sisters and other staff had to be multi-skilled during those war years due to shortages,” Dr Power said.
“In the one week they might cook meals, attend to tonsil patients and be on hand for birth deliveries. Their hard work was instrumental to the hospital’s early success.”
A Catholic Mass capped off proceedings on Sunday, at St Joseph’s Warrnambool Church, with Ballarat diocese bishop Paul Bird acting as principal celebrant. Author Helen Penrose has compiled a book on St John of God Warrnambool’s history — Seeds of Hope — which is available from the hospital.