The anniversary for St John of God will mark when the Sisters began providing healthcare from a building at the site of the current hospital.

Sister Helena Lavelle and Sister Dominica O’Reilly remain in Warrnambool and continue to provide support and care to people in the community.

The milestone will be marked in October with a party, the launching of a history book and a celebratory Eucharistic Mass at St Joseph’s Church.

Chief executive officer Glen Power encouraged residents to contribute any information they had to help build the historical document.

“We have a massive collection of old photos and memorabilia covering the past 75 years but would also like to include some of the personal reminiscences of patients, caregivers and others touched by the connection to St John of God Warrnambool Hospital,” Dr Power said. 

He said it was fitting the care of the Sisters be honoured at the anniversary celebration.

“The Sisters started a tradition of excellent care-giving on this site that we have continued and expanded to this day,” Dr Power said. 

The first hospital opened in 1940 — a year after the Sisters started providing care. 

The original hospital was replaced in 1994 by the existing 80-bed facility. 

Recent developments on the site include the $6.4 million health services centre, opened in 2010, and the $1.2 million Western District MRI facilities opened last year. 

Contributions to the history book can be submitted to info.warrnambool@sjog.org.au