The building shown above was opened in 1949 as the new nurses’ quarters at the Walcha Hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It continued in that role until 1972, by which time it had been vacant for several months and was no longer needed for its original purpose.
This allowed the Walcha Hospital Board to commence planning for the building’s conversion into a geriatric unit, a facility that had been on the agenda since 1968.
Provision of geriatric services in public hospitals was not government policy at the time and the project had stalled for want of finance and approval by the relevant authorities.
It was perhaps fortunate that three by-elections were held on February 17, 1973, with one being for the electorate of Armidale, which included Walcha.
Dr David Leitch, the endorsed Country Party candidate for the seat of Armidale, said in his campaign speech at Walcha on February 12: “The Liberal-Country Party Cabinet meeting next week will allot $10,000 to renovate the unused nurses’ quarters for use as a geriatric unit.
“I first heard of this project about two months ago and on a recent visit to Walcha gained the impression, apparently mistakenly, that the matter was proceeding satisfactorily. It was not until I received a letter from the Walcha Ex-Services Club that I realised that an impasse had been reached. I then phoned the Premier, Mr. Askin, who promised to allot the money and told me to say work would start as soon as the contract was signed.”
The resulting 11-bed Elizabeth Crosse Rehabilitation and Assessment wing was fully occupied when officially opened in July 1974 by George Slough, deputy chairman of the Health Commission of NSW.
The resulting 11-bed Elizabeth Crosse Rehabilitation and Assessment wing was fully occupied when officially opened in July 1974 by George Slough, deputy chairman of the Health Commission of NSW.
Councillor C.R. Gibson, in his speech welcoming the visitors and guests to the function, acknowledged the contributions to the project made by the Hospital Auxiliary and Younger Set, the Rotary, Lions and Apex service clubs, the Ex-Services and Bowling Clubs and by many individuals.
The chairman of the hospital board, W.M. “Bill” Borthwick said the selection of a name for the unit was quite easy as Elizabeth Crosse had served at the hospital for a record 40 years.
More articles by Bob Walsh
