by admin | Nov 29, 2014 |
The decade from 1929-1939 was one of great hardship for many Australians. In this challenging environment in 1930 the decision was made to raise funds for a new children’s ward at the Ipswich Hospital. In the days before social media, Queensland Times journalist Fred Ware, known to his many young readers as Uncle William, played a pivotal role in unifying and motivating the community behind this cause. His young readers became members of the Sunshine League which, from 1919 onwards, raised funds for necessary items for the Ipswich Hospital. A decade later, Uncle William encouraged League members to take on the herculean task of raising funds for a much-needed children’s ward: “… we have only to think of how it will help a sick child to get better in a fine new building erected by the loving labour of other children, his pals, to know something of the significance and influence that our new Sunshine Ward will shed on our little friends who go there to regain their health.” After 4 years of tireless fundraising, the children of the Sunshine League together with the wider community had raised £3890, and a government grant of £5000 in 1933 enabled the Hospital Board to proceed. A Brisbane firm’s tender was accepted in 1934 for the construction of this new ward which would “embrace all modern developments in design and layout, and … be one of the most up to date of its kind in the state.” The building would comprise “four spacious wards, all the necessary offices including operating theatre, and accommodation for nursing mothers.” Endorsing the significance of their achievement,...
by admin | Feb 26, 2014 |
A colour photograph of Dr Trumpy, former Medical Superintendent of Ipswich Hospital, holding in his arms a small boy with a stethoscope draped around his neck hangs in the AE Wilcox Museum, Ipswich Hospital. The boy is Peter Merrell, and from the expression of the faces of the doctor and young patient it is evident that there is a fine rapport between them. The photograph was taken in 1960 by Nurse Beth Sneyd, daughter of well-known sports photographer for the Brisbane Telegraph Bill Sneyd, when Peter, as a two-year-old, was a patient in the former Sunshine Children’s Ward, Ipswich Hospital. Photo: taken from The Ipswich Hospital 1860 – 1991 by Ross Patrick,...
by admin | Feb 26, 2014 |
Whilst being interviewed about his impending retirement by The Queensland Times, Dr Trumpy was asked to comment about some of the most memorable incidents he managed. One incident he recalled was ‘The Goodna Explosion’ at St Patricks Convent School at Goodna in 1943. During this time it was not uncommon to find unexploded shells in the vicinity of the army camps and in this instance two boys came across the shell whilst walking in a paddock and decided to take it to school to show their classmates. At the end of school the boys were showing some friends and unfortunately they dropped it under the school building and it exploded injuring 8 children. Three ambulance cars brought the children to Ipswich Hospital where there was only Dr Trumpy and two resident medical officers, one of whom had contracted mumps. (The treatment of mumps at this time was the application of a hot antiphlogistine poultice to the affected jaw tied in a knot on the top of the head). The resident duly went to work with the poultice in place. Dr Trumpy operated on the children throughout the night and was deeply saddened when one of the children succumbed to their injuries. Image: Memorial plaque at St Francis Xavier School (previously St Patrick’s) at Goodna, to commemorate the schoolboy who died as a result of injuries sustained in the bomb...
by admin | Feb 26, 2014 |
Sister Edith Graham joined the staff of Ipswich Hospital in 1953. She moved to the Children’s Ward in 1955 and was appointed Sister-in-Charge, a position she held until her retirement in 1972. Sr Graham was fondly referred to as ‘Granny Graham’ by the student nurses, although it is understood that she did not approve of this nickname. Her colleague Sr Stephanie Shannon recalls “to student nurses and young interns Graham sailed a ‘tight ship’…under her long watch she steered all in her care safely and diligently. She set high standards of nursing care and demanded the same from those who worked with her…Her clinical observation skills were highly astute in an era prior to ‘the age of technology’ and this was never so evident as with the very sick child in the ward.” Margaret McFarlane (Director of Nursing) wrote on Sr Graham’s service card that she gave “20 years of enthusiastic service in the area of paediatrics…[she] displayed a deep understanding of sick children’s needs but was impatient with parents’...
by admin | Feb 25, 2014 |
Cleaning and dusting were part of the nurses’ daily chores in her care of her young charges. All cots and 4 posters were to be in alignment in the ward. Nets folded neatly and uniformly. Lockers cleared of ‘kid’s stuff’ and remembering hospitalisation was lengthy and kids notoriously like collecting ‘junk’!!! Quilts and sheets were mitred and the children all quietly in bed. Matron Wilcox would be accompanied by the Charge Nurse and the student nurse rostered to Peters Ward or Babies Ward. The Matron being of short stature would stand on a chair and run her fingers along the privacy screen track in search of dust particles!!!! There was many a mischievous long term patient who would delight seeing ‘their nurse’ the target of the Matron’s wrath!!! – Steph Shannon recalling student nurse days...
