The following memories and stories about the Maitland Hospital emerged from background research, and from being shared by artists, staff, volunteers, patients and community members.
A modern geriatric unit.
Maitland Hospital’s acquisition of ‘Melbee’ and its conversion to ‘a modern geriatric unit’.
Books and records.
Textbooks, administrative records, photographs, plans and other paper-based documents from the Maitland Hospital Collection.
Behind the scenes.
1940s and 1950s snapshot photographs of Maitland Hospital maintenance, kitchen and laundry staff.
Did we really look like this?
Photographs and memories of the fundraising hospital revues organised by the hospital’s CEO Ron Pickett in the early 1980s.
We’re waiting with you.
Photographs from the Maitland Hospital Collection that capture moments of waiting, watching, helping and lounging around as well as celebratory and commemorative occasions. Prints of the photographs are now on the walls of the Outpatient wait areas in the new Maitland Hospital.
Measuring, diagnosing, treating.
A selection of medical and surgical equipment from the Maitland Hospital Collection.
Nurse Finney.
Nancy Finney’s daughters share photographs and memories about their Mum’s training and work as a nurse at Maitland Hospital from 1933 to 1944.
Pathology 2021.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of the hospital’s pathology unit taken in mid-2021.
Health Services Unit 2021.
Catharine Neilson’s evocative photographs of the Health Service’s Unit building (the former R L Williams’ Nurses Residence) taken in late 2021 as services were packing up in preparation for the move to the new Maitland Hospital at Metford.
Occupational therapy 2021.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of the Maitland Hospital’s occupational therapists, their equipment and facilities.
Maternity, birthing and special care 2021.
Catharine Neilson photographs of the Maternity, Birthing and Special Care Units taken during 2021.
Medical imaging 2021.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of the Medical Imaging Unit taken in January 2021.
Executive suite 2020-2021.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of staff in the Executive Suite and their offices at different times during 2020 and 2021.
Shot off a finger top.
Kelvin Russell shares the story of a cousin who ended up in Maitland Hospital after using a somewhat extreme first aid technique for snake bite.
Collected Memory.
An overview of the Collected Memory Project and its outcomes in documenting, sharing and celebrating Maitland Hospital’s long history through art and displays in the new Maitland Hospital, an exhibition, this website and community engagement.
Dental clinic 2021.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of the hospital’s Dental Clinic taken on 24 May 2021.
Volunteers 2021.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of Maitland Hospital Volunteers during 2020 and 2021.
Catering 2021.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of the hospital kitchen and the cafeteria in 2021.
A grand ruckus.
Kelvin Russell on his great-great-grandfather James Charles Russell who was resident surgeon at the Maitland Hospital for a short and tension-ridden period in 1859-1860.
Safe milk for your child.
Mid-twentieth century public health posters in the Maitland Hospital Collection.