A modern geriatric unit.
“Maitland Hospital is establishing a modern geriatric unit in Melbee, one of the city’s most gracious homes.”
‘Melbee’, early twentieth century.
Source of the photograph unknown. The photograph was shared by Robyn Bailey on ancestry.com.au in 2019.
Built in 1904, ‘Melbee’ was originally the residence of local auctioneer and identity Edward W. Sparke and his family. It was named after the property owned by Sparke’s mother’s family, the Mackays, in Dungog. During the early decades of the twentieth century the family made the house and its grounds available for fundraising and other events for Maitland Hospital and the Maitland Benevolent Society.
As early as 1939 Maitland Hospital Secretary R.L. Williams suggested that ‘Melbee’ could be acquired in order to make provision ‘for the aged, who could not be regarded as acute hospital cases, but who were definitely in need of nursing attention’ (Maitland Mercury, 25 August 1939), and in 1941 the Maitland Hospital Board supported the idea of acquiring Melbee to provide ‘a home for convalescent and chronic care’ (Maitland Mercury, 25 April 1941). It was not until 1966, however, that the house and land were added to the hospital.
Between 1968 and 1970 the building was converted for use as a geriatric unit. The conversion included demolition work as well as taking out ‘some walls and fireplaces’, retiling the roof, enclosing verandahs, and tiling the floors (Maitland Mercury, 28 August 1968).
Views of ‘Melbee’ during the conversion to a geriatric unit, 1968-1970.
(Newcastle Region Library press clippings)
Maitland Mercury article outlining the features of the ‘modern geriatric’ treatment, early 1970.
(Newcastle Region Library press clippings)
‘Melbee’ opened on 16 March 1970. It had facilities for 19 inpatients with a nursing staff of 10 and a domestic staff of three (Maitland Mercury, 27 February 1970). The unit also provided care and assistance for outpatients.
Browsing this story inspired Susan Dredge to share a memory and a press clipping about her grandmother’s adoptive parents, William and Agnes Tobin. She writes:
On 30 June 1978, East Maitland locals William and Agnes Tobin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. It was the first Golden Wedding anniversary held at ‘Melbee’, with staff organising a memorable celebration for them. Champagne was on offer, as well as finger food and a special iced cake. Staff, patients and visitors had a lovely time.
Press clipping about the Golden Wedding anniversary provided by Susan Dredge.
Susan also provides the following background about the Tobins:
William and Agnes were married on 30 June 1928 at The Branch (near Stroud). William was a labourer, while Agnes undertook domestic duties. While they had no biological children, they did raise a close family relative. They moved around a bit for William’s work, but eventually settled at East Maitland. When life got more challenging, they went to Melbee for a time, and then entered Oban Convalescent Home at Raymond Terrace. William died in 1979 and Agnes in 1982.
The 1992 Conservation Plan for the hospital described Melbee as ‘aesthetically and architecturally, one of the more significant buildings on the hospital site’.
In 1995 what had become the rehabilitation unit celebrated its 25th birthday and, soon after, was relocated to another part of the hospital.
(Maitland and District Historical Society Pamphlet Files)
By 2018 ‘Melbee’ was home to Community Mental Health.
Views of ‘Melbee’, July 2019.
(Janis Wilton)
First posted: 8 Oct 2021
Updated: 20 April 2024