The smell of freshly washed sheets.

Greg Parrey shares his memories of Maitland Hospital:

I remember during the 50s and early 60s going to visit my grandmother who worked in the laundry at the hospital: the smell of freshly washed sheets and starched uniforms was something you didn't forget. My Nan would take my brother and I around to the kitchen for a freshly baked biscuit or cake and the smell of the cooking was unbelievable. 

Phyllis Parrey, Greg’s grandmother, 1950s.

My memories also include the first time I was admitted to hospital as a 4-year-old on, of all days, Christmas eve 1955 after I had my arm caught in the ringer of a washing machine, and then up to the time my wife was admitted last year. 

Me as a 13-year-old.

Me at 20.

Pam as the 18-year-old I fell in love with.

Pam and I on our wedding day, 19 February 1971.

Pam went in because she was having trouble breathing and with a racing heart. The attention and compassion she received from the doctors and nursing staff was unbelievable. I never expected that the three weeks that she was there would be the last weeks we spent together. I never got the opportunity to thank the staff so I take this opportunity to thank the doctors and nursing staff and then, towards the end, the palliative care team for all the comfort and compassion they showed to Pam and myself in her last days. 

Pam Parrey in later life.

I hope with the completion of the new hospital that the memories and lessons learnt from the old hospital are carried forward to the new because every time I go past the old hospital I get to remember my wife and grandparents.

The photographs used in the story come from Greg Parrey’s personal collection.