2024 marks 75 years since the Cobram community purchased the Cobram Hospital (now NCN Health Cobram) from Dr Gerald Kennedy in 1949. The following pages celebrate some of the history of the health service, including the many staff, board and auxiliary members and volunteers whose dedication, commitment and resilience have shaped Cobram Hospital, ensured its growth and continued service to the community for 75 years
Every effort has been made to ensure the historical information is correct and we have tried to include a variety of details from personal stories, newspaper clippings, photos, annual reports and more. There are countless people who do not feature in this booklet who have played a significant role in the story and success of the Cobram Hospital from the 1940s until now. They continue to be remembered and celebrated by the Cobram Hospital and community This includes the thousands of community members who have donated their time, money and resources. Thank you.
Many thanks to Mr Peter Sutton for his diligent research and assistance and Nathalia Printers for their excellent work, professionalism and enthusiasm. We acknowledge The Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society, The Cobram Historical Society, Sandhurst Catholic Diocese archivist Dr Donna Bailey, Mr Adrian Moore and Newman College, Melbourne University.
Finally, thank you to current and past staff, board members and volunteers for your time and effort in gathering information for the 75th anniversary and above all for sharing your memories.
A Timeline of Cobram Hospital
1888
The arrival of Dr John Timothy (JT) Kennedy, aged 24, from Ireland. Dr JT Kennedy was appointed Medical Officer
1890s
Dr JT Kennedy pictured with his family
Sister Nora O’Rourke established Cobram’s first hospital.
1910 - 1911
Three cottage hospitals are being operated in Cobram. Nurse O’Rourke conducts her hospital on the south side of Queen Street between Sydney and High Streets Nurse Hamilton conducts hers on the south side of Main Street between High and William Streets. The third conducted by Mrs Howells on the south side of Punt Road between High and William Streets.
1919
Influenza Pandemic. The Fire Station is used as an emergency hospital and patients are cared for by Sister O’Rourke.
1926
Sisters Hickey and Toohey announce they are taking over Sister O’Rourke’s Private Hospital.
1928
Dr JT Kennedy dies His son Dr Gerald J Kennedy takes over his father’s practice and is appointed Medical Officer.
1930
Dr Gerald Kennedy builds ‘Lisieux’ Private Hospital in Broadway Street His father had built nearby ‘Lisfarron’ as his home, and this is taken over by Dr Gerald Kennedy.
Dr Gerald Kennedy at his graduation in 1918
Left: Matron Margaret Kennedy, nee Hickey pictured with her brother Martin Hickey and his child
1949
Lisieux is purchased from Dr Gerald Kennedy by the community to become the Cobram Hospital.
1950
The establishment of the Cobram Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
1952
Public appeal for funds which is generously supported by local organisations, families, individuals and businesses.
Six additional beds bring the total number of beds to 22.
1953
The Cobram District Hospital held a Wood Day raising approximately 400 pounds for the hospital.
March 13th, 1952
1957
Nora O’Rourke who established the first Cottage Hospital and nursed during the Influenza pandemic dies She was 95
1964
A fifteen-room nurse’s accommodation is built The Irvin Family donate more than half of the costs to build the accommodation. The nurse’s accommodation was located where the current Cobram Medical Clinic/Pathology is on Charles Street.
1966
Miss Sarah Irvin dies leaving her estate of £45000 to the hospital. These funds would be used to establish the Irvin Family Memorial Wing in 1968. Irvin House Residential Aged Care would eventually be named for the Irvin Family. Additional beds in the hospital bring the total to 30
1967
Dr Gerald J Kennedy dies
1974
Cobram Hospital awarded the Community Award by the Cobram Development Awards
1979
Irvin House Residential Aged Care opens as a 20 bed nursing home.
Staff in 1961
Back: Shirley Madgwick, Meg Crimmins, unknown, Merle Stone, unknown, Lois Davidson (McKinley) Beverley Briggs, Helen Parkinson. Front: Leo Pinnuck (President), unknown, unknown, Dr Schubert
Cobram Football Club Life Membership
Awarded to Dr G Kennedy
Cobram Development Awards, July 1974
Back: Clara Owens, unknown, Anna, Mr Richards, Manager Secretary Eva Farkas, Mary Anderson, Nellie Jones.
Front: Kath Ferns, Matron Caineson, Mrs Ackland
Mrs Eva Farkas, Manager Secretary 1952 - 1970
Excerpt from the Cobram Courier after the death of Dr Gerald Kennedy. Note the endorsement from Nora Kennedy, sister of Gerald at the bottom of the page
1987
Nurses accommodation redeveloped as a wing, housing new pathology laboratory, ancillary services and an administration section. Building is named HS West Wing.
1988
Redevelopment of accident and emergency area.
1991
Cobram Hospital Ladies Auxiliary win Community Award from the Cobram Development Awards.
1993 – 94
Patient Services redeveloped to provide new theatre and midwifery facilities and relocated some ward facilities.
1982
Cobram High School (now Secondary College) students donate funds for a glucose meter. Experimental solar hot water system installed Day room addition to Irvin House, new Children’s Ward, Nurses Station and amenities block constructed
1983
Air conditioning installed in main hospital wing.
1986
Launch of major fundraising programme for patient services redevelopment.
1994
Redevelopment of X-Ray facilities funded by the Lions Club of Cobram.
1996
Launch of a major fundraising campaign for 10 bed extension and refurbishment of Irvin House Nursing Home.
Dr Lyall bought Dr Gary Hickey’s Practice and moved to the Hospital.
1997
Irvin House refurbished at a cost of $1.8m.
1999
Palliative Care Suite opened in the hospital
Amalgamation of Dr Lyall’s and Dr Lockhart’s Clinic (Dr Lyall sold to Dr Lockhart). The clinic is named The Channel Clinic at Cobram District Hospital.
2006 Open Day: Des Shelley, Tom Hafey, Gwen Shelley
Nurses Derga and Jacinda
Front: Janine Roe and Jo Mills
Back second from left, Tess Lane, Colleen Sim and Jenny Walsh
Community Health Breakfast Event, 2007
2001
Dr Macdougall’s Surgery amalgamated with the Channel Clinic to become the ‘Cobram Medical Clinic’ The Hospital purchased the clinic and renovated the site.
2004
Day Procedure Unit completed at a cost of $159,000.
2005
The Community Health Centre Opened in the renovated Catholic Convent on Broadway street
2007
Cobram Dental Clinic purchased by Cobram Hospital with plans to move it onsite
2010
Cobram Dental Clinic opened at the Cobram Hospital site.
2018
The new Community Rehabilitation Centre/Community Health building opened at Cobram District Hospital on Charles St.
2019
Cobram District Hospital, Numurkah District Health Service and Nathalia District Hospital amalgamated to become NCN Health on July 1st.
Staff in 2005
Hopsital Fete, 2009
Irvin House Resident Frank Hogan with Nicola, 2014
2020 COVID pandemic declared by the Minister for Health, March 2020.
2021
Irvin House, Cobram kitchen and staff room redevelopment is complete by February Irvin House improvements include 14 single rooms and additional communal spaces.
The state-run Cobram Vaccination Clinic, facilitated by NCN Health Cobram opens on April 19, 2021, front line health care workers, aged care and disability staff, residents and others considered to be high risk of contracting COVID-19 were first to be vaccinated. The clinic closed in June 2022 when state funding ceased
Community Health/CRC Team in 2014
Community Health/CRC 2022
Irvin House renovations
2023
Urgent Care Centre and main entrance redevelopment begins In February. The redevelopment includes new urgent care facilities a separate entry into urgent care, new ambulance bay, two waiting areas, refurbishment of the old urgent care to create a new ultrasound room, office and toilets and remodelling of the old acute ward reception.
2024
The new Urgent Care Centre opens March 2024 stage two and three of construction continues internally and externally at Cobram until the end of the year
2024 marks 75 years since the Cobram Hospital was purchased by the community
Urgent Care Staff: Nurse Unit Manager Susan Huffer, Nomvula Kakono, Bec Jones and Gemma McGaw. Below, staff celebrate the opening of Urgent Care
Cobram District Hospital, Doctors, Staff and Community
‘Back to Cobram’ Publication, 1951
The Kennedy Family Connection
The Kennedy name is well known within the Moira Shire and the family is remembered for its contributions to the health and medical sectors within the former Tungamah, Yarrawonga, Cobram and Numurkah Shires.
Dr John Timothy (JT) Kennedy came to Cobram from Ireland in 1988 aged 24 years and established a Medical Practice. He was appointed Medical Officer, holding that role until his death in 1928. Dr JT Kennedy’s house, which he named ‘Lisfarron’, served as his surgery until his death. Lisfarron is named after a town in Ireland.
He married his wife Mary in November 1891 and together they had 8 children. Mary died in 1904 and is buried in a family grave in Beechworth, she was aged only 34 or 35. The Kennedy’s had four sons and four daughters. Three of the sons became doctors and the other, Dr Leo Kennedy, a dentist. The children were Mona (Hogan), Leo, Nora (Cassidy) Dick, Molly, Gerald, Madge (Cussen) and Adrian.
Dr Gerald Kennedy took over his father’s practice and Lisfarron after his death in 1928. Dr Gerald built a new hospital in Cobram in 1930. The hospital was named ‘Lisieux’ after St Therese of Lisieux. The hospital accepted its first patients in 1931. In 1949 the hospital was purchased by the Cobram Community.
Dr JT, Nora, Molly, Dick, Gerald, Mona and Leo. Circa 1899
Dr Gerald Kennedy married Margaret (Peg) Hickey in 1933. They had one son who died in infancy. Peg died in 1961.
The community regarded itself as very fortunate to have Dr Kennedy as their medical practitioner. He was a great diagnostician. He was passionately fond of classical music and gardening. He planted many of the trees in the hospital grounds. As he visited patients living by the river, it was said he would leave money for necessary essentials. One story recounts that he visited a girl and her mother one day and left a prescription. When the mother stated they couldn’t afford it, the Dr replied, “You’ll find it”. They did – the young girl was aware that the Dr had put something under her pillow.
Gerald was a colourful man and many patients remember him to this day. It says a great deal when residents still recall him almost 60 years after his death on Boxing Day 1967. A lot can be said about his character, as he had seen and comforted a patient on Boxing Day just hours before his own death. Kennedy Park at Thompson’s Beach is named after him. His funeral was large and attended by many residents.
Lisieux
The hospital was named Lisieux after a town in France. Dr Gerald Kennedy had a picture hanging in the entrance of St Therese of Lisieux. St Therese of Lisieux is known as the Little Flower of Jesus and is one of the most popular saints in the history of the church. She was canonized in 1925, 28 years after she died of tuberculosis aged 24 and Lisieux, France became a major place of pilgrimage. She is often represented with an armful of roses because she was said to have promised “after my death I will let fall a shower of roses.” She is the patron saint of missionaries, aviators, terminal illness, florists and gardeners, orphaned children and the homeless. Her feast day is October 1.
Lisfarron
Lisfarron was built by Dr JT Kennedy. He had commissioned an architect Leonard Flanagan to build and design Lisfarron in 1889. It was passed on to Gerald Kennedy following his father’s death in 1928. Some accounts of Lisfarron, found handwritten in hospital archives, claimed when it was first built it was a two roomed house. Then, in 1890 when the Cobram Brick Works opened, Dr JT Kennedy took the opportunity to build the double brick building.
Following the death of Gerald Kennedy, Lisfarron was sold to the Anderson Family. It was sold once more and is currently for sale (2024).
Charlie Ring
Charlie Ring was the Groom at Lisfarron, he also acted as a gardener and attended the boiler house.
The only means of transport in the early days was by horse As there was no bridge across the Murray River, Dr JT Kennedy used to swim his horse across the river to attend to his patients. Some years later he would purchase a motor car called the Hupmobile, much to the disgust of Charlie Ring
Charlie was proven right one day, when Dr Kennedy became bogged. Darkness fell and Dr Kennedy saw a light coming along the road. It was Charlie Ring who said “I knew you would need me.”
Records indicate that Charles Street, Cobram, where the Medical, Dental and Community Health are situated, is named for Charles Ring.
The Hupmobile was a line of automobiles built from 1909 through 1939 by the Hupp Motor Car Company of Detroit
Dr JT Kennedy with Groom Charlie Ring
The Irvin Family
The Irvin Family name is well known in Cobram and throughout the district The Uniting Church has Irvin Hall, there is Irvin Road and Irvin House Residential Aged Care at NCN Health Cobram.
The Irvin Family established themselves in the district arriving from the TrenthamKyneton area in 1878. They were some of the first selectors in the Yarroweyah parish taking up 260 acres The family acquired more land and Irvin Road is named for them.
With the establishment of the Soldier Settler Scheme after WW2, the family lost some of their land for the new settlement blocks at Yarroweyah
John James Irvin and his wife Fanny (Webster) had nine children who came across with them The family were; Thomas, Mary Jane, John, William, Eleanor, Elizabeth, James, Sarah and Robert. Tragically, Fanny died when the youngest child, Robert was just a year old. Only one member of the family, Robert, married but that was later in life and he had no children. The family died out after the death of Sarah in 1966.
They were generous donors to the Cobram Hospital. In the 1960’s a new Nurses home was built at the hospital. The Irvin family contributed half of the costs.
“A quote from The Cobram Courier
This family has given most generously to the hospital since its inception, but on this occasion they donated more than half the cost of the nursing home. The £2750 contributed by the family is made up as follows: William Irvin, £1000; Miss Sarah Irvin £750; Miss Mary Jane Irvin, £500 and Mr Tom Irvin, £500 The balance of the cost was made up by the Charities Commission £2100.
The Cobram Courier, 1933.
Mr W Irvin, whilst working his tractor on the farm, found the engine very hot. He unscrewed the cap of the radiator, and scalding water flew into his face, his eye being severely scalded He was ordered to consult an eye specialist in Melbourne
Miss Sarah Irvin, the last surviving family member donated money to the Presbyterian Church for a new manse and for a new Church Hall. The Presbyterian Church is now the Uniting Church. Irvin Hall is named after her.
Upon her death Sarah, bequeathed £45000 to the hospital. These funds were used to establish the Irvin Family Memorial Wing. Irvin House has been named after the family
To demonstrate the transformational nature and sheer magnitude of the gift, the average wage at the time was $60 per week
Members of the family are interred at Numurkah.
Article by Peter Sutton.
Excerpt from ‘The Story of Cobram’ by Kenn Rogers, published in 2002. Page 121.
Dr Kennedy had many patients as a result of accidents within the forest and at the mills, but in 1908 he was called to an emergency at the Irvin Household, where Sarah Irvin had developed acute appendicitis. Such an illness, more often than not was a death sentence It was a hot and dusty summer’s day Sister Edkins did her best to prepare the room in which the operation would take place, but dust kept seeping into the room and over the furniture. She was apologetic to the doctor, who said, “My dear Sister you should know that Cobram dust is sterilised! “
The operation was a success. Perhaps it was from this day that the Irvin Family became such wonderful benefactors to the Cobram community
The Cobram District Ladies Auxiliary
The Ladies Auxiliary have been supporting the health service since 1950 The incredible legacy of this group continues today, with current Auxiliary volunteers running several well supported fundraisers each year. The funds raised by the Ladies Auxiliary go towards vital resources and equipment for the hospital, medical and dental clinic and residential aged care.
Current President: Val Linquist, President 2024-25 and member since 2016
Past President: Elaine Blizzard, President 2023-24, member since 1993.
Pat Tallent, member since 1988
Mary Powell. member since 1998
Carol Wigg, member since 2003
Sue Hams, member since 2012
Marlene Edwards, member since 2012
Eve Hartshorne, member since 2014.
Pictured above right, Auxiliary members at the 2024 Movie and Devonshire Tea Fundraiser. From left Val Linquist, Sue Hams, Marlene Edwards, Eve Hartshorne, Mary Powells, Elaine Blizzard.
Pictured above Marlene Edwards and Sue Hams at the trading table at Card and Games Day in 2023
Marjorie Esler, OAM Board of Management, 1976 - 1997 President Ladies Auxiliary, 1963 - 1996 Member from 1954
Cobram Courier
Friday, December 10, 1948
Cobram Courier Thursday, April 1, 1954
Leon West
President, 1987 - 2000
Leon West and his father HS West (Haro served as Cobram Hospital Board Direc for a combined 52 two years, including 1 years respectively as Hospital President West from 1960 – 1973 and Leon 1987 – 2 They are both Life Governors
Leon says the role of the President was very hands on and during both their tenures there was a “fair bit going on.”
“I remember the Hospital Managers often spending hours in dad’s office at HS West Motors”
“After dad retired the hospital wrote to all the service clubs looking for Board Directors, which was pretty smart as the service clubs were very strong. I was in Apex and put my hand up for 12 months, but I was 26 years on the Board and Chairman (President) for 13”
Leon said there were 10 – 12 local Board Directors passionately looking out for the hospital The aim during his years on the Board and as President was to secure as many services locally as possible.
“We tried to gain as many services as we could, the plan was to turn ourselves into a mini base. We didn’t have x-ray, but we got x-ray, which was a big achievement. We had midwifery, pathology, ultrasound – anything that people had to travel for we applied for. We were successful in getting most of them on the basis that we were far enough away from Shepparton to need the service. Of course we had to get funding for them all”
Fundraising was a key focus for the Board.
“One of our major fundraising programs was the Irvin House extension. Ray Brooks was the Chairman of one of our fundraising committees and we employed professional fundraisers at them time, which was really successful. Phil Pullar (President 2000 – 2011) was Chairman of another fundraising committee, I think it was for the Out Patients Redevelopment”
“We built a new casualty department, now called urgent care, which the Barooga Sports Club contributed a significant amount of money towards”
Another improvement was the development of a Palliative Care Suite, which was initiated by the nursing staff and opened in 1999
“The nursing staff came to us one day and said they wanted a Palliative Care room, it was a brilliant idea and quite urgently needed. We applied for the funding and got knocked back. However, since it was such a good idea, we used our resources and built it ourselves Then, strangely enough, we were contacted by the regional office and told that we did get the funding after all, which covered our costs and a bit extra. That was a great project.”
“The Palliative Care suite had a lounge area, kitchenette and bedroom and opened out into its own courtyard, so people could come and go as they needed and there was privacy with no passing traffic Prior to this we had a grief room, next to the CEO’s office which was inadequate. The development of the Pall Care area is a good example of why the Board of Directors needs guidance and input from staff.”
Leon said a shortage of rural doctors was an issue in the 80s and 90s..
“At that time there was a critical doctor shortage. I spent time with the Health Minister and asked for their help I had an idea that provider numbers be allocated on a geographical basis, to push the doctors out to the bush. The Health Minister said he would help behind the scenes but it was too controversial to be publicly involved. I spent weeks and months on these issues that were critical to the hospital.”
In fact, when Dr Gary Hickey told Leon he was planning on leaving the area, an idea was formed that that made headlines.
“We created the Bush Doctor Bounty I got on the Channel 7-Today Tonight Show and we offered anyone $5000 if they introduced us to a doctor that came to work in Cobram. The doctor was offered a 6-figure salary, a car and 12 months accommodation. The story went to air and it did create some interest. I was on the phone all that night and the next day, I even had people ring me from Europe. Most of the applicants were totally unsuitable, but we did get some GPs from it”
The Board also had some success advertising in the British Medical Journal and they also set up a local scholarship for medical students
“We started a scholarship for medical students living in close proximity to Cobram. The idea was to encourage young people in the area to study medicine with a view that they may eventually return to the region The Board would keep in touch with them and provide encouragement and support. I think after I retired the program wasn’t really kept up, but it’s not over yet as there is a chance some of these doctors may return to the region.”
Left: One of the many news stories around the ‘Bush Doctor Bounty.’ This was printed in the ‘Aussie Post’ December 1998.
Setting up a medical clinic on hospital grounds was another initiative to attract and retain doctors.
“A previous Cobram Hospital CEO Chris Ward believed that a central clinic at the hospital was the way of the future. This way, the doctors didn’t need to purchase a practice, set it up, employ staff, buy equipment et cetera. They could just walk in and start earning. He was right.”
“I really enjoyed my 26 years on the Board, I certainly enjoyed my time as Chairman but after several years you need to move on. Phil Pullar was on the Board and eventually he took on the role of Chairman/President in 2000”
Mary Reid, Registered Nurse
Mary Reid started as a nurse at Cobram Hospital in 1974 having trained in Sydney at St Joseph’s Hospital
Joyce Gunnelson was Matron and she employed Mary for 6 weeks work while Nurse Norma Bell was away Mary stayed on at Cobram until her retirement in 2019. She came back during the COVID pandemic to assist with vaccination and in 2024 put her nurses cap on again to support the annual staff flu vaccination.
Mary described the Cobram Hospital as a vibrant, busy and varied place to work and pays tribute to the fantastic doctors over the years.
She said in the 70s the doctors worked across all areas, including theatre where they would also have to anesthetise the patients
“The doctors were sometimes dealing with serious accidents. It didn’t matter what time of the day or night, they were there before you knew it, and would take turns on the weekends.”
“As well as seeing patients Dr Macdougall and Martin were also doing theatre and deliveries Some of the main surgeries were appendectomies, gall bladders, things like that. In the 70s there was a theatre, a nursery and delivery suite, a midwives’ station and second labour ward area if it got busy. There was also a children’s ward with cots and a steam tent for children who had croup, although that mightn’t pass the pub test these days.”
“The nurses’ accommodation was where the medical and dental clinic are now, I think they had single rooms and shared kitchen facilities.”
“I can remember when Irvin House was built and officially open. Staff were not allowed to go into Irvin House from the main hospital to minimise any risk of infection to the residents.”
Mary says shifts were often very busy and the nurses, doctors and domestic staff had to work as a team
Back: Sheila Campbell, Joan Wilde, Doris Ackland, Reg Bourke, Mary Anderson, May Bourke, Jan McQualter.
Front: Trude Bank, Eva Farkas, Nellie Jones, Clara Owens. November, 1962
“We had 2 nurses in the general section who would also work in urgent care and one midwife We would help each other out if needed, we’d go down and assist with a delivery and the midwife would come and help in an emergency or if we were short staffed. There was no nurse to patient ratio’s in the early days.”
“Alan Pegg, John Serfozo and George Hawke were the ambulance officers – if they were going out to an emergency they would burst the siren as they went past the front of the hospital so we would know to get ourselves organised. There was only one ambulance officer on at a time, so if the patient had to go to Shepparton a nurse would go in the back of the ambulance with them”
“‘Mrs Ack’ was the cook and Verna Lincoln was one of the domestic staff. May Bourke was working in the kitchen also, she took over the cooking when Mrs Ack left. We’d work together to feed the patients and take back the plates and water jugs, it was a really good team. May Bourke’s husband Reg was the gardener and maintenance man, he could fix anything, inside or out.”
Mary officially retired in 2019, but continues to assist NCN Health Cobram as an Immunisation Nurse
Mary Reid and Lisa Aquilina in the Cobram Vaccination Clinic, 2022.
Norma Bell, Registered Nurse
Norma completed her nursing training to become a Registered Nurse in Melbourne at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Children’s Hospital and Fairfield. She said most then nurses were hospital trained and spent three years working in the hospital to gain their qualifications Norma loved working with children and had planned to return to Melbourne but married and came to Cobram where she nursed at Cobram Hospital for more than 30 years.
“Joyce Gunnelson was the Matron and the Doctors were Dr Hickey, Dr Lockhart, Dr Martin and Dr Macdougall.”
Norma said the Doctors were “brilliant” and together the health service staff managed a real variety of cases including accidents and emergencies, theatre patients and maternity. “We had footballers coming in with dislocated shoulders, the doctors would give them something for the pain and flick it back in again. Someone who had dived into the river head first and done some damage. I remember someone coming in with half a foot taken off from underneath a tractor, we had to manage all of that”
Snake bites were not uncommon and the Cobram Hospital had anti-venom on hand
“One fellow came in with a snake bite and the snake – still alive – in a shopping bag thrashing about When we gave the anti-venom we had to monitor the patient closely as it was a dangerous drug to give.”
Norma said there was a dedicated children’s ward where nurses cared for young patients who had surgery at the hospital including tonsillectomies and appendectomies. Other children were afflicted with illness such as asthma, croup, diphtheria, tetanus or whooping cough
Despite the busy nature of the work Norma said there was great team work among the nurses and doctors and they had “a bit of fun” working together and playing the odd trick on each other.
RNs Jeanie Florance, Norma Bell and Midwife Pam Giltinan.
Mary Nixon, Registered Nurse and Midwife
Mary Nixon completed three years general hospital training and another 12 months in midwifery to qualify as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RN/RM). Mary also has many fond memories working at Cobram.
“Norma and I loved our time nursing, loved using our skills and helping each other. If the ward was short the midwives would help out, and if we were under pressure, the nurses from the ward would come down to assist We were all great companions. Today we have a nurse’s lunch every 2 months and anywhere from 5 to 15 people come along. The companionship of nursing days stays with you always.”
Mary was at Cobram Hospital for about 24 years and said there were plenty of babies born, she recalls one time when they delivered three in one night. She said in the case of an emergency, if the mother or baby was distressed or a caesarean was necessary, they would be sent to Shepparton via ambulance, with the midwife following close behind.
Mary worked as the Nurse Unit Manager of Midwifery before she retired, then spent some time in education.
“They were great days”
Rosalie Fitzgerald, Enrolled Nurse
Rosalie has been a nurse for 26 years, now she spends her time between Community Health Centre as a Foot Care Nurse and Irvin House Residential Aged Care She was already a seasoned dairy farmer and a mum of four young children when she decided to retrain as an Enrolled Nurse.
“I did my Certificate IV at TAFE then trained at Baala House in Numurkah for 12 months I was able to upskill to an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse and complete my IV Training while at work.”
Rosalie says she has many memories of residents and staff over the years “There’s been many staff changes, but also plenty of staff that have been here a long time. I really enjoy working in aged care. Listening to the stories of the residents, getting to know them, It can be very hard when you are close with a resident and they pass away.”
“Sometimes on the weekends If there was a garage sale we’d take the residents around the corner to the sale. One of the staff lived across the road from Irvin House, for International Nurses Day we’d take the residents and have a garden party. We also used to set the ladies hair every day, then finish with the blow dryer and a bit of lippy and makeup.”
“The Nurse Unit Manager when I started was Helen Davies When she got her motorbike license she dressed up in her leathers and wheeled the bike through Irvin House, to the delight of the residents. One evening, to thank the staff for their hard work, she cooked us all dinner and we brought in the dessert”
Rosalie said whether it was in aged care or community health, chatting to the residents and clients was always a highlight of nursing. “I remember one of our residents George didn’t like to get out of bed until 11am. He would have all the nurses in his room offering to get him dressed for the day and eventually he would say - Oh I suppose I better get up. Then he would sit out the front greeting everyone and rolling a cigarette. He was a real character. There was also Bill Saxton, who read the paper every day, he used to say, I need to see who has been hatched, catched and dispatched! Nursing was something I always wanted to do, it has been a good place to work.”
Top left: Nurses Kerry Roberts and Rosalie Fitzgerald Celebrate 25 years of service in 2023 with CEO Jacque Phillips (Left) and Board Chair Tricia Quibell.
Top right: Norma Bell celebrates her retirement.
Left: Jeanie Florance, Colleen Sim, Fiona Currie and Genevieve Neilson.
Jeanie Florance, Registered Nurse
Jeanie completed her nursing training at Albury Base Hospital, married a local and raised her family in Barooga. Jeanie started working at Cobram Hospital in 1978, her career has spanned 4 decades and she has worked across a number of services
“The hospital offered a mix of everything in the early days. We had theatre, midwifery, accident and emergency, and a large children’s ward. We cared for a lot of children with asthma, croup, gastro. Families didn’t have access to the medicine we do now, so children would come in and we’d be able to give them puffers or oxygen or get them hydrated. Sometimes there might be some family problems happening and the children would come to us. It felt like there were children swinging from the rafters at times!”
“We had no patient ratios in the early days, so if we had extra patients who needed a bed, we’d just wheel another bed into the ward. The Nurses worked in the general ward and if there was an accident or emergency we’d go and help as needed The Doctors were on call 24/7, I remember Doctor Macdougall coming into the hospital wearing his dressing gown”
Jeanie said there was planned theatre once a week and a dedicated midwife for pre and post-natal care and deliveries
“When there was a delivery one of the general nurses would go down and assist the midwife and the doctor. We used to put the babies on show during visiting hours. They would be propped up in the nursery so visitors could see them behind the window. The nurses would often look after the babies at night to give the new mothers a rest”
Jeanie worked as theatre nurse for 10 years and was the first Diabetes Educator in the Community Rehabilitation Centre/Community Health She also spent time as a District Nurse where the nurses enjoyed the luxury of their first airconditioned car. “The District Nurses would do a lot of dressings, wound care, take blood pressure, change colostomy bags and shower the clients There were no home help programs then.”
Jeanie said much has changed over the years, including legalities and insurance which has changed the way health services in rural areas operate but there has also been a lot of progress
“I’ve had many great years here, with great staff and support. The new Urgent Care Centre space is beautiful, well designed with new equipment It is excellent for the nurses and community. The hospital has been good to me.”
Lisa Cassidy, Registered Nurse and Midwife
Lisa is a Registered Nurse and Midwife, she trained in Melbourne and Toowoomba before returning home and working as a midwife in the Cobram Hospital. She estimates her last delivery was around 23 years ago.
“Delivering your friends babies and being able to see them grow up in the community was lovely The great thing about working in a country hospital is that you can call on each other. You’d drop what you were doing and come in and help out I can remember being called to assist with an ambulance transfer I was walking up the front path and didn’t even have a chance to put my bag down before someone put a gown on me and I was in the ambulance on the way to Shepparton.”
“I can recall being alone in midwifery one night in the early days and a woman came in, with no medical history, to give birth I rang Joan Hansen and asked if she could come in and help, she came in immediately but the baby was too quick and had arrived “
Lisa worked in midwifery until around 2002/2003 and then moved over to the Cobram Medical Clinic where she still supports the doctors and community as a District Nurse.
Lisa has a strong family connection in the region. Her grandmother Nora, was Dr Gerald Kennedy’s sister. Nora married William Cassidy.
William Cassidy gained his Law Degree from Melbourne University and was friendly with JT Kennedy’s sons. It was through the friendship that he met Nora. After they were married, Nora’s father JT Kennedy gifted the couple the land next to ‘Lisfarron’ where they built their home. It is also where Lisa’s father, John Cassidy was born
William Cassidy set up a law firm in Station St Cobram. It would eventually be run by John Cassidy and later his sons, Lisa’s brothers.
Lisa’s years
From left: Heather Clifford, Lisa Cassidy, Margaret Templeton, Leanne Greenway, Lisa Cassidy and Kylea Price.
A timeline of Doctors in the community from 1980 - 2002
A timeline of Doctors in the community from 1980 - 2002
Nurse Lisa Cassidy and Dr Dumitrescu
Dr Chabbou
Board Presidents 1949 - 2019
JW (Jim) Gemmell 1949 - 1952
HC (Craig) Dick 1952 - 1954
D (Des) O’Dwyer 1954 - 1958
Leo Pinnuck 1958 - 1960
HS (Harold) West 1960 - 1973
J (Jim) Howes 1973 - 1981
Board Presidents 1949 - 2019
WS (Bill) Farrel
1981 - 1984
GT (Geoff) Backhouse
1984 - 1987
LG (Leon) West
1987 - 2000
PA (Philip) Pullar 2000 - 2011
Jennie Gould 2011 - 2015
Dale Brooks 2015 - 2019
Jeannie Florance, Heather Clifford, Fiona Currie, Jane Bail, Mary Reid, Deb Shelley, Suzanne Haig
Karen McNeill and Melissa Neal, 2008
Kate Shelley, Leanne Harris and Heather Clifford, 2008
Deb Shelley, Jeanie Florance, unknown, Jeannette Mellier and Kerryn Baker, 2006
Back: Caitlyn Lewis, Karen McNeill, Elaine Henderson, Susan Huffer, Cass Martin, Wendy Caddy. Front, Jason Kerr, Danielle Clifford, Tammy Warren, Marissa Daly, Christine Cotterill, Thomas Lewis, 2024.
