From the program for the opening of Wodonga Hospital, January 16, 1954.
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On June 28, 1934, a public meeting was held in Wodonga to discuss plans for a hospital in the district. It was felt by those present that a hospital was a necessity. The shire president, (Cr R Richardson) pointed out Wodonga had been dependent on Albury for years and it was time we had our own hospital. A committee was elected to raise funds to build a bush nursing hospital. Several donations were collected but nothing further was done in regard to a bush nursing hospital. In those days we had a small private hospital in the district.
The scheme was revived at a public meeting on February 18, 1946, in the Shire Hall, Wodonga presided over by Cr CF Pollard (who was then shire president). At this meeting, Dr Grant stressed that a community hospital was a definitely better idea than a bush nursing hospital and the meeting decided to form a committee and look for a suitable site.
In March 1947, after a close investigation of several sites, the present site was chosen. It comprises eight acres. The owner (the late Mr Jim Lindsay) donated one acre, Messrs CC Sheather, Robt Hall and C Ryan each donated one acre.
The first project work was carried out on the site on January 2, 1953 by architects Messrs Robert S Demaine and Associates, and now on January 16, 1954, the hospital is an established working unit of 51 beds, comprising 17 in the obstetric block 34 in medical, surgical, and children's sections, together with casualty, outpatients, and X-ray departments, also double-storey brick quarters for staff.
President OG Hartsmann would like to express his appreciation for the whole-hearted co-operation of the many organisations and individuals, and the committees of the three "queen competitions", who have presented funds for the building and equipping of this Wodonga District Hospital.
