RUNNYMEDE HOSPITAL - GRAFTON
One of the best known private hospitals in
Grafton was that of Runnymede. Owned by Dr. T. J. Henry, it
was the birth place of many Grafton people who were born in
the first half of this century. The following report in the
Grafton “Argus” of
the 19th January, 1910, contains some interesting facts about
the hospital.
O F F I C I A L O
P E N I N G
For some months past Mr. John Strauss, of the firm of Messrs.
Strauss Bros., Builders and contractors, has been busily engaged
in altering the large tho-storied house owned by Dr. T. J.
Henry, at the corner of Fitzroy and Queen Streets, Grafton,
and in erecting and constructing additions to it with the view
of turning the building into an imposing private hospital.
The house was originally built some eight or nine years ago
from plans prepared by Mr. F. W. C. Schaeffer, and Dr. Henry
resided there till shortly before the new year, when, he and
his family moved into his new villa, recently constructed nearby
in Queen .Street. This new villa was originally intended to
be the new private hospital but after its erection had been
completed it was found hardly large enough for this purpose,
and, on Mrs. Henry’s recommendation, the doctor decided
to use it for his home and remodel his old residence for hospital
purposes. For this remodelling the plans were prepared by Mr.
John Strauss, and the work was completed last week, at a cost
of £500.
On Monday afternoon the ceremony of formerly declaring the
hospital open for patients was performed by Ald. S. See, in
an excellent and lengthy speech, delivered in the presence
of about 150 ladies and gentlemen, who had met there for afternoon
tea, at the invitation of the Misses Coghlan. Dr. Henry also
addressed the assemblage, explaining the necessity existing
for so large an institution, and eulogising the abilities and
character of Matron Coghlan.
Miss Henry read a list of apologies received for non-attendance
and then with a pair of scissors, cut the bright-coloured ribbons
fastened across the front door entrance, thus completing the
opening ceremony . Afternoon tea and other refreshments were
then served, and aftetwards the guests had leisure to inspect
the institution.
The staff consist of the Matron, Miss M. A. Coghlan A.T.N.A.;
her sister, Miss E. Coghlan (probationary
assistant); Miss
A. Hurley (head nurse); Misses R. Attwater, A. Burke, and R.
Ainsworth (probationary assistants); Miss B. Tully (assistant
nurse), and two night nurses engaged from outside as required.
The whole enterprise is up-to-date, beneficial, and ornamental
to the city.
Runnymede Hospital building is still there to-day. Gone are
the lattice-work and wrought iron railings. For many of the
last years this fine old building has been used as a block
of flats. For this purpose the building was clad in fibro from
top to bottom but several weeks ago the fibro was covered up
by metal cladding which has improved the appearance slightly
but it is still unrecognisable for those who have some association
with it, and who come to Grafton, but cannot identify it form
what they used to remember it.
