Snaps of bygone era

THE yellowing photos in the old hospital album hold a special place in the hearts of the women who once worked there.

Pouring over the pictures, the women laughed as they remembered how things in the original Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital were done more than 25 years ago.

Last Thursday past and present staff celebrated the hospital's 25th anniversary in its new site across the road by reminiscing about the past and anticipating the future.

The original hospital, built as a memorial to those who took part in the First World War, was officially opened as a private hospital on October 21, 1920 and gazetted as a general public hospital on May 21, 1921.

Bernice Mclennan has worked at the hospital since 1975, and despite retiring two years ago, still works casual hours.

Mrs Mclennan worked in the maternity ward in the old hospital building and has delivered more babies in her lifetime than she dares to remember.

"It was a long distance from the labour ward to the other end of the hospital," she said of the original building.

"In fact it was 74 steps, I counted it one night.

"We used to have the same registered nurse looking after labour as well as the general patients, and we seemed to always have someone in labour."

Things were done a lot differently 25 years ago, something Acting Nurse Unit manager Glennis McAlpine knows only too well.

After moving to Maleny from Melbourne, Mrs McApline took up a job at the hospital in 1982 and was amazed at how different things were in the country facility compared to the big city.

"The bell would ring and all the staff would meet in the dining room for afternoon tea," she said.

"There was no staff left in the wards to look after patients.

"Having come from a large hospital in Melbourne I thought, 'wow, I like this'."

Today, the Maleny Soldiers War Memorial Hospital provides medical and nursing care for 16 acute and eight sub-acute patients.

While the maternity ward is no longer open, the hospital has a new rehabilitation unit and gymnasium for a growing number of patients.

Maleny Hospital Director of Nursing Nicole White said they were fortunate to have active community groups who worked with their auxiliary for the benefit of the patients and staff.

"Over the years, many items of equipment have been purchased thanks to the kind donations and tireless fundraising activities of the community, Maleny Hospital Auxiliary and local community clubs."

The hospital is a piece of Maleny's living history and an integral part of the community, and will be for many more years to come.