Author: Tara Oldfield
Senior Communications Advisor
Records recently added to our collection include more than one hundred records from Moorabbin Hospital transferred to us from Monash Health (previously Southern Health Care Network and Southern Health); and Borough of Wonthaggi general correspondence records from the Bass Coast Shire Council. These records are all in physical format, available for researchers to order and view at the North Melbourne Reading Room.
Moorabbin Hospital records 1948-2011
The Moorabbin Hospital’s history began in 1949 when local residents formed the then Moorabbin Hospital Society with the aim of building a community hospital. Land on Centre Road, East Bentleigh, was purchased in 1950 with construction finally commencing in 1973.
“For sickness is a very personal thing. When we fall ill, our whole outlook on life changes; our needs change; our situation changes. The idea behind the siting and construction of Hospitals such as that at Moorabbin, is that people should, as much as is possible, be treated close to their own home,” W.F.L Reese, M.P, Chairman, Board of Management Report, 1976 Annual Report.
The building was designed by R.S. Demaine, Russell, Trundle, Armstrong & Orton Pty. Ltd.
The official opening of the hospital took place on 26 October 1975 and the first inpatient, Mrs Crees, was admitted 1 December, with the first baby, baby Jacob Evans, arriving soon after on 15 January 1976. Moorabbin Hospital staff were organised across four divisions: medical, surgical, family medical service and resident medical officer.
On 1 January 1987, Moorabbin Hospital was amalgamated with Prince Henry’s and the Queen Victoria Medical Centre forming Monash Medical Centre. The former Moorabbin Hospital site has since been a campus of the Monash Medical Centre.
Moorabbin Hospital now consists of 147 beds and is one of Victoria’s leading medical and research facilities. It is home to the Monash Cancer Centre in partnership with Peter MacCallum, and also provides services in:
• Orthopaedics
• Haemodialysis
• Ear Nose and Throat – non malignant
• Gynaecology – non malignant
• Urology – non malignant
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Pastoral care
• Elective surgery
• Short-stay care
The Hospital’s early history, prior to amalgamation, can be traced through Annual Reports, newsletters and photographs among other fascinating records. The photographs feature construction through to operation with many photos of staff and patients included.
See records available below, and access them through the Moorabbin Hospital agency page.
| Series and consignment | Title | Date range |
| VPRS 19511 C1 | General Correspondence Files | 1948-1994 |
| VPRS 19512 C1 | Photographic Album | 1973-1982 |
| VPRS 19513 C1 | Annual Reports | 1975-1986 |
| VPRS 19514 C1 | Press Cuttings | 1975-1984 |
| VPRS 19515 C1 | Various Records of the Moorabbin Hospital Ladies' Auxiliary | 1975-2011 |
| VPRS 19516 C1 | Staff Newsletters | 1976-1986 |
| VPRS 19517 C1 | Annual General Meeting Minutes | 1980-1983 |
Borough of Wonthaggi general correspondence files 1974-1994
The Borough of Wonthaggi was created in January 1911 under the Wonthaggi Borough Act 1910. It was abolished in 1994 with the Bass Coast Shire Council appointed as its successor. Thirty-eight record items from Wonthaggi's general correspondence have recently been added to our collection, spanning 1974 through to 1994. Topics include annual statements, council bylaws, welfare and education, clubs, properties and publications.
| Series and consignment | Title | Date range |
| VPRS 11068 C1 | General Correspondence Files | 1974-1994 |
Access these through the series page here.
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