Cobdenhealth
This plaque is located outside Cobdenhealth, 5 Victoria St.
In the 1920-30s, Cobden had four private hospitals, three of which were maternity hospitals run by a mid-wife. By 1944 all, except Dr A H Barrett’s, were closed and it was obvious another hospital was needed.
The Cobden community lobbied long and hard for a public hospital but, ultimately, was more than satisfied with a bush nursing model. A site of 51⁄2 acres and £10,000 in government bonds were already in the kitty, thanks to the enthusiasm and fundraising efforts of many organisations and individuals over 13 years.
Cobden and District Bush Nursing Hospital was finally founded in 1957 with the foundation stone being laid in November by Premier Sir Henry Bolte who was the local member at that time and instrumental in the last delegation achieving success.
The CBNH social committee and the community continued to support its new hospital fundraising for equipment and improvements. TheScouller wing was built in 1982, the Beryl Pillar Wing was added to Lovely Banks in 1991. Outstanding service over the years led to recognition in the naming of the Barrett Wing and the Morris Wing as well.
In 1994 another change in government policy could have led to the complete closure of the Cobden Bush Nursing Hospital had the Board of Management and the community not fought strenuously for “the hossie”.
The outcome of these endeavours saw Heytesbury Lodge (including the Anzac Wing) built as an extension of the residential care facility and officially opened in 1996 with the acute care beds being closed in 1998 and a two-bed Emergency Stabilisation Unit being established as a 24/7 service.
The resulting facility became Cobden District Health Services with the ability to provide aged care residential beds along with allied health services.
Lovely Banks was renovated and the administration office was built to connect with
Heytesbury Lodge in 2001. That year, the facility was allocated 15 community home care packages by the Commonwealth Government.
This was the start of the new “care at home” focus by the federal government and has seen CDHS grow to be a provider of many home care services throughout the broader community. In 2004 the charity shop in Curdie St was opened.
When Corangamite Council decided to close its assisted living units at Tandarook House, CDHS leased the premises and took over the management between 2007 and 2015.
As a new initiative in community health the Rodney Grove Aquatic Centre was opened in March 2011. Following a further strategic review of its priorities, CDHS determined that this should be expanded into a Community Fitness Centre incorporating the aquatic centre and a new multi-purpose gymnasium and exercise complex which was completed in 2018.
Withtheincreasingdifficultiesinattracting general practitioners to regional and rural
Cobden’s existing GPs as well as the need to ensure the aged care residents continued to be serviced by locally based doctors, CDHS took the initiative to establish itself as the operator of the Cobden Medical Clinic.
Rebranded as Cobdenhealth in June 2017 with a new logo and website, with fully accredited residential aged care and “Care@ Home” services, an accredited GP clinic and the Cobdenhealth Community Fitness Centre, the community is well-served with health and well-being facilities and services.
The progressive and community-centred Board of Directors continues to plan for the development and ongoing delivery of these servicesdespiteongoinggovernmentchanges in an ageing community.
- Reg Rix: President 1945 to 1949 and on the committee until 1959.
- Kay Thornton: Treasurer 1955 to 1966 and Hospitals Publicity Officer.
- Mid Oates MBE: President Ladies Auxiliary 1958 to 1974.
- George Wiltshire: President 1949 to 1963.
- Janet Parlour: Matron 1966 to 1968 – reappointed Matron 1975 until 1989.
- Dave Wedge: Commitee member and President from 1963 to 1973.
- Cliff Biesse: Elected President 1973.
- Jack Morris: Elected Manager Secretary 1976.
Acknowledgement:
“The Story of the Cobden Bush Nursing Hospital 1944 – 1982” by Bert Scouller.
