Wodonga Hospital Fundraising

There were a number of small private hospital operating in Wodonga over time.  One still remembered today, by older residents who were born there, was Sister Hughes hospital at the corner of High and Stanley Street.

Albury Hospital was financially supported in the early 1900’s with an annual public collection conducted in Wodonga.  In 1914 £21/15/- was raised during a 12 hour period from 8am with collectors busy in the streets and the saleyards, and at the railway station.

By 1946 there was a move to establish a hospital in Wodonga as the private hospitals had closed. Various locations were discussed as was the source of funds for the building.

May 1947 saw the formation of a Women’s Auxiliary to work in the interests of the proposed hospital at Wodonga.  They raised £2000 in their first four years.

A valuer’s report in 1947 put the value of the proposed five acre site at £70 per acre based on its worth to accommodate stock or as a market garden.  Messrs. Jas. Lindsay, C. C. Sheather and C. Ryan each undertook to pay for one acre.

The Queen Competition was a major fund raiser for the project.  Young ladies competing held balls, euchre parties, gymkhanas and fetes, to name but a few of the events.

In 1954 the Bonegilla migrant community put their effort behind one of their own, Miss Eugenia Nesz-Treinisz, who was crowned “Queen of Wodonga” having raised £5000 for the local hospital fund.

In January 1954 Victorian Minister for Health, Mr Barry, officially opened the Wodonga Hospital “situated at the southern end of Wodonga”.

Fund raising for the hospital has been ongoing.  Border Morning Mail Nov 1969 reported that Wodonga Apex Club had collected 12 tons of paper during a special drive on one Sunday.  The funds being for a new intensive care ward.

When it wasn’t dollar and cents being raised many of you may recall the Annual Egg Appeal.  An undated newspaper cutting put the target at 800 dozen to be collected during the month of October.  That is a lot of scrambled eggs and omelettes for breakfast but would have helped the hospital’s budget.