Lead up to the Eudunda Hospital Centenary
(Next instalment of the history of Eudunda Hospital prior to the Centenary celebrations to be held on the 9th Oct 2022.)
Eudunda Hospital was redeveloped to include aged care in the 1990’s, but remained an acute hospital providing emergency services and medical admissions. In 2000, major renovations saw the ‘new look’ hospital with administration and front entrance situated where it is located today. In 2008, Eudunda Hospital and Kapunda Hospital amalgamated to become Eudunda/Kapunda Health Service.
In 2012, Eudunda Senior Citizen’s Hostel (a stand- alone health facility) joined forces with Eudunda Hospital as a 35 bed Aged Care Commonwealth -funded facility. From 2008, the Government introduced major changes with the abolition of Hospital Boards to be replaced by Health Advisory Councils. The inaugural chairman of the new Eudunda/Kapunda Health Advisory Council was John Neal, with subsequent Presiding members ( chairpersons) being Monica Davies and now Carolyn Absolom, at this present time.
In 1992, Dr. Max van Dissel began in Eudunda Medical Practice and Eudunda Hospital. His outstanding service to Eudunda Hospital has spanned 30 years up to the present day, equalling Dr. Doug Bowering’s 30 -year service to Eudunda Hospital from 1955 to 1985.
Over the years, Hospital gardeners’ hours have been gradually reduced which necessitated a Garden Committee and volunteer gardeners offering a helping hand to keep the Eudunda Campus in pristine condition for staff, residents, visitors and the community to enjoy and be proud of. The ambience of the garden is of therapeutic benefit to all.
Eudunda Hospital celebrated it’s 90th birthday with a garden party on the front lawn of the hospital on 28th October 2012.
Eudunda Hospital Centenary celebration day is planned for Sunday 9th October 2022 in front of the Hospital at 11am to 4pm. The community are warmly encouraged and welcomed to attend this important event in the history of Eudunda Hospital, together with dignataries, senior health staff, Goyder Councillors, Members of Parliament, and past and present staff of the Hospital. The Eudunda Hospital has been an essential service to our community for 100 years and a banner will be displayed in front of the Hospital for the occasion.
The program includes lunch for sale by community businesses and sporting clubs, followed by an official opening and introduction of dignataries at 1pm. Jenny Schutz will read out to the gathering a brief history of the Eudunda Hospital and there will be a revelation of the contents of the time capsule. The unveiling of a Centenary plaque will be part of the official proceedings. A display of historic photos, memorabilia, an old wrought iron hospital bed, and old uniforms will be in Eudunda Day Care Centre during the day. An animal farm, pony rides, face painting, and musical entertainment will be on offer during the day.
This celebration is an opportunity to promote the Hospital services available to the community, not only being an Aged Care facility, but utilizing the Day Care Centre with physiotherapy, and recently including health programs, gentle exercises, podiatry, dietician and Day Care activities. The community will be informed and made aware of the services available at your fingertips.
A souvenir leaflet will be printed and available on the day as a keepsake of the special occasion. There will be a cutting of the 100th birthday cake by a past staff member and Eudunda Hospital Auxiliary member.
Eudunda Hospital Centenary Committee acknowledge and thank Jenny Schutz for permission to use excerpts from her mother’s book “The Light on the Hill – by Wynnis J. Ruediger” for the history of Eudunda Hospital articles.
