With the opening of the new hospital in 2014, the original 1882 theatre, where the museum had been situated, was closed to public access.
EHS members Tracey Bennett and Carol Hone, along with executive administrator Michelle Scali and medical record clinical coder Judy Clark, have been working together to relocate all the irreplaceable historical surgical instruments, memorabilia and records and place them on permanent display in the EHS museum.
Irreplaceable: The Echuca District Hospital archival history museum has been relocated to the Echuca Historical Society’s museum in Dickson St.
ERH chief executive officer Robyn Lindsay has been supportive of the move to ensure the safe preservation of the items and historical records, which tell the story of not only the beginnings of the hospital but also the Echuca community and the people of those times.
Under the knife: The Echuca District Hospital archival history museum has been relocated to the Echuca Historical Society’s museum in Dickson St.
They include inpatient registers, outpatient records and minute books dating from the early 1800s, all of which are now stored in the official government place of deposit at the Echuca Historical Society.
Open book: The Echuca District Hospital archival history museum has been relocated to the Echuca Historical Society’s museum in Dickson St.
All the records are being catalogued, indexed and assessed for any conservation they may require.
Retired nurse, and now EHS volunteer, Robyn Kelly has already indexed more than 2000 names, which will be entered into the EHS database.
These are a valuable record of local residents, different ailments suffered and treatments throughout the years.
The permanent hospital display is open for everyone to view at the EHS museum located at 1 Dickson St, Echuca, daily from 10am to 2pm.