Closing of old hospital a nostalgic moment

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 600, 22 August 1995, Page 8

Closing of old hospital a nostalgic moment

by

Amiria

Teki

A small group gathered at the old Waimarino Hospital for a closing ceremony conducted by the Reverend Tom Hawira, with assistance and support from the Reverend Pat Olds, Sunday ast week. Although numbers were few, the service was held in an atmosphere which took many down a nostalgic memory lane. Following a brief service those who wanted to told of their association with the hospital, which went something like this: o "My mother and father were born here, they had all of us here and we in turn have grown up, married and had all our children here and, our parents died in this hospital".

o Others reminisced about when they were members of the staff — nurseaiding at the hospital; the sneaking out of the windows of the nurses home; the 10pm curfew; signing in, then sneaking out later, thinking that the night sister would never know. o Working with the 'infamous' of one's era, who shall remain anonymous: "A healthy nurse is a fit nurse and a slim nurse, so every day before lunch 'Nurse A' ran down the steps around the rhododendron tree and around the oak tree, back up the steps and then in for lunch. When 'Nurse A' went to lift the lunch lid, she looked around and wondered why everyone else was so interested in her lunch. She found out when she found it was one large lettuce leaf and one dog bone! o Dorothy McNie tells us that when her mother (Grace Kime) was single, she worked as a medical registrar for the hospital in 1 925 . One of the things mention repeatedly that afternoon was that patients would lose the wonderful view, the peaceful environment and the lovely gardens that were so well established over the years. As has been mentioned before, many expressed concerns about the new clinic being so close to the road and also that the patients will have to put up with the noise from two drinking estab-

fic. The afternoon concluded with the thought from most, that they must move on and they are hopeful that at the very least Good Health Wanganui has the presence of mind to push to retain the five beds. Memories A visit to some of the exstaff and older residents in Raetihi proved interesting and all had their tale to tell: Mrs Evans, probably Raetihi ' s oldest resident had this to say: "The hospital has been our lifeline and I certainly will not have much in the way of fond feelings for this new hospital/clinic. My memories lie with our hospital on the hill. The new hospital will be for the younger generation and the generation to come. The hospital on the hill was built in 1922, or at least it was started in 1922 and ready foropeningin 1923. Before then, I remember that when I was about 22 years of age I got appendicitis and had to be transported to Taihape by train, that was in the days of the old tin engine. "When we arrived in Raetihi, I was 10 years of age, that was in 1908. You can imagine years later, on getting the news that we were going to get a hospital, the excitement that at last we didn't have to go all that way to Taihape for treatment. For instance, when I had appendicitis, I was in hospital for some three weeks or so, a long

Closing of old hospital a nostalgic moment

FROM PAGE 8 "When I married, my first child was born at Dr Felton's nursing home in Ohakune, in 1919. My daughter Joyce was born in Raetihi in 1 926. Valmar was born in 1930, also in Raetihi hospital. When they say that one of the reasons for closing the hospital was because of expensive running costs, well why weren't we (the patients including the day care and occupational activities who are/were served meals) asked to contribute a little to wards cost to help out with expenses. Put it this way,

we would have to get our breakfast and tea at night so what would have been the difference? We have to pay for our meals on wheels and that's OK, so I think if it was going to help in any way, then surely our contribution would have helped, (towards keeping costs down). "The other thing I would like to say, is that if it cost as much as say a half a million dollars to build a new hospital, why couldn't they spend that money on renovating the old one? "Oh well, I suppose, we have this new clinic now

and we just have to put up with it, but for me it's very sad and it won' t be the same for the likes of my generation I will never get used to it, I am too old for this kind of change". "Still its better than not having a hospital at all." Josie Turner arri ved with the meal for Mrs Evans, which she is more than appreciative of. Mrs Evans is 99 and looking forward to her 100th birthday. Vi Eastman started work at the hospital in January 1 949 and finished in February 1974, 25 years later. Miss Eastman first worked

in X-ray and was there for eight and a half years. When things began to expand, Jessie Seamen took over running the X-ray department and Miss Eastman decided to work in the clerical department. There were about five to six beds in the maternity end and about 15 beds in the general end. Miss Eastman has fond memories of the old hospital, like playing cards to raise funds for the maternity wing. Mrs Dalglesh came up from Wanganui to Raetihi and was Matron in the early 50' s. In 1 954 Miss Eastman and Sister Dalglesh went to England on holiday. They visited Ireland, Wales and the continent. Sister Thornton was acting Matron while Sister Dalglesh and Miss Eastman were away. A Miss Byers was also a Matron at Raetihi, she had a temporary position until Sister Dalglesh was appointed. In the later 50' s a Miss Barrie took up the Matrons position. Miss Eastman remembers many incidents most of which had their funny side. Shedefinitely remembers the girls sneaking out the windows, thinking they would never get caught. She also remembers the many dances and other fund-rais-ers that went on to build a day-room and the hard work that went into that effort

and how delighted everyone was when that unit was finally opened. "Yes, it is very sad and many memories will remain with me, the end of an era; however we have to move on and we have this new facility, although a little smaller, still at least we have something, better than nothing", said Miss Eastman.

Footnote Keep a look out for those memory lane yams from others from up the hill, for example: Betty Longcroft, Jessie Seamen, EdnaPenny, Robert Hawira, Buddy Hawira, Nancy Winter, Maggie Rawiri, Mary Edmonds and eVen some of the blokes who married their nurses home sweethearts.