The ‘Coober Pedy Medical Centre’ began operations on the 1st February and was officially opened on the 4th February by the then Chief Secretary Sir A Lyell McEwan. The first appointed nursing staff were BCA Sisters Vaisly Cochran and Heather Heaver. After the official launch, a luncheon was provided for 36 guests by the Country Women’s Association (CWA). The Medical Centre had a female and a male ward consisting of 2 beds in each ward, a surgery, office, kitchen, bathroom facilities and accommodation for the 2 Remote Area Nurses (RAN’s). According to Rev C. Rich there was the potential for 2 more beds that could be placed on the verandah if required.
One of the first duties of the newly formed CWA members was to make tray covers for the Medical Centre.
(Article: ‘Medical Outpost’ by Rev. C. W. Rich, BCA Real Australian March 1965, courtesy The Bush Church Aid Society).
1965 Coober Pedy Medical Centre Opening (courtesy of Coober Pedy Hospital & Health Services)
1966 Coober Pedy Medical Centre – Building side view (courtesy of Coober Pedy Historical Society)
Jenny Gough recalls in the early years of the Medical Centre being opened the CWA members would assist the Nurses by helping with the washing and cleaning of the Medical Centre and with repairing any torn bed linen. The Nurses would return the favour by providing Health information at their CWA meetings. One example of a presentation was some information on Basic First Aid.