COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Queen Carnival was a fundraising event for the hospital and involved the whole town.By DION TEASDALE
THOUSANDS of Yarra Ranges residents who graced the wards of the Lilydale Hospital during its 70year history can take a moment to reflect on the past at a new Museum of Lillydale exhibition.
From now until September, the Museum is showing the ‘Born in Lilydale’ exhibition, which captures the history and pride of the long association between the township and Lilydale’s Dame Nellie Melba Bush Nursing Hospital.
The Lilydale hospital opened in May 1933 after the community funded the building through fundraising. In the 1970s and 80s, more than 1200 babies were born annually at the hospital.
Yarra Ranges mayor David Hodgett said the exhibition reflected the hospital’s impact on the area and the community spirit that created it and keeps it alive.
“The hospital building is still being used to better the health of residents as an aged care facility,” he said.
The museum will host an afternoon tea on Friday, 19 August at 3pm for visitors to reminisce about the Lilydale hospital and township.
The Museum of Lillydale has many other exhibitions currently on show including ‘School Number 4417’ with memorabilia from Mooroolbark Primary School and ‘The Automated Kitchen’ which explores quirky 19th and 20th Century mechanical kitchen devices.
The Museum of Lillydale is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am until 4pm. For more information about the ‘Born in Lilydale’ exhibition or to find out about other exhibitions, contact the Museum on 9294 6313.
