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Queensland - Organisation

Bethesda Mothers' Hospital (1938 - 1968)

  • Salvation Army Mothers' Home Rockhampton

    Salvation Army Mothers' Home Rockhampton, 1938
    Details

From
1938
To
1968
Categories
Adoption Agency, Babies' Home, Female Rescue Home, Home, Hospital, Maternity Home and Salvation Army
Alternative Names
  • Bethesda

The Bethesda Mothers' Hospital, in Rockhampton, was run by the Salvation Army. It functioned as a maternity hospital and a rescue home for girls. Before 1938, it was known as the Glenties Mothers' Hospital. In 1968, it was again renamed Bethesda Hospital and Hostel.

Details

An article in Rockhampton's Morning Bulletin on 2 July 1938 stated that the Bethesda Mothers' Hospital would operate in two distinct areas of work, both to be managed by the Salvation Army.

One section would function as a private maternity hospital where, for a small fee, married women would be cared for by a qualified Salvation Army nurse.

The other section would operate as a girls' home. The article went on to state that:

destitute, wronged, and neglected girls are cared for and little unwanted babes are given a home, until such time as adoption can be arranged.

There will be a new nursery with a large veranda on three sides, with miniature dining room, furniture for the toddlers, new bathrooms, and locker rooms. Individual lockers and wardrobes are provided for, and fly-proof rooms for the preparation of the babies' food.

Location

1938 - 1968
Address - Bethesda Mothers' Hospital was situated at 58 Talford Street, Rockhampton.. Location: Rockhampton

Timeline

 1902 - 1924 Glenties Rescue Home
       1924 - 1938 Glenties Mothers' Hospital
             1938 - 1968 Bethesda Mothers' Hospital
                   1968 - 1970 Bethesda Hospital and Hostel
                         1970 - 1976 Bethesda Hostel
                               1976 - 1977 Bethesda Hostel and Childrens' Home
                                     1977 - 1979 Bethesda Childrens' Home

Publications

Books

  • Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. p.82. Details

Online Resources

Photos

Salvation Army Mothers' Home Rockhampton
Title
Salvation Army Mothers' Home Rockhampton
Type
Image
Date
1938

Details

[Bethesda Mothers' Hospital opening]
Title
[Bethesda Mothers' Hospital opening]
Type
Image
Date
1938

Details

[Official opening by Mrs Dalziel]
Title
[Official opening by Mrs Dalziel]
Type
Image
Date
1938

Details

New Wing, Salvation Army Mother's Hospital
Title
New Wing, Salvation Army Mother's Hospital
Type
Image
Date
1938

Details

Portion of the crowd which attended the opening of the new wards at the Salvation Army's mothers' hospital,
Title
Portion of the crowd which attended the opening of the new wards at the Salvation Army's mothers' hospital, "Bethesda."
Type
Image
Date
2 July 1938

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: 'New Addition to Salvation Army's Mothers' Home', Morning Bulletin, 4 July 1938, p. 9, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55980622; 'Salvation Army: Official Opening of Mothers' Hospital', The Morning Bulletin, 2 July 1938, p. 9, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55980497; Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. p.82.; Social Work Staff, Faculty of Education, University of Queensland, Directory of Social Services Queensland, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, 1958, http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:241555/HV474_Q44D57_1958.pdf.

Prepared by: Lee Butterworth