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The Pharmacy Department was extended being completed in February 1979, but there was no official opening.-                                                             
                          
                                                 THE BANKA MASSACRE

   Two of the nursing sisters of the Broken Hill Hospital joined the Army Nursing Service during World War 2.  They were sisters I. Drummond and V. Bullwinkel. 

   Together with a number of other Australian Nurses, they were captured by the Japanese at BANKA, shot and bayonetted.  Only Sister Bullwinkel survived - by pretending to be dead.                                                           
.  In the grounds of the hospital is Sister Drummond Park, opened on October 9,1949, to commemorate the gallant service of sister Irene C.H.Drummond.  Sister Vivian Bullwinkel was guest of honor at the ceremony.                          

  The present Nursing Director, Miss H. Wade, took up the position of deputy matron in December 1964.  During Miss Wade administration many significant changes have been made.  One of the major changes in recent times, has been the alterations to the training program for nurses.                                
After much planning and organisation, three year training was introduced in 1968.  Other changes made during Miss Wade's administration include clinic by visiting psychiatrists, pediatric and radio therapy clinics, uniform changes, increased hours in the nurse training curriculum and the introduction of the block system of training. 

   June 25, 1984 - Director of Nursing at the Broken Hill Base Hospital, Miss Helen Wade, retires after nearly 20 years association with the hospital.         

   February 7th 1987:  The last group of nurses completed their courses at the Broken Hill Hospital Training School which has operated to train nurses locally since 1926.  Future training will be through a College of advanced Education.

   October 1st,1988:  Enrolled Nurse training at Broken Hill TAFE withdrawn by minister for health Peter Collins.

   April 3rd,1993:  The Sister Drummond Memorial Park at the Hospital was rededicated.

   June 1st 1993:   Dr Samual Powell Barnett died at Calvary Hospital Adelaide after a short illness, aged 93 years. He was Surgeon Superintendent of the Broken Hill and District Hospital from 1935 to 1955.

   May 7th,1997:   Plans for the new Broken Hill hospital were announced.         

   May 6th, 1998:   Work started on the new Broken Hill Hospital building.      
  October 26 1998:   A department of rural Health, University of Sydney Faculty of medicine was officially opened at the Broken Hill Hospital's Corindah Court. 

   November 23,1998:   The new laundry at the Hospital began operation.  The old building will be demolished to allow the first section of the new hospital building to proceed.                                                         

   October 9th 1999:   Sister Irene Drummond Park was relocated.  Corner of Thomas and Chloride Streets.                                                          

   December 6th,1999:   The move into the new hospital commenced. 

   February 2000:   Demolishing of the five storey Hospital (opened 1941) commenced.

   March 1st 2000:   The new Hospital was opened by the Hon. Craig Knowles MP Minister for Health.  The Hospital which opened in 1941 cost 200,000 pounds; the new hospital cost &32 million. 


                                                 PRIVATE HOSPITALS


1888:  Broken Hill Private Hospital  established by Madam Wallenstein, a herbalist (near the company dam).                                                
February 22, 1894- fire destroyed a private hospital in Lane Street, used as a Lying- In Hospital.                                                              

1890:  Mrs A. Birrell, Wolfram Street.                                          

1892:  Mrs Fenn, Midwife and Nurse, Argent Street north.  Carinya, 64 Wolfram Street.  Kuranda Private Hospital, 289 Oxide Street about 1912 later La-Balfour.    

Nurse Berriman previously had a hospital at 141 Sulphide  Street also called Kuranda.                                                                       

Lourdes Private Hospital, 525 Blende Street, administered by Nurse Mallon.    

1907:  Nurse Robertson, Chloride Street.  La Balfour 190 Wills Street, Sister R. Kernot.  Closed in the early 20s (used to be called See Park House demolished.  A service Station occupies the site today).                                        

Nurse Victoria, Garnet Street.  Tickalara, operating about 1925, 621 Williams Street (now a block of flats).                                                   

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