Hospital Ward

Built-in 1917

The former hospital was erected in 1916, was one of several innovations introduced by HB Ellerton. Two similar buildings were erected at the Toowoomba and Ipswich asylums.

HB Ellerton. Two similar buildings were erected at the Ipswich and Toowoomba asylums. Ellerton prepared preliminary plans for a hospital in June 1912, but funding and difficulties in finding a suitable site delayed construction.  The site of male ward 8 was finally chosen for its central location between the female and male sections. Construction finally commenced in 1915, the contractor being W Kerr. The building was opened on 24th August 1916 by the Hon John Huxham, Home Secretary, who also unveiled a World War 1 Honour Board which is now located in the Administration Building.

The hospital block comprised an eleven-bed male medical ward, three three-bed male surgical ward, a five-bed male open-air verandah dormitory, a nurses' room, and two single rooms with corresponding female wards in the opposite wing. Two rooms for sick staff were also provided. The central portion of the building comprised a waiting hall, kitchen, scullery, pantry, octagonal operating room, electrical treatment room, disinfecting room, bathrooms and lavatories. 

In 2025, it is used as administrative offices and is highly intact today, known as Gunni House.

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Chronology:

1916: building construction was completed

1945: bulk store for X-ray, dental equipment and dispensary

1945: X-ray building constructed​