This mural forms part of a community project to enhance and activate an outdoor space within the Hospital grounds, for use by the community, patients, families, staff and volunteers. The historical photographs that inspired this mural include the original Hospital building; a horse-drawn ambulance used by the Hospital; a group of miners who helped build the fence around the Hospital and a Hospital garden party in 1911. Photographs were supplied by Brian Andrews of Coalfields Heritage Group.
In 1903 members of the Pelaw Main Miner's Lodge saw the need for a hospital in Kurri Kurri and decided to raise money for its construction and ongoing operation. Small villages had grown up around the many coal mines in the Kurri Kurri area and with many accidents occurring at the pits, there were difficulties with moving patients to the Maitland Hospital, especially at night. After years of fundraising, including financial subscriptions from Miner's Lodges and a government grant matching funds raised by the community, construction of the Kurri Kurri Hospital commenced in 1909 and it was opened in November 1910.
Last Updated:
Themes: