The following article appeared in “The Number 5 : A Magazine Published Monthly by the Patients and Staff, No. 5 Australian General Hospital, St. Kilda Road. October, 1918”, two months after most of the staff and patients at No. 5 AGH in St. Kilda Road were transferred to Mont Park (There was only one more volume of the magazine published, and like many references at the time, the article confused the two medical facilities by referring to 16 AGH as “Macleod” rather than “Mont Park”).
“No. 16 Australian General Hospital, such is the official title of the new military hospital at MacLeod, a short distance from Heidelberg. Beautifully situated, this superb suite of buildings was built for the purpose for which it is being used, unlike in this, the 5th A.G.H. Typical Australian bush scenery, large gums, and a magnificent view from its high elevation, are the chief characteristics of its environment. At first sight, one is amazed at the size of the hospital. Twelve blocks, each capable of accommodating 100 soldier patients, will give one some idea of the dimensions of the place. At the present time, only six blocks are in use as wards.
“Quarters for the nursing staff, ward-attendants’ quarters, orthopaedic block, where electrical treatment, etc., is given, quartermaster’s store, and medical officers’ quarters and staff accommodation take up most of the available space. The head-quarters’ block, situated in the centre of the building, comprise the 0.C., registrar’s, and adjutant’s offices, the general office, matron’s and post office, as well as the operating theatre and officers’ mess. The train service to MacLeod is fairly good, with special trains on leave days – always filled to overflowing, of course. Curative classes are held in various sub jects, the idea being to take the patients’ mind off his illness, and with the view of preventing a very real malady, which is commonly called “hospitalitis”
“Classes are being held at present on gardening, typewriting, engineering, basket work, chip carving, needlework, and raffia work, under the direction of Mrs. Courtney, assisted by Mesdames Needham and Stewart, and Miss Chambers. Classes shortly to be started include boot making, carpentry, fitting, etc. The gardening class, under the voluntary tuition of Mr. Linaker, landscape gardener at the Lunacy Department, commences “graft” at 8.30 a.m., and the members of this class very soon begin to show their appreciation and enthusiasm. Everything to do with gardening can be learned from the actual planting of the seeds, potting, bud ding, grafting, etc. Plants for the hospital garden and pot plants for the wards will be obtained through the excellent work of our soldier patients.
“Typewriting, a most necessary and advantageous subject to the qualified, is taught by lady volunteers, i.e., the Misses Solomon and Wilson, as also are rugmaking, raffia, and basket work, etc. The poultry farm is almost complete, and will be ready to receive “patients ” at about the beginning of next month. This farm, without a doubt, when finished, will be one of the best laid out in the Commonwealth.
“The garden, of immense size, is now beginning to show some return for the energy expended. A large recreation reserve is in course of preparation down in a hollow below the hospital, which suggests to us a modern amphitheatre. Here will be a cricket ground, tennis court, bowling green, and croquet lawn – surely a sight to make any sick man feel well. Pending the completion of the cricket ground, a temporary matting wicket is available, and every day patients and members of the staff may be seen practising for any matches which may be arranged.
“The Red Cross Room, with one large and two small billiard tables, is largely patronised. In this room are held concerts and occasional euchre parties. Afternoon tea is prepared at a kitchen attached, and on Wednesday after noon patients are able to take their visitors to tea, the minimum charge per patient being one penny and per visitor (civilian) sixpence. A fine library is also attached to the Red Cross room. Ladies of the surrounding districts arrange social evenings, and transport is arranged by the Y.M.C.A. Theatre parties are held on Wednesdays, and motor drives in the afternoon. The Y.M.C.A. are erecting a handsome building, with lounge and all comforts, in conjunction with same. A canteen, in which almost anything may be purchased at most reasonable prices, is to be set in motion at an early date.
“The present officer in charge is Lt.-Col. H. A. Embling, at one time O.C. No. 5 A.G.H. The Registrar is Capt. A. H. Melville, also late of No. 5 staff, and Captains Day and Chambers, who were previously attached for duty at No. 5.
“The members of the staff at present include: Lt.-Col. H. A. Embling, O.C.; Capt. A. H. Melville, Registrar; Major R. H. Gibbs, Senior Medical Officer; Major J. F. Wilkinson, Senior Medical Officer; Major A. S. Johnson, Orthopaedic Specialist; Major Hollow, Mental Specialist; Chaplain-Lt.-Col. S. Wells (resident), Chaplain-Capt. Harvey, Chaplain-Capt. Robinson (visiting), Captain N. C. Barber, Captain W. B. Heyward, Captain H. C. A. Haynes, Captain R. P. MacGillicuddy, Captain J. Downing, Captain A. J. Day, Captain J. L. Champs, Captain L. W. Johnston, Captain W. A. Graham, Lieut. A. J. Phillips (Q.M.), Lieut. H. R. Hambrook (Adjt.).
“Lt-Col A. V. M. Anderson left us after six months as senior medical officer, his place being filled by Major J. F. Wilkinson. The Military Sanatorium, about a mile away, is under the able command of Major Mitchell; both Captains K. R. Moore and G. Good have been transferred temporarily, to No. 5 A.G.H. We regret to have to report the severe illness of Major Mitchell, who is an inmate of No. 11 A.G.H., Caulfield. Several of the nursing staff have been lately transferred from No. 5 A.G.H. to No. 16, and, we understand, were not elated over the change. After a week at No. 16, however, we understand how difficult it would be, even for “wild horses” to drag them away. Very many ex-members of the staff of No. 5 A.G.H. are now doing duty at No. 16, chiefly on account of the big reduction in personnel of the Base.
“Heaps of good luck to you No. 16, and, as the Scotchman says,
“Lang may yer lum reek”