1900 - 1950
In the year 1910, Dr Patterson, President of the Friendly Societies Association, convened a meeting for the purpose of establishing a hospital at Tallangatta (now Old Tallangatta).
Work on the first building commenced in 1913 and Tallangatta Cottage Hospital was opened in late 1914.
In 1916, the second stage was completed and this served the community until 1937, at which time a second wing was added, bringing the bed capacity to 26.
In 1948, work commenced on a modern nurse’s home (staff accommodation) to alleviate the cramped conditions under which resident staff members were accommodated. This staff nurses’ home was opened in 1949.
Township of the original Tallangatta
In 1950, a State Parliamentary Works Committee recommended that the entire township of Tallangatta be moved 8 kilometres west to allow Lake Hume to be expanded. Work on moving the town was started in 1954.
One of the extensions to the original hospital in Old Tallangatta.
1951 - 1975
Tallangatta Hospital after moving from the old township of Tallangatta in 1956
After discussions and negotiations, tenders for a new hospital was approved for the current site in new Tallangatta (also known as Bolga). In the interim, additional transport was arranged for patients and staff as Old Tallangatta became a ghost town. The old town, which still housed the hospital on higher ground had many issues with power outages, no supplies, retaining staff, and patient transport on the 8km gravel road.
New township of Tallangatta - 1956
On 30th June 1957, Matron Clark and Dr HFC Hallowes laid the foundation stone of the new hospital in its current location.
Tallangatta Hospital was the last of the public utilities to be opened in the new town, on the 26th March 1958, by the chairman of the Hospital and Charities Commission (HCC), Dr J Lindell. Dr Lindell conveyed a wish that all who enter may be restored to health and happiness. Community members were encouraged to tour the new facilities and enjoy afternoon tea.
The new hospital cost £190,000 and boasted an all-electric kitchen, a warm-air heating system, a nurse call system for each bed, an operating theatre and special care nursery. Buchanan House consisted of 20 bedrooms for sisters, nurses, domestic staff, and the matrons’ flat (now the Medical Centre).
The hospital at the new Tallangatta was first occupied on Monday 26th May 1958.
The old hospital at Old Tallangatta was considered for a penitentiary but the community protested that decision and the buildings were eventually renamed and known as the Christian Education Centre of the Presbyterian Church in 1961. It is now privately owned.
Dr Hallowes lived in Tallangatta from 1928 until his death after a short illness in 1962.
Portrait of Matron Clark (left) and Dr Hallowes (right)
Matron Clark commenced employment with Tallangatta hospital in 1935, becoming matron in 1942. Matron Clark resigned May 31st 1966. Matron Clark was appointed a Life Governor of the hospital.
Dr Frank Swaby commenced practice at Tallangatta on 24th November 1969 before leaving in 2004, returning in 2006 and retiring in 2010, a total of 39 years’ service. During his time at Tallangatta, Dr Swaby managed a private practice, delivered many babies, performed surgical procedures, x-rays, attended hospital patients and managed the medical centre at Dartmouth Dam until another practitioner could be appointed. He was very much liked by the community of Tallangatta.
Portrait of Dr Frank Swaby
The 1970’s, Meals on Wheels was well established in Tallangatta. A need for aged care and District Nursing services were being discussed.
1972 saw the construction of Dartmouth Dam commence, with the possibility of 1000 – 1200 employees working on the site. It was decided that Tallangatta Hospital and Medical Service would provide care for that community. The Medical Centre commenced operation in November 1972 at Mitta Mitta. By 1975 it had a permanent resident doctor, and 2.15 full time staff members treating 1228 patients annually, there was an x-ray department and pharmacy.
1976 - 1985
July 1976 Mr WL Hoysted was presented with a photograph portrait to be hung in the hospital for his 43 years of service. Mr WL Hoysted resigned as president in 1978 due to ill health. He was a member of the Tallangatta Hospital Committee for 45 years and the Chairman for 34 years.
Accreditation of the hospital was first mentioned and carried at the committee meeting of May 1977.
District Nursing services commenced in April 1978 to help the community.
1979 saw the change in title from Matron to Director of Nursing. Discussions on housing the North Eastern Victorian Ambulance Service at Tallangatta Hospital were first held.
In May 1982, a temporary day care centre for those in need of care commenced service in the old nurses’ home quarters (now MCHC/Activity Centre). By December 1982 concern was raised that the number of nursing home patients was slowly increasing and it was hard to balance the number of elderly patients the hospital could take with other patient demands.
Turning the first sod at the new Day Care Centre - 1982
Contracts were signed on 27th January 1983 to build the day care centre (now Lakeview Nursing Home) and ambulance station. The buildings were officially opened on 13th November 1983.
During 1985 Victoria was divided into a number of regions and Tallangatta Hospital was incorporated into the Goulburn/Northeast Region.
As a consequence of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ projected population figures the Hospital Committee resolved that the make-up of the hospital bed allocation should be as follows: 1 maternity, 12 acute, 17 nursing home types. The committee saw a need to increase nursing home bed types to 28.
As a result of a meeting held late in December 1985 with the shadow Minister of Health, a public meeting was held on February 13th 1986 to establish a Nursing Home Society with a view to establish a nursing home and other extended care facilities. The society was later known as the Tallangatta and District Extended Care Society. This was the start of discussions that resulted in Bolga Court.
1986 - 1999
21st May 1987 the committee reported that the Extended Care Society application for a 30 bed hostel had been advised as successful with an allocation of $663,600 toward capital cost. The committee had underwritten the project to $400,000.
The latter part of 1987 saw the slow phase out of obstetric services at Tallangatta Hospital, however post-natal patients were still treated. There was a move toward providing services in the client’s home. While the hospital still maintained an outpatient accident and emergency department, only basic medical and surgical services were offered. The number of nursing home beds was increased and Bolga Court plans continued to be developed.
Tallangatta Hospital and the Extended Care Centre Committee were separate entities; however, the hospital gifted the land for Bolga Court at a nominal fee and fully supported their endeavours both financially and with support.
Building at Bolga Court commenced in April 1990 and officially opened March 17th 1991 with the first residents moving in on April 15th 1991.
1994 saw the first discussions held in relation to the amalgamation of Tallangatta Hospital and Bolga Court.
Towong Shire transferred the coordination of home care services to the Tallangatta Hospital in 1994 but later moved it to Corryong in October 1995.
Bolga Court and Tallangatta Hospital amalgamated/merged on 1st July 1997.
Hospital redevelopment commenced as a three-stage project in 1997. Stage one saw the extension and upgrading of the nursing home into a more home like environment with both indoor and outdoor leisure areas and new bedrooms.
Stage two involved re-developing the former nurses’ quarters into a day activity centre. This area now houses My Community & Home Care, training room, offices and the Activity Centre.
Stage Three of the redevelopment commenced in 1999 and included updates to the acute ward area into an area that would meet the needs for rehabilitation patients as well as minor medical patients, a new front entrance and administration area, development of a rehabilitation area for physiotherapy and occupational therapy as well as a dental suite were included.
On 3rd April 1998, 250 people attended the opening of Lakeview Nursing Home and the Tallangatta Day Activity Centre. With the redevelopments, it meant that Tallangatta Hospital could meet accreditation standards benchmarked by the Australian Council on Health Care Standards (ACHS). The hospital was visited by ACHS in June 1999 and was awarded accreditation for three years on it’s first attempt, a great result for staff.
By the end of 1999, the residents at Lakeview Nursing Home were able to enjoy the new courtyard that was developed and maintained by the Tallangatta Horticultural Society.
On December 2nd 1999 the name of Tallangatta Hospital was officially changed to Tallangatta Health Service.
2000 - 2005
Main entrance - Stage 3 of redevelopment
In March 2000 the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program relating to the Tallangatta end of the Towong Shire was transferred back to Tallangatta Health Service. This resulted in improved coordination of the care provided to the community.
By mid-2000, the Board of Management had completed the transition to a new system of governance. The Board delegated the responsibility of managing the organisation to the CEO while they focused on the effectiveness of the service and whether or not the needs of the community were being satisfactorily met.
Tallangatta Health Service at this time provided:
- 10 Commonwealth funded high level aged care beds
- 30 Commonwealth funded low level aged care beds
- 20 State funded medical beds providing general medical care, post surgical care, respite, palliative care, nursing home type patient care and rehabilitation.
During 2000, the health service agreed to assume responsibility for the day to day running and management of the medical centre. This created a closer working relationship between the services.
The official opening of stage three of the redevelopment occurred in August 2000. The cost for the three stages was $3,500,000 with Tallangatta Health Service and the Tallangatta community contributing $700,000 toward the project.
The continued support of the Tallangatta community to the hospital has been exceptional from its inception and has included fundraising, donations, labour, lobbying and volunteering.
Bolga Court received accreditation from ACHS and sought accreditation from ACSA to ensure a continuation of Government funding. Bolga Court was successful in receiving three years accreditation.
In December 2001 the Medical Centre was awarded accreditation. 2001 also saw the health service given approval for additional beds, making it a 66-bed facility. Bolga Court, Module 6 was completed and opened by Dr Frank Swaby on 21st June 2002. This sixth module increased Bolga Court to a 36-bed facility.
The health service directly employed a doctor in 2002 for the first time, to work in the Medical Centre. Prior to this all doctors who provided service to the community were in private practice.
2005 saw Tallangatta Health Service purchase a house within the Tallangatta township which would be used for accommodation. This was made possible by a bequest to the service.
2006 - 2020
The Victorian Men’s Shed Association and Tallangatta Health worked together and the Tallangatta Men’s Shed was opened onsite in 2006. It is utilised by community members as well as residents of Bolga Court.
On the 1st November 2007, 5 high care beds were transferred from Beechworth Health to Lakeview Nursing Home, making it a 15-bed high care facility.
In June 2011, the main facility area upgraded its generator to ensure an improved back-up when power outages occur.
Bolga Court renovations were commenced in 2011 to cater to the changing needs of residents, with residents requiring a higher level of care.
December 2019 saw Corryong and surrounding areas greatly impacted by fires. Tallangatta Health was involved in the temporary moving of residents and patients from Corryong, supplying equipment and general support.
January 2020, while still recovering from the fires, COVID-19 became a household word and changed the face of healthcare for some years.
2021 - Present
January 2021, Tallangatta Health Service ran promotional ads on television during the Australian Open for the first time.
A major solar project was undertaken in 2021 greatly improving the environmental footprint of Tallangatta Health Service.
Lakeview Nursing Home was refurbished with part of the development creating larger single rooms to four of the rooms. The project was completed in 2022.
As part of funding in relation to COVID-19, Tallangatta Health Service received funds to purchase a stand-alone building to be used in the case of an outbreak for staff, with toilets, showers, lounge and kitchen area. The transportable building was named Hillview.
Tallangatta Health Service was created to provide services to the community as a small Cottage Hospital in 1914. Tallangatta Health Service has adapted and continues to adapt to meet the changing needs of the community and continues to evolve as a dynamic force in the field of health care. The staff that comprise Tallangatta Health Service have worked for many years, and continue to work, across residential aged care, home care, allied health, environmental services and our acute services to deliver a dedicated high standard of care and commitment to all clients and residents.
Tallangatta Health Service provides health related services to the township of Tallangatta, with a population of approximately 1200 residents, and surrounding rural communities including Koetong, Eskdale, Dartmouth, Mitta Mitta, Bethanga, Talgarno, Bellbridge, Tallangatta Valley and more.