A photograph of nurses outside the Neerim District Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Neerim South captured in 1956.
The hospital was operated by the Victorian Bush Nursing Association.
In February 1911, the first bush nursing centre was opened at Beech Forest after the formation of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association. It was a proposal of Lady Dudley, the wife of the Governor-General of Australia.
The bush nursing system worked on the basis of personal subscription to a local centre, which then entitled the subscriber to free treatment and reduced rates for accommodation at a hospital.
By 1921, there were 28 bush nursing centres in Victoria. Although the supervision of a doctor was necessary at each centre, the bush nurse, out of practicality, was often the only medical resource in times of emergency.
Such a centre was established at Neerim township in June 1914. Sister Green, the superintending nurse, visited Neerim and Byaduk as an initial measure until Nurse McIver could be installed at the centre in July 1914.
By 1918, the Neerim centre was well organised with a hierarchy of committee members and officers.
Neerim South became the focus of future nursing development when a meeting in September 1926 decided that a hospital should be built at Neerim South.
The first step was to join the Bush Nursing Association and establish a centre at Neerim South. This was done in January 1928.
Six months earlier, the committee had accepted the tender of builder C.T. Foster to erect a hospital for £813. The hospital they build was a simple weatherboard structure with a hipped, galvanised iron roof, and a verandah along one side.
The building accommodated five beds initially and was designed by the association's honorary architect K.F. Elliott.
The building opened in February 1928 by Lord Somers, Governor of Victoria.
By the 1950s, the hospital had developed to a stage where it provided beds for 10 people - three two-bed wards and one four-bed ward. It had also achieved its long promised operating theatre suite.
The nurse's quarters were built alongside.
Photograph and information courtesy of the newly formed Neerim District History and Heritage Group, with reference to Graeme Butler's book "Buln Buln".
The group, a sub-committee of the Neerim District Progress Association, will hold its first event on Saturday.
The open day at Algie Hall from 10am to 3pm is a chance to view historical displays and listen to live interviews of local identities. It is also a chance to share old photographs and memorabilia to keep the area's history alive for future generations to enjoy.