Eighty years is a long time. Today, we commemorate the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. It has a rich history of caring.
The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital started as the 115th Heidelberg Military Hospital on March 13 1941. Initially, the Army ran it. From 1942 to 1947, the 6th RAAF Hospital was also on site.
On May 19 1947, the Army handed the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital over to the Repatriation Commission. It then became known as Repatriation General Hospital Heidelberg. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs operated it until December 31 1994. In the decade before it joined the state system, its name changed to Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.
The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital joined the Victorian health system on January 1 1995. On April 1 1995, it merged with Austin Hospital. They became the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre. On April 30 2003, the name changed again. The Victorian Government approved the name Austin Health. Austin Health includes the Austin Hospital, the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre.
Many areas within the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital reflect its heritage. These include Centaur Wing and Tobruk Centre. You will also find Flanders Wing and Darley House. The Red Cross Centre and Vivian Bullwinkel Room are here. Other areas are the 115 H.M.H. Meeting Room, Remembrance Garden, Gallipoli Gardens, Memorial Rose Garden and Duckboard Walk.
The Outpatient Department has many plaques and gallery spaces. Here, you can see memorabilia. Look for the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital tapestry. The flag of the 2/4th AGH is also displayed. The Veteran Liaison Office and Veterans Psychiatry Program area also hold memorabilia and gallery space. The Remembrance Garden features memorial plaques and duckboard stained glass.
The Shrine of Remembrance created an exhibition in 2011. This commemorated the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital’s 70th anniversary. It featured memorabilia and images from the hospital archive. Historical images from the Australian War Memorial were also included.
The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital emerged as a critical care center. It nurtured and rehabilitated people. It served as an innovation center for war injuries and mental illness. The hospital became a teaching hospital for medical professions. The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital also evolved into an important commemorative site.
The Specialist Clinics team sees over 150000 patients each year. They work in the Centaur Building and the Tobruk Building. The Surgery Centre performs over 14000 procedures annually.
Community programs are based here. The programs include Hospital in the Home and the Health Independence Program. Mental Health and Aged Care services are crucial. These help meet the community’s needs. The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital also provides care to returned soldiers and emergency services personnel. They are cared for in Ward 17 and other areas. This ensures a strong link to the Repat’s origins.
The Heidelberg Repatriation Veterans Centre assists current and past Defence Force members and their families. It also serves Police Veterans. They provide help with compensation claims and war widows’ pensions. Pension Officers and an Advocate are available.
Heritage work is ongoing. Additional plaques are planned. Enhancements to gardens and displays are also in progress. Memorabilia and historical records are being documented. The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital stands as a testament to care, history and remembrance.