“Opened 9 April 2005” That’s what the Royal Hospital for Women Park Opening Plaque commemorates. The park’s very name is a nod to the Royal Hospital for Women. It graced this site from 1901 to 1997.
Let’s delve into the history of this location. The Benevolent Society of NSW played a vital role. They moved here in 1901. Their original site near Railway Square was taken for the new Central Railway Terminal. This Paddington area spanned 6.5 acres. It was initially granted to Roger Therry in 1832. He built ‘Flinton’ here. The Society constructed and ran the Royal Hospital for Women. In the early 1990s, they handed operations to the State Government.
The Royal Hospital for Women Park Opening Plaque marks a significant transition. The hospital closed in Paddington in June 1997. It relocated to new facilities at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. The old site was earmarked for public housing. Stockland Property Trust handled the development. It was the last original land grant in Paddington to remain intact.
The Royal Hospital for Women held a prominent position. It was a maternity hospital established in Paddington by the Benevolent Society in 1901. It gained the title ‘Royal’ in 1904. A new building was inaugurated in 1905. The hospital played a significant role in adoptions in New South Wales. Since 1992, the NSW Government has managed it.
Reflect upon the park’s design, a deliberate choice. It echoes the village ambiance of the surroundings. It serves as a gentle reminder of its past. This open space offers opportunities for relaxed recreation.
Consider this: more than 300,000 babies were born at the Royal Hospital for Women. It became a leading specialist hospital for women and babies in Australia. It also played a crucial role in adoptions. This was especially true during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Social workers were employed to identify adoptive mothers. Some adoptions were sadly forced.
The park stands as a tribute. It marks a place where countless lives began. It acknowledges the complex history of the Royal Hospital for Women. It was a place of care and controversy. The Royal Hospital for Women Park Opening Plaque invites us to remember. It prompts us to reflect on the ever-evolving landscape of women’s health and societal values.
Now dogs are permitted off-leash between 3:30pm and 10.30am Monday to Saturday, so keep this in mind. Dogs are prohibited on Sundays between 10 am and 8 pm.