By Brad Lester
Architectural plans for the first permanent Wonthaggi Hospital dating from 1913 have been returned home after a surprise find at a church sale in regional Victoria.
The meticulous hand-drawn plans were found at the Clunes Presbytery Open Garden Garage Sale by a connection of Wonthaggi historian Sam Gatto.
Architectural plans for the first permanent Wonthaggi Hospital dating from 1913 have been returned home after a surprise find at a church sale in regional Victoria.
The meticulous hand-drawn plans were found at the Clunes Presbytery Open Garden Garage Sale by a connection of Wonthaggi historian Sam Gatto.
Recognising the plans’ significance, Mr Gatto worked with Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child to buy the framed plans and transport them to Wonthaggi Hospital.
The plans were revealed to the public at a morning tea at the hospital on Thursday 22 June and are displayed proudly within the hospital, at Café 1910, near an original part of the building.
“The original drawings have come back home more than 100 years after they were drawn,” Mr Gatto said.
Ms Child was impressed by the craftmanship and history attached to the plans. “To see the plans is so special. It really is an exciting piece,” she said.
“The Wonthaggi Hospital has always been embedded in this community and to have this piece of history on display for all to appreciate will only strength that bond.”
A friend of Sam’s son Matteo, Lauren Reece, discovered the plans during the garage sale, held as part of the Clunes Booktown Festival in March this year. Lauren was aware that Sam had written the history of the Wonthaggi hospital, Accepting the Challenge.
She phoned Matteo to ask him if Sam was interested in the framed plans. It was Sunday, and she was only there for the day, so time was of the essence.
Matteo rang Sam who was in his car on his way to a concert in Melbourne. Sam in turn rang Ms Child, who immediately agreed to pay the $350 asking price.
Sam then rang Matteo and he in turn asked Lauren to buy the plans and then look after them until she met Matteo. The painstaking process of safely returning the plans to Wonthaggi was almost complete.
The garage sale was held by Dr Kevin Lee, a specialist physician and endocrinologist, as well as a medical researcher at Monash University.
The plans were revealed to the public at a morning tea at the hospital on Thursday 22 June and are displayed proudly within the hospital, at Café 1910, near an original part of the building.
“The original drawings have come back home more than 100 years after they were drawn,” Mr Gatto said.
Ms Child was impressed by the craftmanship and history attached to the plans. “To see the plans is so special. It really is an exciting piece,” she said.
“The Wonthaggi Hospital has always been embedded in this community and to have this piece of history on display for all to appreciate will only strength that bond.”
A friend of Sam’s son Matteo, Lauren Reece, discovered the plans during the garage sale, held as part of the Clunes Booktown Festival in March this year. Lauren was aware that Sam had written the history of the Wonthaggi hospital, Accepting the Challenge.
She phoned Matteo to ask him if Sam was interested in the framed plans. It was Sunday, and she was only there for the day, so time was of the essence.
Matteo rang Sam who was in his car on his way to a concert in Melbourne. Sam in turn rang Ms Child, who immediately agreed to pay the $350 asking price.
Sam then rang Matteo and he in turn asked Lauren to buy the plans and then look after them until she met Matteo. The painstaking process of safely returning the plans to Wonthaggi was almost complete.
The garage sale was held by Dr Kevin Lee, a specialist physician and endocrinologist, as well as a medical researcher at Monash University.
Members of the Wonthaggi Historical Society were on hand to see the plans unveiled.