When you walk down Sydney's historic
Macquarie Street, which includes sights such as the
Hyde Park Barracks and the
Mint Building, it's not often you consider how much of this history is still a living, breathing part of Sydney life today. The most obvious example of this is the
Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital, which has the honour of being Australia's first hospital, and still provides general and specialist medical services for the public to this day.
Sydney Hospital dates from the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, and was originally located in what is now George Street,
The Rocks. The hospital has been at its current location since 1811, and is a proud symbol of Australia's medical and nursing history: in 1868, after concern about the state of the hospital and an appeal from NSW politicians, the famous
Flornce Nightingale sent out
Lucy Osburn as Lady Superintendent of the Infirmary, accompanied by five other trained nurses. Osburn dramatically cleaned up vermin-infested Infirmary, despite open hostility from doctors who opposed the idea of women working in hospitals, and is today regarded as the founder of nursing in Australia.
In addition to its colourful history, the hospital does host a number of attractions that should appeal to any visitor. The famous 19th century sandstone Macquarie Building is very camera friendly, and features a grand entrance with a carved cedar staircase and two stained glass portrait panels in the central stairwell. Other sights include the beautiful Chapel of St Luke the Physician, the famous boar sculpture, 'Il Porcellino', located at the hospital entrance, and The Robert Brough Memorial Fountain, which has the distinction of being the most photographed subject in the CBD. The Lucy Osburn – Nightingale Foundation Museum is also well worth visiting; it includes items of interest such as Florence Nightingale's sewing basket from the Crimean War, Lucy Osburn's nurses register, and other historical photographs and objects.
The Sydney Hospital has such a sense of history, and is so beautiful, that it will banish all negative associations you usually have with a hospital visit – at least temporarily!
Tours of the hospital take approximately one hour and are offered every weekday for just $10, the proceeds of which fund the purchases of medical equipment. Bookings are essential, and can be made by contacting the Friends of Sydney Hospital volunteers on 9382 7111. Tours of the museum can be held any day of the week at 9.30 or 2pm. They cost $5, which goes towards the maintenance of the collection, and can be booked on 9382 7400.
