Image Facebook Royal Melbourne Hospital - 1876 - Medical students undertook their clinical training at the Melbourne Hospital. Not sure I would want any of them operating on me.
History buff and story-teller Jeff Whittington is again running his eerie lantern light tours of the Royal Melbourne Hospital's Royal Park Campus.
Jeff Whittington is pictured below in his decidedly Victorian attire of frock coat, vest and top hat. He has worked for the hospital for over thirty years and has seen a lot of comings and goings over the years.
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He is happy to share his stories of ghosts, graves and secret tunnels of the hospital, which can be traced back to the gold rush of the early 1850s.
You will meet Alice from 1878 who will tell you what it was like to be a child in the girls' division of the Industrial School, at Royal Park.
The forbidding Matron from 1869 will also appear, out of the dark, in her full uniform illuminated only by her handheld candle.
You will learn how the hospital grew from a 10-bed cottage at the corner of Swanston and Lonsdale streets in 1848, to today's sprawling Parkville institution.
Originally a 10 bed facility for the poor and the sick. RMH Facebook
It is amazing how much of Melbourne's history is tied up with the history of this venerable institution.
Previous attendees have left comments about this great tour such as:
Simply brilliant! Fact, fiction and comedy combined with finesse."
Thank you for a fantastic tour and history lesson."
Facebook Historical Lantern Tours of Royal Park
Just like to say how much I enjoyed the tour tonight. It was so much more than I'd expected. Your Historical Lantern Tour volunteers really brought early Melbourne to life for me and had me thinking about the challenges faced by many of my ancestors who came out to Australia in the 1840's and 1850's. Thanks again for an informative and fun night out."
These tours run in autumn and winter through rain, hail or shine. A bit of fog and mist and standing under umbrellas simply adds to the atmosphere.
Facebook Historical Lantern Tours of Royal Park
It can get a bit chilly in the late evening so bring a coat and make sure to wear shoes that cover your toes.
The Historical Lantern tours are run by volunteers will all proceeds going to the campus.
Adults $10 (plus $1.58 booking fee)
children 16 and under $5 (plus $1.34 booking fee)
You should arrive 15 minutes before the time printed on your ticket and visit the main reception desk.
Historical Lantern Tours of Royal Park
The meeting point is the Royal Melbourne Hospital - Royal Park Campus - 34-54 Poplar Road, Parkville 3052. Enter via gate 1 then proceed to, main reception of the Robert Campbell Wing - Building 17, opposite the main car park.
Ticket office opens at 6:30 pm. The tour leaves at 7 pm sharp. Don't be late, as Jeff pulls out his fob watch and his tours always leave on time and conclude at around 9 pm.
This tour often has a special tour for Halloween. In 2018 it will be on Saturday the 27th of October 2018 with a later starting time.
Book your tickets
here.
