George Weaver papers, relating to Crown Street Women's Hospital, 1958-1999

MLMSS 8115

fonds

1958-1999

Textual Records, Clippings, Ephemera

411697

2.40 metres of textual material (14 boxes and 1 folder)

The Crown Street Women's Hospital was founded by Dr. James Graham in 1893, with the aim of lifting medical standards for maternity care. In addition to providing wards for surgical cases and complicated births, the Women's Hospital also provided treatment in homes.

Initial funding of the Women's Hospital came from public subscription, obstetric nurse training and student fees, with assistance from the Government in obtaining furniture and surgical instruments. The Board of the Women's Hospital met for the first time on 13 August 1895.

As stated in a Women's Hospital publication, the objects of the Hospital were: -

(a) To establish and maintain hospital facilities and afford relief to sick persons in accordance with the provisions of the Act, but primarily, in accordance with the original objects of the Hospital, to provide for the medical and nursing care, indoor and outdoor, of women in pregnancy and childbirth, newly-born babies, and women suffering from diseases peculiar to their sex.

(b) To provide for the systematic instruction and practical training of nurses and such other persons as may be approved, from time to time, by the Commission; and, particularly to conduct:
(i) A training school where obstetric nursing in all its branches may be taught;
(ii) A clinical school/s in obstetics, neo-natal paediatrics, and gynaecology for
students of the University of Sydney in the Faculty of Medicine.

(c) To establish or annex and/or administer such other auxiliary or subsidiary hospital units as may from time to time be approved by the Commission.

(d) To provide for post-graduate study and research in or in connection with the work of the Hospital and to participate so far as circumstances may warrant in any activity, approved by the Commission, designed to promote the general health of the community.

By its Golden Jubilee in 1943, Crown Street Women's Hospital had become the largest maternity hospital in New South Wales.

The Crown Street Women's Hospital was closed on 31 March 1983, and its facilities were transferred to hospitals in the outer suburbs of Sydney.

George Weaver, a Sydney solicitor, held the office of President of the Crown Street Women's Hospital from 1976 until the closure of the Hospital in 1983. He played a significant role in the campaign to prevent the closure of the Hospital.

References:
Library correspondence file
Compiled from the collection
Archives In Brief 88 - Crown Street Women's Hospital, State Records NSW, http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/archives-in-brief/archives-in-brief-88 (accessed 12 October 2011)

BOXES 1-4 (RESTRICTED until 1 July 2023)
Board agendas prepared by George Weaver for his use as Chairman and incorporating, in relation to each item, extracts from earlier Minutes and background notes, 1977-1983.
Box 1 1977-1978
Box 2 1979
Box 3 1980-July 1981
Box 4 August 1981-March 1983, including a copy of the Minutes of the final meeting.

BOX 5 (RESTRICTED until 1 July 2023)
Papers relating to meetings of the Board of Directors of the Crown Street Women's Hospital, 1960-1982, including:
Extracts from the minutes being mainly from board meetings, 1960.
Memorandum to directors and delegates relating to the regionalisation and the management structure of the health commission of New South Wales, 1977.
Background notes on agendas for board meetings, 1976-1982.

BOX 6 (RESTRICTED until 1 July 2023)
Papers, correspondence, statements and notes relating to the closure of Crown Street Women's Hospital, 1981-1982.

BOX 7 (RESTRICTED until 1 July 2023)
Papers and correspondence relating to the Crown Street Women's Hospital, 1976-1999:
Includes correspondence relating to George Weaver's role as President of the Crown Street Women's Hospital including social events, Annual General Meetings, as well as condolence letters, letters of invitation, thank you letters, reference letters for staff and letters relating to future storage of Hospital records.

BOXES 8-9 (RESTRICTED until 1 July 2023)
Files relating to the Crown Street Women's Hospital buildings and services, 1973-1983:
Includes documents relating to Lady Wakehurst Unit, Canonbury, the Birth Centre, Outpatients department and bed numbers.

BOX 10
Papers relating to the By-Laws Committee of the Crown Street Women's Hospital, 1977-1981:
Includes correspondence, notes and drafts of By-Laws.

BOX 11
Speeches and Statements, 1972-1983:
Includes speeches made by George Weaver for meetings, graduation ceremonies, various official occasions and for rallies against the hospital closure.

BOX 12
Surveys and Reports, 1976-1981:
Includes reports on acceditation, organisation and methods surveys on outpatients and supply departments, hospital services planning study and inspection report.

BOX 13
Newspaper clippings relating to the Crown Street Women's Hospital, 1965-1985:
Subjects include the demolition of Canonbury in Darling Point, budget cuts to hospitals in N.S.W., the closure of Crown Street Women's Hospital and the campaign to prevent its closure, and the impact of the closure.

BOX 14
Printed material 1958-1983:
Includes annual reports, medical and clinical reports, hospital journals and programs.

FOLDER 15 (RESTRICTED until 2040)
Copies of correspondence from George Weaver, in an envelope marked 'Not to be opened before 2040'.
Correspondence to and from George Weaver relating to the nursing roster at Crown Street Women's Hospital.
Also applications for position of CEO 1975 and curriculum vitae.

Partly restricted: Applies to MLMSS 8115/Boxes 1-9 MLMSS 8115/Folder 15, Expires: 2023-07-01
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Copyright status:: In copyright
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Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder