Morisset Hospital Centenary

Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie) [2.01 p.m.]: Saturday 9 May 2009 marks the centenary of an event that is significant to the electorate of Lake Macquarie: the arrival of a group of patients for admission to the first purpose-built ward, which was still under construction, at Morisset Hospital in 1909. A group of 78 men were temporarily housed in rendered calico tents while Ward 1 of the new facility was constructed on the waterfront site three miles from the town of Morisset. This was the start of the Morisset Hospital for the Insane, as it was known between 1909 and 1914. A book about the history of the hospital, which was published in 2000, described the facility in its title as A Private World on a Nameless Bay. The book, which was researched and printed by volunteers who formed the Morisset Hospital Historical Society, included a foreword by former Medical Superintendent Dr Les Darcy. He wrote, "Two aspects of Morisset Hospital which stand out are family tradition and service to the community." The book rightly describes the hospital in 2000 as a ghost of its former self and speaks of the many who are saddened to see what has become of a once great institution. Eight years on this holds even more true.

I have had a strong personal involvement with the psychiatric hospital, having worked there as a nurse for 24 years over a 28-year period before taking up my role as Mayor of Lake Macquarie. I was fortunate to experience the sense of community that characterised the workplace and I gained a real appreciation for the site's history. I place on record my gratitude to the Morisset Hospital Historical Society for its work in recording the important history of Morisset Hospital and promoting the significance of the centenary. The committee, which was formed in 1997 by former staff and members of the community who were interested in preserving the heritage of Morisset Hospital, has amassed an impressive collection of photographs and memorabilia. There is much enthusiasm for the group's plan to release a DVD of historic photos for the centenary.

A timeline of events in the life of the hospital shows its rise and decline. In 1900, 1,300 acres of land east of Morisset was reserved for the purpose of an asylum for the insane. In 1901 the "insanity Act" provided for the approval of the construction of the Morisset Asylum for the Insane. In 1906 three staff and six patients lived onsite in tents, as clearing of the site commenced. In 1909 the group of 78 patients occupied Ward 1 while construction of the recreation hall and other buildings continued. By 1913 there were 288 patients and the first permanent medical officer. In 1933 there were 672 patients and the ward for the criminally insane was commenced. In 1934 the first female patients and nursing staff arrived. By 1960 a chapel had been built and the population was 1,403. By 1970 patient numbers were declining as a result of more patients being eligible for disability pensions, more effective medications and treatment programs and a change in community attitudes. During the 1980s and l990s the hospital was split into two distinct and separate entities—psychiatric services and developmental disability—and six wards were closed.

In 1997 a hospital reunion was held and the Morisset Hospital Historical Society was established. The 5,000-acre hospital grounds included almost the entire catchment of Pourmalong Creek, which was used as its water supply. With the subsequent connection to town water, much of the land was surplus. In the 1980s I was one of a group of people who proposed that this surplus land should be part of a State-run reserve, rather than disposed of for its asset value, as sought by the Unsworth Government. A large portion of the original site now exists as the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area. I acknowledge the assistance of the former member for Lake Macquarie, Jeff Hunter, in helping to achieve this. The hospital continues to occupy a magnificent site on the shores of Lake Macquarie. It is surrounded by bushland and is home to a diversity of wildlife, particularly a well-known population of kangaroos, which spend much of their time lounging on the hospital's lawns.

It is fortuitous that the Minister for Planning is present in the Chamber. It was pleasing that the then Minister for Disability Services, Ms Kristina Keneally, attended the site during August. I am aware that the clients and staff of Kanangra Centre appreciated Minister Keneally taking the time to visit. I thank her for that. There are compelling reasons for the Government to upgrade the facilities for mental health and developmental disability on this site. In the meantime, the Government may acknowledge the significance of this anniversary to the patients, the families, the staff, the local community and the State by extending assistance to the hospital and the Morisset Hospital Historical Society so that they can appropriately recognise this important anniversary.

Ms KRISTINA KENEALLY (Heffron—Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo) [2.06 p.m.]: I thank the member for Lake Macquarie for bringing this matter before the House. I note that he is a passionate supporter of the site and the Morisset Hospital Historical Society and is very interested in all matters that take place in Morisset. I appreciate the time the member took to show me around the site and to introduce me to the staff at the Kanangra Centre and many of the people who live there. I met people whom the member had cared for during his career before he came to this place. Those people were happy to see him. That speaks volumes about the member and the level of care provided at the centre. The people in his electorate and those associated with the Morisset site are fortunate to have such a strong advocate in the member for Lake Macquarie.

Question—That private members' statements be noted—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Private members' statements noted.

[The Acting-Speaker (Mr Matthew Morris) left the chair at 2.07 p.m. The House resumed at 2.15 p.m.]