Margaret River Hospital
Margaret River's first District Medical Officer was Dr Willam Rigby in 1923 and it wasn't till May 1924 that a weatherboard cottage hospital was built. In 1929 the nurses accommodation was added as well as the Margaret Cecil Rest Home for nursing mothers. Later between 1935 to 1940 a dining room, operating theater upgrade and maternity wing was added.
Dr Rigby was succeeded by Dr M Mandlestamm in 1934 and in 1937 by Dr E.B. Tunbridge who continued up to 1948. Then in 1949 Dr John Barrett with his partner Dr John Wilson 1954 continued on until the mid 1960's where one year the town was without a resident doctor. This led the then Shire to advertise for a doctor and an Irish couple John and Ethnie Lagan arrived and served the district for many years. The hospital had it's usual renovation over those years and with the growing population it was decided to build a newer hospital on the large existing land which resulted in that being opened in 1990. The old building was vested to the Margaret River Community after much good work by local Mrs Joyce Bennett. This building is now the town's Community Resource Centre and is very well supported by the community.
The Bramley school, the group settlement building, the blacksmith workshop and the other buildings offer an insight into the history of early life in the district and the families that once lived and worked the land.
For opening hours and more information about The Old Settlement and the Margaret River Historical Society visit mrdhs.com.au
References
Reference map of Margaret River with site numbers
Margaret River Town 1894-1984 by Mavis Wise
Margaret River Stories by Guy Jennings, ISBN 9780646575346
A History of the Catholic Community of Margaret River District by Merilyn Hutton
Margaret River & District Historical Society photo collection
John Alferink from my recollections of the town after being in the area for over 68 years, John Alferink 2021