"100 YEARS OF CARING"
On the 9th May 2009 Morisset Hospital celebrated the centenary of the first formal admission of patients to Morisset Hospital.
Morisset Hospital is a psychiatric hospital situated on Lake Macquarie, which is the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia. The lake itself is four times the size of Sydney Harbour. Near the township of Morisset in New South Wales, Australia, the hospital is approximately a 90-minute drive north of Sydney and an hour south of Newcastle. The Morisset Hospital Historical Society was formed in 1997 by a group of people interested in preserving the history & heritage of Morisset Hospital. That group has now merged with Lake Macquarie & District Historical Society Inc. and is now known as Morisset Hospital History Sub-committee of Lake Macquarie & Districthistorical Society Inc. Our aim is to collect and preserve the history & heritage of Morisset Hospital. We are particularly interested in obtaining copies of historic photographs, documents and small items to display in our display cases at the Morisset Multipurpose Centre. We also have a fledging museum display which was first open for viewing on Saturday 9th May 2009 at the centenary celebrations. Please contact us if you have photos or other items suitable for adding to our collection.
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Family History Research Information
Since the inception of this web site, we have received enquiries from people researching their family history and seeking information regarding relatives who had, at some time, been admitted to Morisset Hospital. We do not have access to any records of former patients or staff members. We do know that there was a fire in the administration office in which a large number of records, including patients’ clinical files, were destroyed. The exact date of that fire is unknown. Anecdotal accounts suggest late 1950’s, early 1960’s. What records that do remain are archived with Hunter New England Mental Health. Under current legislation, patients’ clinical files are destroyed after 15 years but Admission Registers, dating back to the admission of the first patients, are still in existence and such information may be available to family history researchers under certain criteria. There is a charge involved when requesting information. For further information contact the Medicolegal Officer of Hunter New England Mental Health, contact details below.
Medicolegal Officer, Hunter New England Mental Health PO Box 833, Newcastle 2300 Ph 02 4924 6621
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The Book - 'A PRIVATE WORLD ON A NAMELESS BAY'
- a History of Morisset Hospital
Newcomers to the Southlake area would not be aware of the unique community within a community that Morisset Hospital once was. Dr Les Darcy, a former Medical Superintendent wrote in his Foreword to the book, “A Private World on a Nameless Bay” - two aspects of Morisset Hospital which stand out are family tradition and service to the community.
Morisset Hospital holds special memories for many people, the hospital is now a ghost of its former self and many who remember how much a part of the community the hospital once was are saddened to see what has become of a once great institution. This book not only documents the history of the hospital, it also paints a picture of the soul of this very special community. The book can be purchased for $25 dollars from the Morisset Newsagency or Morisset Mega Market Newsagency or contact Morisset Hospital History Sub-committee if you would like to purchase a copy and have it posted to you.
MORISSET HOSPITAL - A BRIEF HISTORY
Often clouded by falsehoods and ignorance were public perceptions of mental illness. Care and treatment of mental health problems is intriguing, intricate and often difficult to understand without an appreciation of the historical, social and political background.
According to Shireav, 1979:6, psychiatry in NSW can be divided into four periods of varying administrative policy and treatment (Shireav, 1979:6).
Ø 1788 to 1839 - The Primitive Era. (The Beginnings)
Ø 1839 to 1860 - The Moral Treatment Era. (The Romantic)
Ø 1860 to 1945 - The Physical Treatment Era. (The Classical)
Ø 1945 to the present day - The Modern Era. (The Revolution in Therapy)
The classical and revolution in therapy were the periods in the history of Morisset Hospital.
1900
1,300 acres of land east of Morisset reserved for the purpose of an Asylum for the Insane.
1901
The “insanity Act” provided the approval for the construction of the Morisset Asylum for the Insane.
1906
A staff of 3 male attendants and 6 patients lived side by side in tents. Clearing and construction commenced. First thing constructed was a jetty, then a dam. First temporary ward completed. Building material was transported across the lake by barge.
1907
The first Manager, George Edwards, was appointed, he supervised the clearing of the land and preparation of the hospital site. Arthur John Wilson was transferred from Kenmore Mental Hospital in Goulburn to supervise construction of roadways to enable access for building. One of the roads he constructed, known as ‘The Avenue’ was planted with Yellow box and Turpentine. Further plantings occurred in later years. 'The Avenue' is the main road leading in to the township of Morisset.
1908
On the 17th August a Newcastle and Miners Advocate article describes the construction of Ward 1. A 16th November 1908 Newcastle and Miners Advocate article reports that construction of the Recreation Hall was commenced.
1909
The first patients arrived on the 9th May 1909. There were 78 male patients. Ward 1 opened on the 6th September. Construction of further buildings was well under way.
1910
157 male patients. Temporary calico dormitories erected. These buildings consisted of a wooden frame, calico side panels, wooden floors and a canvas fly over the whole building. Manager's residence constructed.
1911
Cricket oval, poultry yards & gardens completed.
1912
243 male patients who were mostly housed in the Calico Wards. The first Medical Officer, Dr Samson, commenced duty. Prior to this medical services were provided by a doctor from Gosford, one day a week.
1913
A patient population of 288.
1914
Building programme largely suspended due to the outbreak of World War 1. Patient population had increased to 375. The hospital fishing fleet was assembled.
1915
Patients & staff went out each Thursday in the hospital fishing fleet and provided fish for the traditional Friday luncheon.
1916
Main store built, remains standing (Jan 2006)
1918
484 male patients, 93 in excess of the accommodation.
1919
13th August Victory Ball held in recreation Hall to celebrate the end of World War 1.
1920
A new ward opened - population rose to 512, all male. Overcrowding was very bad. The theatrical stage, which slopes from back to front, was added to the Recreation Hall
1930
Land was set aside at Morisset for the establishment of a hospital for the Criminally Insane.
1933
672 patients now at Morisset. The ward for the Criminally Insane was now commenced.
1934
The first female patients and nursing staff arrived in March.
1936
Only tank or dam water was available at the hospital.
1938
New Male Refractory wards were opened.
1939
World War 2 breaks out & a lack of funds holds up all construction work. Serious drought resulted in acute water shortage at Morisset. An emergency service from Pourmalong Creek constructed
1954
Hospital Chapel foundation stone was laid.
1957
The Chapel was officially opened and dedicated on the 24th August. The hospital was renowned for it’s flock of peacocks wandering about the grounds.
1960
Patient population reaches 1403.
1962
The new dairy was used for the first time on the 12th July 1962. The first hospital fete - the Festival of Flowers (abundance of flowers in bloom at the hospital at fete time)
1963
Population was reported as 1490.
1965
Integration of male and female wards commenced, number of admissions decreases, & rise in the discharge rate. Pressure on hospital beds began to decrease. Large wards began to reduce the number of beds.
1970
Patient numbers were declining due to more patients being eligible for disability pensions, more effective medications, treatment programs, and a change in community attitudes. Early 70’s, the ‘boys’ from Peat & Milson Islands started being transferred to Morisset.
1972
Morisset Hospital grounds were proclaimed as a Wildlife Refuge.
1974
“The Denby”, launch used for taking patients out on the lake, was transferred to Peat Island. The end of the patient work gangs and outdoor male nurses.
1985
The special community that was Morisset Hospital underwent major changes with the division of the hospital in to two distinct & separate entities – Psychiatric Services and Developmental Disability. Ward 18 closed, Ward 16 closed, Ward 19 closed & Ward 20 closed.
1991
Ward 21 ‘The Crim’ closed. Wards 19 & 20 demolished.
1992
Ward 9 closed. Ward 11 patients moved in to old doctors & paramedical staff cottages. A new state of the art forensic psychiatry security unit is built on the site of the demolished wards 19 & 20.
1997
Hospital Reunion organised and the Morisset Hospital Historical Society was established.
2000
August - “A Private World on a Nameless Bay – a history of Morisset Hospital” published by MHHS.
2002
The historic hospital lantern restoration was completed at a cost of $5,115.
2005
In October, 11 months after the official opening of the Morisset Multipurpose Centre, showcases containing the lantern & hospital memorabilia were installed in the centre at a cost of $3,000.
Our web site was also established.
2009
Morisset Hospital History Sub-committee of Lake Macquarie & District Historical Society Inc. and Hunter New England Mental Health worked together in planning the highly successful centenary celebrations held at the hospital on the 9th May 2009.
