Historical hospital plaque off to museum

A HISTORICAL brass plaque from Rockhampton Hospital is headed for community display at the Australian Country Hospital Heritage Association (ACHHA) at Rockhampton Heritage Village.

The plaque was originally located on a pillar of the brick fence built at the main entrance to the Rockhampton Hospital and acknowledged the legacy left by a benefactor, Mr G.F. Sandrock, which allowed the fence and gates to be made.

The two smaller gates allowed pedestrian entrance while the larger set allowed vehicles to enter the grounds of the hospital from Canning St.

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service has donated the plaque to the association so that it can be fixed on the sandstone fence near the original heavy gates which were donated to ACHHA in 2006.

Chief executive Len Richards said it was important not to lose these precious reminders of the hospital's humble beginnings.

"Our early benefactors, such as Mr Sandrock, were pivotal to the development of this wonderful hospital and its links to our community," Mr Richards said.

"No doubt Mr Sandrock would be astounded at the modern hi-tech health hub this hospital has become since his work on the committee in those early days.

"We are very grateful to the hard-working volunteers of the Australian Country Hospital Heritage Association for preserving the early memories of our hospital and were delighted to agree to their request to have this precious old plaque fixed to the museum's sandstone fence for public display at the Heritage Village."

For more information on the ACHHA display, call vice-president Ashley Reid on 4927 3910.