Category: People & Profiles

The area of Mont Park and Springthorpe has been home to many people, living, working, recuperating, and enjoying this area north of Melbourne.

Several well-documented historic characters like Dr Ernest Jones, Dr Eric Cunningham Dax and Dr John Springthorpe were associated with Mont Park. Dr Dan Gresswell has lent his name to many local features, and Hugh Linaker designed the hospital gardens, parts of which remain a remarkable heritage to this day.

A surprising variety of Victorians have memories of activities at Bundoora and Macleod. Soldiers trained in the area in preparation for World War I and during World War II the Australian Women’s Land Army learnt their farming skills at Mont Park. From the 1960s health professionals like occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers and psychiatric nurses undertook their student placements at the mental health establishments of Larundel and Mont Park.

Profiles are included here for other lesser known people who helped shape the values and culture of Mont Park. Their families and colleagues are to be thanked for providing enlightening information.

Importantly this project has recorded Oral Histories of four Mont Park staff. These individuals recall the 1970s through to the 1990s at Mont Park in colourful and compassionate stories which reflect the caring nature and atmosphere of the hospitals.

Painters, plumbers, boot makers, tailors, cooks and administrators were all needed at Bundoora. Health care professionals, ward attendants and volunteers felt especially rewarded when most of the patients attained the social and practical skills they needed to return to their families or to community living.