Brian St Alban Smith – writer, artist, poet and patient
Patients were encouraged to develop and utilise their skills in their hospitalisation and...
Read MoreThe 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.
by Margaret Jack | Sep 2, 2021 | People & Profiles
Patients were encouraged to develop and utilise their skills in their hospitalisation and...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Feb 17, 2021 | People & Profiles
Lelean Close in Bundoora is named after Reverend (Clive) Drew Lelean who served as a Chaplain and...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Feb 10, 2021 | People & Profiles
Joanna Gonnella worked at the Larundel Mental Hospital, which operated for many years at the site...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Feb 10, 2021 | People & Profiles
Oldmeadow Court in the Gresswell Grange Estate in Bundoora is named after one of the Doctors who...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Dec 13, 2020 | People & Profiles
Kahans Close is a small street in the Gresswell Grange Estate in Bundoora. It is named after Dr...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Jul 8, 2020 | People & Profiles
Near the Macleod station, south of Cherry Street is an interesting housing estate which was...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Jan 9, 2020 | People & Profiles
Matron Tyers, Dr David Cade and staff in the front step of the New Hospital courtesy...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Mar 16, 2019 | People & Profiles
Dr David Duncan Cade and his wife Ellen – parents of Dr John F.J. Cade. Dr David Duncan Cade (1875 – 1954) was a medical doctor who worked in mental asylums in Australia in the 1920s and 1930s, officially retiring from...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Mar 16, 2019 | People & Profiles
David John Harding Barlow (1928 – 2002) – admired psychiatrist at Larundel Dr Barlow came to work...
Read Moreby Sue Beshara | Sep 14, 2018 | People & Profiles
Eric Wrigley was born in Manchester, England, in 1943. Eric emigrated from England to Australia in...
Read Moreby Sue Beshara | Sep 14, 2018 | People & Profiles
Elsie (May) Storr was born in Reservoir in 1938. She has always lived in this area and attended...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Sep 5, 2018 | People & Profiles
Elspeth Pearson – Occupational Therapist from Larundel honoured by the Queen in 1990...
Read Moreby Kathy Andrewartha | Jun 8, 2018 | People & Profiles
Muriel’s Nursing Kathy Andrewartha 2018 Muriel Yarrington (1915 – 1968) was a most important...
Read Moreby Sue Beshara | May 23, 2018 | People & Profiles
Laurie (Laurence Edward) Reid, was born in Fairfield in 1943. His family shifted around quite a...
Read MoreWe have an active Facebook group where you can follow our updates and discussions.
The Project is coordinated by a small group of volunteers and we welcome anyone who would like to get involved.
Darebin Council
La Trobe University
Public Records Office of Victoria
City of Whittlesea
Royal Historical Society of Victoria