Collection a journey through time
Embroidered linen, silver service, handwritten menus and some rather interesting surgical instruments were all part of a fascinating display at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital curated to acknowledge the hospital’s 80th anniversary.
12 Apr 2017
12 April 2017
The items are drawn from Mt Lawley’s Heritage Collection which Jacqui Sherriff, Group Heritage Coordinator and volunteer Rae Mail, have been collating.
Jacqui says the past months have uncovered the rich history of the hospital from photographs, surgical equipment, and text books from the Midwifery Training School. ‘Training for childbirth – a mother’s point of view’ by Minnie Randell, published in 1943, is a particular highlight.
Jacqui says it has been a great journey through the times.
“It is fantastic having Rae alongside to help with this collection,” says Jacqui.
“We share a real joy in digging out the stories and how they have paved the way for the hospital as it now is. While times have changed, there are still many things that resonate with the care and commitment to patients as given by the Sisters of Mercy.
“This was apparent through the hospital’s time as St Anne’s and then Mercy Hospital. Although a lot has changed, the values have remained similar – and that is what makes this hospital beloved to the community and underpins our reputation,” said Jacqui.
Rae, who has volunteered with the hospital since June 2016, says this work, which includes a broader Heritage collection, has been fascinating from the start.
“I am involved in finding and cataloguing items and then working with the team to photograph and measure the items and pulling together information to make sure the written descriptions are correct,” said Rae.
“The collection couldn’t have been pulled together without Jacqui’s patience and guidance. Her efforts and enthusiasm have carried the project along and I hope people have enjoyed taking a stroll down memory lane with this display.”
A big thank you also goes to Kerrie James, Volunteer Services Coordinator and Ruby Kontaratos, Jacqui’s daughter, who photographed items for the Heritage Collection and helped design the backdrops for the display. Ruby attends John Curtin College of the Arts and is undertaking Media Studies.
Also to Sister Hope Messer RSM and Dr Stuart Prosser both helped identify and deepen our knowledge of specific items in the Heritage Collection.