"During 1984 local community members identified a need for community based palliative care services. A steering committee formed and after much consultation in 1985 an incorporated association was formed. With strong community support the committee lobbied for and gained government funding. State funds were granted in April 1987 for two nurses and a vehicle to operate from Ballarat and District Nursing Society’s Headquarters in Armstrong St, Ballarat. During 1989 Ballarat Hospice Care was recognised as a model for palliative care services. Service development continued leading to the purchase and refurbishment of 312 Drummond St Sth, Ballarat with operations commencing in 1999 from that location." (From: Ballarat Hospice Care website, https://ballarathospicecare.org.au/who-we-are/history) Unions Ballarat Secretary, Graeme Shearer, was on the steering committee as a Labour Organisation representative. Documents: 1. Palliation Plus Program, Steering Committee Meeting Author: Alan Carless Date: 29 November ???? 2. Ballarat Hospice Care - letter - rules incorporated Author: Alan Carless Date: 3rd December 1984 3. Steering Committee - apologies for not attending meeting and rates of pay for nurses Author: Alan Carless Date: n.d. 4. Palliation Plus Program - letter to Graeme Shearer and Dulcie Corbett, Ballarat Trades and Labour Council Author: Alan Carless Date: 4th November 1984 5. Ballarat Hospice Care - Steering Committee Meeting Author: Alan Carless Date: 29 November 1984 6. Ballarat Hospice Care (inc.) - letter - requesting financial support Author: Ballarat Hospice Care Date: n.d. 7. Ballarat Hospice Care (inc.) - Newsletter Author: Ballarat Hospice Care Date: December 1985-January1986 8. Palliation Plus Program - letter to Graeme Shearer - invitation to first meeting of steering committee. Author: Alan Carless Date: 20 October 1984 9. Palliation Plus Program - Steering Committee Meeting Author: Alan Carless Date: 1st November 1984 10. Palliation Plus Program - hospice working conditions Author: Alan Carless Date: 4th November 1984 Union role in community decision making and social improvements.Loose documents - minutes, agendas and correspondence - scanned.Handwritten notes on some documents.btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat hospice care, palliative care, community consultation

Crossroads at Lake Bolac, 1963. Junction of the Ballarat/Hamilton and Ararat/Mortlake roads. Starting centre left, the large building on the south-east side of the Ballarat road is Goodall's garage. Next door is the original Bush Nursing centre, then Dalgety's, the Bakery, the Milkbar and on the corner is the Bank of New South Wales building, Elder's, Green's drapery shop and the Lake Bolac Memorial Hall. On the traffic island in front of the Hall is the War Memorial and across the Woorndoo road is the Hotel (with the maroon roof) with stables behind. Across the road again is the Stanbury's General Store with their large warehouse behind.lake bolac, 1963, goodall, bush nursing, dalgety, elders, green, bank of new south wales, stanbury.

The hospital was established (circa 1920's) by the Carruthers sisters, who both were qualified nursing sisters. It was later known as St Andrews. The hospital became the Sunshine & District Community Hospital on 15 September 1946. Many local people were born in this hospital. The First Annual Report for period 15 September 1946 to 30 June 1947 states that there were 182 births, and that 413 patients were admitted. The daily average of patients during this period was 15.3 of whom 37.8% were members and 62.2% non members. It ended its use as a hospital in 1989, and the buildings were demolished to be replaced by residential units.This was the main hospital in the Sunshine area serving the local residents for several decades. Its usefulness as a local hospital became irrelevant when the significantly larger Sunshine Hospital in Furlong Rd became operational.Black and white photograph of the former hospital which was of weatherboard construction, and which was located at 9 King Edward Ave, Albion Vic.sunshine community hospital, st andrews hospital, carruthers sisters, sunshine & district community hospital, king edward avenue hospital, 9 king edward avenue