VPRS 19376 Executive Planning Committee of Final Wing Appeal Minutes

This record series consists of the Minutes of the Executive Planning Committee of the Final Wing Appeal of Prince Henry's Hospital. The Prince Henry's Hospital Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 1954 noted that the Board had been allocated by the Hospitals and Charities Commission the months of June and July 1955 for the purpose of conducting a Public Appeal. The purpose of the Appeal was to assist with the cost of re-building and equipping the South Wing and the Out-Patients' Department. The Commission had placed upon the hospital the responsibility of raising 25% of the sum. The inaugural meeting of the Executive Planning Committee of Final Wing Appeal was held on 19 August 1954. The records reveal that the Appeal met its fund-raising target. The Annual Report for 1955 described it as being amongst the outstanding events associated with the Hospital since its foundation. The members of the Executive Planning Committee were acknowledged in the report for their time, energies and resources in making the Appeal a success. The Appeal was formally launched by His Excellency the Governor at a dinner dance held at the Melbourne Town Hall on 31 May 1955. Donors each subscribed 1,000 pounds for a commemorative brick. The bricks, each bearing the inscription of the donor, were to be laid by the Governor at a ceremony to take place when the building works were more advanced. The ceremony took place on 25 October 1956. The official opening of the South Wing and Out-Patients' Department took place on 26 February 1959. The hospital's rebuilding program was completed in 1960.