VPRS 19375 Appeal Sub-Committee Minutes

This record series consists of the minutes of the Appeal Sub-Committee of Prince Henry's Hospital. The 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. A new Sub-Committee was formed by the Board at its meeting in May 1967 with a view to submitting recommendations concerning the conduct of a public appeal in 1969. The target sum was to be one million dollars. It was agreed that the proceeds of the appeal should be used to enlarge the hospital and thus provide for its advance in the following spheres: Psychiatric Unit; Intensive Care Unit; the development of clinical and scientific research facilities (including Medical Ancillary Services such as a Pulmonary Function Unit, Radio Isotope Service, Cytology etc.). On 1 June 1971 a Public Appeal was opened and was to carry through until 31 July of that year. The target was two million dollars. The Government was to provide $3 for every $1 raised for approved building projects. The hospital's physical target was the addition of beds to expand its capacity to receive and treat victims of road accidents, and to accommodate private and intermediate patients. There was also seen to be a need for additions to the Departments of Radiology, Pathology, Pharmacy and Social Work, and to food services, laundry and the general stores area. The records reveal that the 1955 Appeal had raised approximately 94% of the target up to the close of the Appeal period. The Annual Report for 1955 described it as being amongst the outstanding events associated with the hospital since its foundation. 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. In relation to the 1969 Appeal, there are no minutes between November 1967 and March 1970. Further, there is no reference to the 1969 Appeal in the annual reports for this period. It appears it was abandoned. Indeed, the Annual Report for 1971 refers to the 1971 Public Appeal. It referred to it as the first such Appeal since 1955. Cancellation of the 1969 Appeal was confirmed in the minutes of 8 October 1970.  The last minutes recorded in this series are dated 1 December 1970.