Tomorrow (September 18, 2019) marks 110 years since doors officially opened at the David Berry Hospital.
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The Shoalhaven Telegraph described it at the official opening on Saturday, September 18, 1909 as "a thing of beauty and will stand for years to come as a memorial of the generosity and philanthropy of him who left his successors the wherewithal to carry off the work."
Officiating at the ceremony was the NSW premier Charles Wade, who after being handed an inscribed silver key, opened the front door and praised the hospital and what it had to offer.
"The rooms are replete with every convenience that science could suggest," he later said.
Berry mayor, Thomas McLay entertained the premier and other politicians, along with 40 local residents.
However there was a larger attendance for the inspection of the building which followed, and all were apparently impressed.
"It is a prettily designed, two-storey brick building, and is fitted with every convenience and essential necessary to the work of an up-to-date hospital," The Telegraph reported.
Visitors were taken through a hall to the male ward of 10 beds, and the female ward on the opposite side had eight beds. The wards were of white tiles and plaster, with a verandah eight feet wide around each.
The matron's and nurses' dining rooms were on the ground floor, while their bedrooms were upstairs.
The hospital was designed by government architect Liberty Vernon and Howard Joseland who was responsible for various buildings on the Berry estate. The construction cost was 7,900 pounds (approximately $14,300)
The last surviving member of the family, David Berry had died 20 years earlier on September 23, 1889 and among his bequests was 100,000 pounds "for the purpose of erecting and endowing a hospital for non-infectious disease for the benefit particularly of inhabitants of Broughton Creek (Berry) and the district of Shoalhaven."
The cash wasn't immediately available, as much of the millionaire's estate was in property. As a temporary measure, a cottage hospital was opened in 1894 and served the Berry community until the new one was done.
Shoalhaven historian Robyn Florence has written about the history of the hospital. The book, 'A magnificent bequest - David Berry Hospital - the first 50 years 1909-1959' will be launched on October 12 at 10am at St Luke's Church Hall. RSVP to the Berry Historical Society by October 3.