HERITAGE NOOSA
HERITAGE NOOSA
Cooran Private Hospital (former)
DETAILS
Alternative NameCooran Maternity Hospital and ResidenceDescriptionIn April 1891, forty one acres of land in Cooran was purchased by William Martin, one of the district’s earliest European settlers for £550 and subsequently subdivided in 1911. George Street formed part of the earliest residential subdivisions in Cooran and it is thought that the house on this site was built for George Renshaw in 1912, although it is unclear whether he lived there or not. Renshaw and partner Charles Loseby owned Cooran Sawmill, which was sold to the Straker family in 1918.
The Brisbane Telegraph (1931, November 25) reported on a “large gathering at the housewarming party of the residence of Mr G. Renshaw, of Cooran, which is to be used forthwith by Sisters W.Knight and M. Napier of Brisbane" and “that Messrs Bryan and Brown welcomed Sisters Knight and Napier, also Dr. H. S. Harper, who responded for the guests.”
This coincides with advertisements for Cooran Private Hospital from 1931. Pomona, Cooroy and other regional townships had similar small private hospitals for the treatment of minor injuries which helped avoid residents having to make the arduous journey to the larger regional hospital in Gympie. Both Matron Napier and Dr Harper are later mentioned in newspaper stories featuring the Cooran Private Hospital.
A 1933 newspaper story headlined “Forearm Fractured, Lad Falls from Horse” paints a picture of treatments available at the hospital. “When Leslie, the 13 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Timms of Cooran, fell off a horse last week he sustained a fracture of the left forearm. He was taken to Cooran Private Hospital, where he was attended by Dr. Harper.”
Noosa Shire Council minutes in October of 1933 record correspondence from Dr. G.B. Clayton, advising that he had “inspected the Cooran Private Hospital, and everything is in accordance with the Health Act.”
The Cooroora Historical Society records the hospital as having been used mainly as a ‘lying-in’ hospital for mothers after delivery of a baby. This use would have been relatively common in the 1930s and is supported by early advertisements detailing obstetrics as one of the services offered. Additionally, Matron Napier was as member of the Australasian Trained Nurses Association, which qualified her to offer midwifery services. In 1934 reports indicate that Matron Napier left Cooran to take over a private hospital in Toowoomba.
Currently the building functions as a private residence, set on large block with extensive established gardens.
Address16-18,George Street,Cooran
The Brisbane Telegraph (1931, November 25) reported on a “large gathering at the housewarming party of the residence of Mr G. Renshaw, of Cooran, which is to be used forthwith by Sisters W.Knight and M. Napier of Brisbane" and “that Messrs Bryan and Brown welcomed Sisters Knight and Napier, also Dr. H. S. Harper, who responded for the guests.”
This coincides with advertisements for Cooran Private Hospital from 1931. Pomona, Cooroy and other regional townships had similar small private hospitals for the treatment of minor injuries which helped avoid residents having to make the arduous journey to the larger regional hospital in Gympie. Both Matron Napier and Dr Harper are later mentioned in newspaper stories featuring the Cooran Private Hospital.
A 1933 newspaper story headlined “Forearm Fractured, Lad Falls from Horse” paints a picture of treatments available at the hospital. “When Leslie, the 13 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Timms of Cooran, fell off a horse last week he sustained a fracture of the left forearm. He was taken to Cooran Private Hospital, where he was attended by Dr. Harper.”
Noosa Shire Council minutes in October of 1933 record correspondence from Dr. G.B. Clayton, advising that he had “inspected the Cooran Private Hospital, and everything is in accordance with the Health Act.”
The Cooroora Historical Society records the hospital as having been used mainly as a ‘lying-in’ hospital for mothers after delivery of a baby. This use would have been relatively common in the 1930s and is supported by early advertisements detailing obstetrics as one of the services offered. Additionally, Matron Napier was as member of the Australasian Trained Nurses Association, which qualified her to offer midwifery services. In 1934 reports indicate that Matron Napier left Cooran to take over a private hospital in Toowoomba.
Currently the building functions as a private residence, set on large block with extensive established gardens.
Address16-18,George Street,Cooran
Article & Manuscript
Cooran Private Hospital (former). Heritage Noosa, accessed 11/12/2025, https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/24482
