The Wooroloo Sanatorium
Wooroloo Sanatorium, in the Darling Ranges of Western Australia, was established by the State Government in response to the infectious diseases, such as typhoid, diphtheria, and tuberculosis, that were widely prevalent in the aftermath of the mass migration that came as a result of the gold rushes in Western Australia in the early part of the twentieth century.
The official opening was on the 1st of May 1915. Emphasis was placed on the treatment of tuberculosis through the provision of fresh air and sunlight. Patients with silicosis were relocated from the Coolgardie Sanatorium to Wooroloo when the Coolgardie Sanatorium was closed down. The Coolgardie Sanatorium was the first sanatorium in Western Australia to treat TB Patients.
1939
The first mention of the impact of WWII is evident when Jack Harrison performed at ANZAC House on November 29th 1939 as part of the annual “Festival of Toys” fund for orphans broadcast by 6AM-PM:
According to a note from “Peggy” of 6AM-PM, the annual “Festival of Toys” fund for orphans is proving a great success, over 50 pounds already having been collected, much of which has been sent in by listeners, who have been surprised to learn that in the 18 orphanages in and around Perth there are 1330 children. The “Festival of Toys” provides at least one toy for each of these children and two representatives from each orphanage are selected by the children themselves to receive the toys on behalf of the others. This function will take the form of a studio party on December 19 when the staff of 6AM-PM will entertain the children with cakes, ices and Christmas fare. Afterwards some 50 or 60 children will sing carols, the choir being augmented by the choir of boys of St Mary’s Church, South Perth, under the direction of Mrs Pannet. This will be broadcast during the children’s session at 5.30p.m.
On November 29 a concert at ANZAC House under the direction of Bill Talbot realised 30 pounds for the festival, assisting artists being Gwen Reid, Betty Day, Carmel Burroughs, Les Adams, Reg Smirke, Hugh Hay, Jack Harrison, Alan Roydhouse, Frank Peterson and Letty Hoskins (pianist.). The sum raised at this function included 9 pounds sent over from the naval and military men in camp at Rottnest and also from the residents. A Christmas concert organised by Bill Talbot will be held at Wooroloo Sanitorium on December 17.
The Broadcaster Dec 9 – 16 1939 page 31
The A.B.C. on Parade – Sunday 17th September at 3 Superb Concert
To Aid the Wooroloo Sanitorium Colony
Featuring…Jack Harrison (W.A,s miniature Larry Adler)…and the U.S. Navy Band
Ambassadors Theatre – By courtesy of Hoyts Theatres Ltd. Broadcast by station 6WN
A sanatorium for the treatment of tuberculosis (“T.B.”), or consumption as it was also known, was built in the relative isolation of Wooroloo also treated leprosy patients and had a cemetery nearby. Patients were segregated according to gender, and the severity of their case. The open fronted 10 bed wards, orientated north and east, were designed to maximize patient fresh air and sunlight. As well as providing for male and female staff, there were buildings to house administration, a laboratory, operating room, kitchen, dining room, billiard room, and a school for younger patients. In addition, the sanatorium had its own laundry, bakery, and power-house, making it a relatively self-contained operation. Building materials not produced on site arrived from the Wooroloo siding, via a temporary tramway. Built to house 300 patients (200 male and 100 female), there were initially only 80 patients, many of them ex-miners from the Eastern Goldfields. From the late 1930’s, Wooroloo was used as a preliminary 6-8 week training school for both male and female trainee nurses. Until the 1944 discovery of Streptomycin, rest, fresh air and good food were the only hope for T.B. patients. Many of them ended up in the nearby Wooroloo Cemetery (Site 210). With improved treatment, compulsory diagnostic chest x-rays and development in the late 1950’s, of the Perth Chest Hospital, Wooroloo became a District Hospital, with a maternity section from 1962.
AID FOR WOOROLOO – Concert Next Sunday
Theatrical artists are expressing their goodwill towards the patients of Wooroloo with a benefit concert in aid of the Sanatorium Colony, at the Ambassadors Theatre on Sunday, commencing at 3 o’clock. The Australian Broadcasting Commission has consented to present a performance of “The ABC on Parade,” which will be the first public appearance of this broadcast show, recently returned from a tour of military camps. The producer and compere is Dave Howard, with theatre orchestra under the direction of Ivan Nylander and Tony North at the organ. Guest artists include Betty Hatfield (soprano), Eileen Moran (entertainer), Olive Dunton (xylophonist), Tony North (wizard of the wurlitzer), Vaughan Hanly (virtuoso violin), Nell Shortland-Jones (popular vocalist), Maurice Jaffey (tenor), Jack Harrison (W.A.’s miniature Larry Adler), Hannah Colley (trumpet soloist) the Paulasto Brothers (entertainers) and those nitwits of the network Joe Brennan and Ida Newton,
The second half of the concert programme opens with the US Navy Band compered by Stan Gervas of 6PM-AM Professional vocalists, entertainers and vaudeville acts will also appear in sequence with a grand finale by the US Band.
The Ambassadors Theatre for this concert was made available to the Wooroloo Farm Colony Committee by Mr S. W. Perry, resident manager for Hoyts Theatres, Ltd.
Dr Park, Commissioner of Public Health, will briefly indicate that the concert opens a week of intensified effort to interest the public in the colony development and welfare of the patients at Wooroloo.
Seats for the concert may be reserved at Nicholsons, the admission prices being 4/, 3/ and 2/.
The West Australian Wednesday 13 September 1944 page 4
1948
On July 1st 1948, Jack Harrison’s trio won “Battle of the Bands” at the Capitol Theatre. It was attended by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir James Mitchell G.C.M.G. and raised funds for Wooroloo Hospital with Margot Elfverson, who was also the receptionist at the Murray St Chest Clinic, as the Public Health Candidate.
HOSPITAL AID – Dance Band Contest Winners
Strains of boogie-woogie, jazz, jive and swing music formed the principal part of last night’s entertainment at the Capitol Theatre in connection with the Wooroloo Hospital Queen Contest. The chief feature of the evening was the “Battle of the Bands” with five dance bands competing for a prize comprising silver and a cheque for 25 pounds. Honours went to Jack Harrison’s Swing Trio, one of the smaller ensembles in the competition, consisting of Jack and his twin sister, aged 16 years and an 18 year old brother. Ron Jenkins and his orchestra were placed second.
The West Australian Friday July 2 1948
Judgement of the winning band was based on applause by the audience…The Harrisons generously donated five pounds of the prize money to the appeal.
The Legion Perth Western Australia August 1948
FIRST Post-War Civil Service BALL – Y.A.L Ballroom – Thursday September 23 1948
In aid of Wooroloo Queen Contest – “Public Health Queen”.
Jack Harrison’s Dance Band (seven piece) and Vocalist.
Tickets 7/6 obtainable at all government Departments, or H.L. Woodrow, organising secretary, Perth Chest Clinic, 17 Murray Street.
Tickets also available at Nicholsons. No door sales.
The Civic Service Journal August 27 1948
A fund-raising competition was announced in Perth in April 1948 for the Perth Chest Clinic:
TB COLONY
To help raise funds for the Wooroloo after-care colony, a Hospital Queen contest will be held. It will be launched this month and will end in a health week and a musical, dramatic and dancing festival about the end of June.
The Daily News Wednesday 7 April 1948 page 7
The Perth Chest Clinic officially opened on May 7, 1948, marking the launch of Western Australia’s massive state-wide tuberculosis (TB) control and mass miniature radiography (MMR) program. Origins: It was established as the headquarters for the newly formed Tuberculosis Control Branch of the Public Health Department. It took over the metropolitan care of patients previously treated in the remote Woorooloo Sanatorium. Initially based in the historic Hibernian Hall on Murray Street, Perth. 1948 was the first year mass miniature radiography (MMR) was implemented in WA, focusing initially on targeted, at-risk groups and later expanding to the wider public. Under the direction of Dr. Linley Henzell (Director of Tuberculosis), the Public Health Department implemented an aggressive, anti-TB strategy. This included community-wide screenings, education, and plans for a dedicated city chest hospital. On August 22, 1958, the Perth Chest Hospital was officially opened in Nedlands, replacing the Woorooloo Sanatorium and serving as the central hub for TB management. The clinic played a vital role in early diagnosis, utilizing early medical breakthroughs like streptomycin and surgical interventions pioneered by local thoracic surgeons.
HOSPITAL AID – Dance Band Contest Winners
Strains of boogie-woogie, jazz, jive and swing music formed the principal part of last night’s entertainment at the Capitol Theatre in connection with the Wooroloo Hospital Queen Contest. The programme was arranged by the Legion of Liberty. which is one of several bodies who together are seeking to raise £100,000 required for the establishment of a village for the after-care of discharged tuberculosis patients. The chief feature of the evening was the “battle of the bands.” with five dance bands competing for a prize comprising silver and a cheque for £25. Honours went to Jack Harrison’s Swing Trio, one of the smaller ensembles in the competition, consisting of Jack and his twin sister, aged 16 years, and an 18-year-old brother. Ron Jenkins and his orchestra were placed second, and the Ashton Quartette third. The prizes were presented on behalf of the legion by “Miss Liberty” (Miss Elma Palmer). Judgment was based on the strength of the applause. Nearly all accommodation in the theatre was taken. Geoff Manion compered.
The West Australian Friday 2 July 1948 page 10
WOOROLOO HOSPITAL QUEEN CONTEST – NEXT SUNDAY— AMBASSADORS 3 p.m.
By His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir James Mitchell, G.C.M.G. Presence of Official Party, Candidate, Supporters. Production and arrangement: Dave Howard.
Compere: James Condon. Jack Harrison’s Swing Quartette; Frances Moran; Dawn Hack; and 50 other leading artists,
Admission, 2/6 by ticket only. Limited number available at Theatre.
The Daily News 16 July 1948 page 7
Variety Show
Wooroloo Hospital Queen contest will be officially opened by His Excellency, Lieut Governor Sir James Mitchell at a variety concert to be held at the Ambassadors
Theatre tomorrow, Sunday, July 18, at 3 pm. Local artists on the programme include pianists Henry Cochrane and Billy Clowes, Jack Harrison and his Swing Quartette, entertainers Dave Howard and Coral Gunning and songsters Maurice Jaffey, Dawn Hack and Betty Hatfield.
Mirror Saturday 17 July 1948 page 15
CAPITOL THEATRE SHOW – VENTURE PROVES HUGE SUCCESS – WOOROLOO HOSPITAL QUEEN CONTEST
With a theatre almost packed to capacity hundreds of enthusiasts enjoyed an evening of boogie-woogie, jive, jazz and swing music which formed the principal part of the Capitol Theatre entertainment on 1st July last. During the evening Sammy Sharpe’s fifteen piece Orchestra rendered latest numbers from overseas.
The Battle of the Bands proved most interesting, the honours going to the smallest ensembles in the contest.
Sixteen year old Jack Harrison, with his twin sister and eighteen year old brother took home the colours in the form of a silver cup and a cheque for £25. Judgement of the winning band was based on applause by the audience and results were very close. Ron Jenkins and his band ran Jack Harrison a very close second, with Mrs Ashton’s Quartette third on the list.
Prizes were presented by “Miss Liberty” (Elma Palmer) who afterwards thanked many people and organisations for very valuable assistance rendered to the cause. A good profit was the result of the evening. The Harrisons generously donated five pounds of the prize money to “Miss Liberty’s” Appeal.
Shows of this nature prove conclusively that the Legion is fully capable of running large functions, and we feel sure that this addition to the cause will be much appreciated. To members of the Hospital Queen Committee and to all members of the Legion who rendered assistance we express our sincere thanks. We also extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the many firms whose assistance in various matters added tremendously to the success of the evening. To the contesting bands we owe a particular vote of thanks. Without the band there would not have been a contest. We feel that this Contest stimulated interest in the jazz-band world and we hope that in the future it will be possible to organise other functions of a similar nature.
The Legion (Legion of Liberty) August 1948
GRAND BALL ABOARD H.M.A.S. LEEUWIN – (by kind permission of Commander Kennedy R.A.N.)
Wooroloo Hospital Appeal – Navy Department Queen
SEPTEMBER 10, 8 – 1
Frequent buses to and from Fremantle Station and Traffic Bridge
JACK HARRISON AND HIS BAND
Tickets available Musgrove’s, Perth; Shepherd’s, Fremantle.
The West Australian Tuesday August 31 1948 page 2
FIRST Post-War CIVIL SERVICE BALL – Y.A.L. BALLROOM – Thursday September 23rd 1948
In aid of Wooroloo Queen contest “Public Health Queen”
Novelties – Floor Show – Streamers
Dancing 8pm – 1am
Jack Harrison’s Dance Band (7 piece) and vocalist
Tickets Obtainable at all Government Departments or H.L. Woodrow, Organising Secretary, Perth Chest Clinic, 17 Murray Street. Price 7/6.
The Civil Service Journal August 27 1948
By the 1960s, the sanatorium was no longer required, and the institution was operated as a geriatric and a district hospital. The Wooroloo Sanatorium was subsequently converted to a minimum security prison for short-term offenders after the Prisons Department officially acquired the site in April 1970.
The former sanatorium itself occupies a band of land between the Great Eastern Highway and the pipeline for the Goldfields Water Supply. It stands on the slopes of Beechina Hill above the Linley Valley and Wooroloo Creek.
The Wooroloo Cemetery is located midway between the former sanatorium and the township of Wooroloo.