A Ghostly Sign on the Wingham Road

By 1944, Taree had long since boasted a public hospital. Wingham, however, and its Upper Manning catchment, was reliant on a private hospital. Concerns were raised that not all patients could afford the fees, with a special mention being given to the needs of returning war service personnel.¹

It was therefore unsurprising that a well-attended public meeting held in June 1944 enthusiastically endorsed the idea of petitioning the government for the provision of a public hospital in Wingham, to be known as Wingham and District War Memorial Hospital. Fund raising began immediately.²

The community acquired a site in Bungay Road³ and, in 1947, received a verbal assurance that government funding would be forthcoming if the community could raise a contribution of £10,000.⁴ With this money to hand, 1950 brought an expectation that work would soon commence. Unfortunately, this did not happen.⁵

It was presumably community frustration that led to the erection, in mid-1950, of a satirical sign on the Wingham Road at the gateway to the town, which seemingly remained in place until mid-1954. Although the sign attracted significant attention, no hospital resulted.⁶

Wingham did not get its hospital until 1969. The facility has been altered over time and is now known as Wingham Community Hospital.⁷

Author: Penny Teerman