3-076-813 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Matrons Joan Gardner and Hilda Vischer at St Monan's Hospital, 146 Holt Avenue, Cremorne, c1950. Cutting St Monan's birthday cake at one of the 'Back to St Monan's Day' celebrations. Matrons Joan Gardner and Hilda Vischer took over St Monan's Hospital and turned it into a maternity hospital. In 1948 the first 'Back to St Monan's Day' was held when mothers brought their babies to an afternoon in the hospital grounds, this yearly gathering continued until 1963. Although the hospital is now a block of units, many of the staff, mothers and babies have kept in touch. A final 'Back to St Monan's Day' was held at Balmoral Beach in March 1990.