Pics from the Past | History of Goulburn Valley’s midwifery unit

By Geoff Allemand

Mar 14, 2025

Goulburn Valley Base Hospital Midwifery Unit, 1977. Pictured are Nurse Bush, mother Colleen Milne and baby Megan Milne (Lloyd). Photo by Contributed

Shepparton’s first hospital was based in Mooroopna and was established in 1876. The building was a small wooden hut on the bank of the Goulburn River.

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The original site of the Mooroopna and District Hospital was purchased in McLennan St and the first building was complete in 1877.

Extra buildings and extensions were added throughout the years.

From the early 1950s, attempts were made to have a new hospital built.

It had been acknowledged that a new building would be better than more alterations and additions to the present building.

When a final decision was made on the Graham St site at Shepparton, there were further delays because of government funding restraints.

The new complex was eventually planned to allow a staged development as funds became available.

The first stage, a midwifery unit, boiler-house and two staff residences were completed and opened in 1965.

Over the coming weeks I will explore the establishment of the main hospital for the Shepparton and district area in Mooroopna, rather than in Shepparton itself, and the history of the GV Base Hospital and private hospitals.

The new Goulburn Valley Base Hospital Midwifery Wing, 1968. Photo by Contributed

Lost Shepparton comments:

Lea N McKenzie

I had both children there under Sister Dent, a strict but a lovely lady. Daughter weighed 11lb 3oz in 1971. My son 11lb 8oz in 1973. Another beautiful lady was mother craft Nurse Arthur, I’ve forgotten her Christian name.

Colleen Milne

Megan you were one of the smallest babies born in the new Goulburn Valley Maternity Unit in 1977.

Tim Levin

My dad, Peter Levin, was the paediatrician.

Jennifer Sonneman

Such a true gentleman was Dr Peter Levin — had many interactions with him during my days in medical records.

Anne Lawer

The old midwifery wing is now occupied by the IT dept, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The old nurses’ home is now the specialist consulting suites.

Greg McCoy

Our three children were born there in 1977, 1979 and 1982.

I wasn’t allowed in the delivery room for the first two but by 1982 they relaxed the ‘law’ LOL.

Susan Helmore

Yes, I was in a big paddock, a bit creepy at night. Quite a distance from other buildings back in the 1970s.

Marilyn Pool

I can remember when it was a market garden.

Di Feldtmann

My aunt was the first death in the midwifery ward ... that was 1969.

David Southwell

I was born there in December 1965. Mum said that I was the first prem baby born there, and the roof started leaking badly one night when it was raining.