Stirling Hospital

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (15:11): On 1 August 1927, the community of Stirling and Mount Lofty and surrounding districts gathered for what was a truly momentous occasion for the Mount Lofty districts, and nearly 100 years on that proud history, the opening of the Stirling districts community hospital, continues. I might reflect on the remarks of Mr Rudall on behalf of the board on that special occasion. When speaking to the large crowd that was gathered, he went into detail concerning the fine civic spirit which had prompted people to ensure that the hospital was successfully established.

Looking through the financial statement of the donations, which were too numerous to mention singly, he said, as The Register reported at that time, that he was struck by the item which showed £5 raised by a concert at Scott Creek. That was not a place like Mount Lofty with its stately residencies, but consisted of the houses of working people. Such effort had enabled them all to build up such a splendid foundation that permitted the acquisition and establishment of the hospital.

I can tell the chamber today that that community spirit remains unabated. It remains as strong as ever, because on 11May, at very short notice, in the Stirling RSL Hall gathered a crowd that burst that place to the seams. More than 200 people came out on a cold night to express their solidarity for the Stirling community hospital to remain open in Stirling. They had been moved by news that the much-loved hospital, which will soon celebrate its centenary, may have an uncertain future. They had heard that there may be the possibility that the hospital will close its doors and relocate to Mount Barker.

I say to the chamber, and I say to this parliament and to all South Australians, that that truly would be a most unfortunate outcome—a most unfortunate outcome indeed. We know that over its nearly a century Stirling Hospital has maintained a reputation as among the safest in South Australia. In fact, clinicians and treating GPs have told me in recent days and weeks that if one is looking for a place where it is important to maintain infection control and the avoidance of infection risk, then you refer them to the Stirling hotel.

I say 'hotel': it is known as the Hilton of Stirling because of its great reputation for quality and cleanliness, the Stirling Hospital that is so affectionately known. It remains much loved, and I can tell members that it takes a fair amount to move the community of Stirling and districts, but when it does it speaks loudly and with great credibility. I hope that message is coming through clearly to the board.

At that gathering on 11 May, and in the days following that, 56 or so submissions containing a very large number of questions were identified and have been submitted to the board, and I am grateful for the board's indication that it is diligently going about the process of analysing those questions with a view to providing answers. There have been many communications that I have received over this period of time since the prospect of a future other than 100 more years at Stirling has been raised.

Let me make it very clear: among those in the audience on 11 May were board members of long standing, including my predecessor Isobel Redmond, who served 27 years on the board of the Stirling Hospital, and board chairs including Ross Sands, John Venus and Barrie Lloyd—people who exemplify community service at Stirling. They spoke as one when they said that not only do they have a strong and abiding personal connection to the hospital, but they will make sure that those who are charged with the responsibility for its management today do all that is necessary to ensure it has a strong future at Stirling.