Sydney Hospital - Macquarie Street - August 2021

Sydney Hospital August 2021

Sydney Hospital, also known as Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital, is one of the oldest hospitals in Australia. Here's some information about Sydney Hospital:

1. History: Sydney Hospital was established in 1788, making it the oldest hospital in Australia. It was founded just months after the arrival of the First Fleet, which established the British colony of New South Wales. Initially, it provided medical care for convicts and military personnel.

2. Location: Sydney Hospital is located in Macquarie Street, in the heart of Sydney's central business district. It occupies a prominent position near the Royal Botanic Garden and is surrounded by other significant landmarks, including the State Library of New South Wales and the New South Wales Parliament House.

3. Services: Sydney Hospital is a general public hospital that offers a wide range of medical services. It provides emergency care, surgical procedures, specialized clinics, and outpatient services. The hospital is known for its expertise in ophthalmology (eye care) and is home to the Sydney Eye Hospital, which is a dedicated eye care facility within the broader hospital complex.

4. Architecture: The main building of Sydney Hospital is an impressive example of Georgian architecture. Constructed from locally sourced sandstone, it features classical elements such as colonnades, porticos, and decorative detailing. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to accommodate the growing needs of the hospital.

5. Heritage Significance: Sydney Hospital is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register and is recognized for its historical and architectural importance. The hospital has preserved some of its original structures and continues to provide healthcare services while maintaining its historical integrity.

6. Teaching and Research: Sydney Hospital has a strong association with medical education and research. It serves as a teaching hospital for medical students from the University of Sydney and other universities. The hospital is also involved in clinical research and contributes to advancements in medical knowledge and practices.

7. Community Engagement: In addition to its medical services, Sydney Hospital actively engages with the community. It participates in health promotion activities, organizes public lectures and events, and provides support for patients and their families.

Sydney Hospital holds a significant place in the history of Australian healthcare and continues to provide essential medical services to the community. Its central location and rich heritage make it an iconic institution in Sydney's medical landscape.

The Sydney Mint - Macqaurie Street - Sydney - New South Wales

The Sydney Mint 

Macquarie Street 

How many McQuarrie‘s critics never cease to winning out that he had virtually paid in rum for Sydneys second general hospital.

Looking back, it seems a brilliant street by the government to have acquired a huge public building for nothing, whatever that means employed.

The first General Hospital was in what is now lower George Street. By McQuarrie‘s time it was a filthy house of death. The governor then let the contract for a new one in McQuarrie Street to 3 men who had never built anything-

 

The governor then let the contract for a new one in McQuarrie Street to 3 men who had never built anything-

Darcy went Worth

-random black cell

– Alexander Riley

In return they were permitted to import 45,000 gallons of rum in three years.

This was almost a monopoly, but the three speculators do not seem to have made much profit on it.

The hospital, the first part of which was opened in 1916, was in three sections.

The present Sydney hospital stands on the side of the large central block, which was pulled down in 1879. To the north and the south of the main block with separate -surgeons quarters. The wing in the north still stands, as Parliament house.

It is a quite a mess of additions, tacked on to save space to cramped legislators. It’s twin the Southern building, which first housed the assistant surgeons, has escaped uglification. It stands at the top of Macquarie Street, it’s pillared facade admired as a fine relic of colonial design.

From 1885 to 1926 a branch of the Royal Mint worked there, producing the first New South Wales sovereign Beloved by collectors.

It now houses government departments, including ironically, the state housing commission.

The Mint in Sydney, also known as the Sydney Mint or the Rum Hospital, has a fascinating history deeply intertwined with the city's colonial past, economic development, and architectural heritage. Here's an overview of its history:

Background and Construction:

• The Mint was originally established in response to the need for a reliable currency in the early colony of New South Wales, which suffered from a shortage of official coinage.
• The building that would become the Mint was originally intended to be the Rum Hospital, constructed using funds generated from the importation of rum.

Architectural Significance:

• The Rum Hospital (future Mint) was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway, who was renowned for his neoclassical designs.
• The building's design was influenced by the classical architectural principles of symmetry, proportion, and grandeur.

Conversion to the Mint:

• The Rum Hospital was not used as a medical facility for long. In the 1850s, it was repurposed as the Sydney Mint to address the shortage of local coinage.
• The Mint was equipped with machinery to produce gold sovereigns and silver coins. It played a crucial role in providing a stable and official currency for the colony.

Coin Production:

• From 1855 to 1926, the Sydney Mint produced gold sovereigns, half-sovereigns, and other denominations of silver coins.
• The coins minted here had a significant impact on the local economy and trade, as well as contributing to the establishment of the Australian currency system.

Architectural Features:

• The building features a distinctive colonnaded facade with Doric columns and ornate detailing.
• The exterior of the building reflects the neoclassical style that Greenway favored in his designs.

Modern Uses:

• The Mint ceased its coin production operations in 1926, and the building went through various uses and renovations.
• In the 21st century, the Mint has been repurposed as a museum, showcasing its historical significance, the history of coin production, and the economic development of Australia.

Heritage Status:

• The Sydney Mint is a heritage-listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical significance.

The Sydney Mint's history reflects the evolution of colonial Sydney, from its early struggles for currency to its establishment as a reliable mint and its subsequent transformation into a museum that preserves the legacy of coin production and its impact on Australian society and economy.

Sydney Hospital - Macquarie Street - Sydney

Sydney “Rum” Hospital - Macquarie Street 

I

Governor Macquarie On The 27th July 1822 Reported Building 
“A Large Stone Built Colonial General Hospital, Two Stories High, With Quarters For 6 Medical Officers, With Upper And Lower Verandahs Round All The Buildings .
It Could Accomodate Up To 300 Patients, And Garden Ground For Medical Officers And The Sick, And The Whole Premises Enclosed With A Nine Foot Wall. 

The Chosen Spot For Sydney Hospital Was On A Ridge, Seven Acres South Of Government House. 
Governor Macquarie Allowed 45,000 Gallons Of Bengal Rum, With A Six Month Grace Period Before They Had To Pay A Duty Of Three Shillings Per Gallon

Sydney Hospital - Macquarie Street - Sydney

Sydney Hospital - The "Rum Hospital" - Macquarie Street - Sydney - NSW

Sydney Hospital And Other Government Buildings Came Around As A Result Of The Hard Work Governor Lachlan Macquarie When He Took Over As Governor In 1810.
And It's Hard To Imagine What Lachlan Macquarie And His Wife Were Sailing Into When They Came From England. Rum Ruled Everything. It WasThe Currency Of  and South Wales, And. the Renegade Red. Coats Were Probably In Control. I dont Know Much AboutThat Period In Between Governor Bligh Shaking under His Bed When The Red Coats Got Him And Took Over in 1806.... And It Sticks In My Head From A Famous Painting Of The Scene. (I'll Have To Find It) Till The Time Governor Macquarie Arrived.

Sydney Was Pretty Much Slums With a Few Muddy Tracks.
Macquarie Went On The Name The Streets And Map Them Out.
In Relation To Sydney Hospital I've Often Heard That Macquarie Paid For It From Rum Proceeds. But what An Amazing Piece Of Work It Is. The Whole Of That Part Of Macquarie street is Amazing. It holds
- Hyde Park Barracks
- The NSW Mint
- The NSW Parliament (which I Think Was Originally Part Of The Hospital)
- The Mitchell Wing
-  The Conservatorium Of Music (Originally The Government Horse Stables)
- Government House, Which Is Hidden Away From  View In The Botanical Gardens And  The Domain
- The Sydney Garden Palace Would've Been The Jewel In The Macquarie Street Crown If Any Part Of It Were Still There. Yet Another Piece Of History Gone up In Smoke Probably From Arson. I will be writing About How I  Found Of Its Existence In Some Rubbish.


Just To Name A Few Things
I Happened To Be At Sydney Hospital Recently And Gee..... It's upkeep Has Really Started To Deteriate. It was Quite Disheartening Considering It's A Building(s) That Has Really Stood The Test Of Time, & Is Still A Fully Working Hospital.
 As Far As I Can Remember It. Was Also Th Design Of Francis Greenway, who Was The Architect For A Lot Of The Buildings Governor Macquarie Had Built. He'd Been Sent To New South Wales For Forgery.

The Main Entrance To The Hospital And Up The Stairs.

some of The Stonework Is truly Amazing Once You Get Up Close To It.