An enthusiastic group of Mount Isa people have come out in force to keep the Underground Hospital and Beth Anderson Museum in community hands and to help reshape and rebuild the facility near the current hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At a recent meeting Simon Pope was elected to the position of interim President to oversee the reestablishment of governance and board structures to keep the Underground Hospital in the hands of local volunteers.
Simon is inviting any Mount Isa residents who are willing to contribute their time to the museum for a few hours a week.
He is encouraging people to visit the Underground Hospital any day between 10am and 2pm to learn more about the important work volunteers do to keep the complex open during the tourist season.
Other Interim Board Members include Kylie Rixon (vice president), Lorraine Lane (secretary), Kerri Davie, (treasurer), Kim-Maree Burton (publicity) and Greg Humphrey (community member).
The Underground Hospital and Beth Anderson Museum capture a unique piece of Australia’s wartime history.
Built in 1942, the Underground Hospital was constructed by miners working for Mount Isa Mine during the Second World War.
They were concerned that should the Japanese military venture south-east from their strikes in Darwin, then such a hospital was necessary to tend anyone wounded in Mount Isa.
Fortunately, there was no need to use it for medical evacuations.
The Underground Hospital was left in tact to be appreciated and admired by the many thousands of tourists, visitors and locals who have undertaken a tour of both the dugout hospital and its front post, the Beth Anderson Museum.
In accepting his position of Interim President, Simon Pope, thanked everyone present for their continued interested in the upkeep of this unique historical complex.
He said now in its 76th year, the Underground Hospital and Beth Anderson Museum needs volunteers.
If you would like more information on being a volunteer at the Underground Hospital contact Kylie Rixon on 4730 1100.