Foundations
Warrnambool, Victoria 1940
Sisters of St John of God first went to Warrnambool in Western Victoria in 1939. The parish priest, Father Patrick Kennelly who had played a central role in the foundation of St John of God Hospital in Ballarat, had been swift to realize Warrnambool needed a Catholic hospital.
He purchased a house and land and gave it to the Sisters where a hosital was quickly established. As was the case in the opening of other St John of God hospitals at that time, emphasis was placed on the fact that the hospital be opened to people of all faiths.
Many redevelopments took place over the years. The present Hospital at Warrnambool opened in 1994, and provides medical, surgical, maternity, oncology, paediatric services and on-site diagnostic services to the people of South-West Victoria. On-site consulting suites and visiting medical and surgical specialists eliminate the need for people to travel to metropolitan centres for medical care.
St John of God Hospital, Warrnambool is a division of St John of God Health Care, one of Australia's largest health care providers.
Further developments took place with a new hospital been built in 1994 www.sjog.org.au The Sisters continue to live and minister to the people of Warrnambool.
