A place of healing

Several private hospitals and nursing homes have been located in Manly over the years. The proximity to sea-bathing facilities and fresh air made Manly a popular choice among convalescing patients, particularly in the period following World War One. One of the best-known of these private hospitals was St Ronan's Private Hospital, which started up in about 1903, on Ocean Beach (North Steyne). In its early days it was owned by the Misses Le Mesurier, who offered maternity and convalescent care. Records in the State Archives show that by the 1910s St Ronan's was permitted to conduct medical, surgical and midwifery treatment, and could accommodate 14 patients. Miss Ada Black was resident masseuse. The hospital probably took its name from the British spa destination, St Ronan's Well, popularised by Sir Walter Scott's novel of that name.

One baby born at St Ronan's, on 24th May 1916, was Arthur Roden Cutler, who was later to become Sir Roden Cutler, Governor of New South Wales, winner of the Victoria Cross. Among those whose last days were spent at St Ronan's were the politician Ernest H Farrar, MLC, and the cricketer Reginald Wood. Wood was an Englishman who played cricket for Victoria, and was capped by England in their touring Test team of 1886/87. He died of alcoholic poisoning at St Ronan's in 1915, and was buried in Manly Cemetery. A finely-researched biography of him, Finally a Face, was published by sporting historian Philip Paine.

The hospital moved from its North Steyne position in circa 1934, to a new location in the house formerly known as Stancombe, on the corner of Osborne and Addison Road, Manly. It closed its doors in 1963.

Thanks to John Morcombe for the loan of the rare postcard showing St Ronan's in its heyday.

John MacRitchie, 31 March 2011.