The former Lidcombe Hospital went through several names and identity changes during its history reflecting societal transformation and medical developments between the late 19th and late 20th Century. As a result, the architectural legacy is huge with a variety of building styles and examples of the work of several well-known architects represented.
From 1885 to 1892, the NSW Government proposed the construction of a boys’ reformatory school and model farm on land adjacent to Rookwood Cemetery.
The first buildings were designed by Government Architect, James Barnet but its purpose had altered by the time construction was completed. It instead opened as the Rookwood Asylum for the Aged and Infirm in 1893 to ease overcrowding pressures on the Parramatta, Liverpool, and other city asylums.
Between 1914 and 1926 the facility became Lidcombe State Hospital and Asylum for men. This diversified its functions but also greatly increased its population, requiring expansion of the facilities to accommodate more patients and staff, particularly after other asylums across Sydney closed, and their patients were transferred to Lidcombe.
The Hospital was largely self-sufficient throughout its use. Inmate labour was used to run a bakery, a piggery, a vegetable garden, a hen house for eggs, and to grow maize and oats to feed a herd of cattle who were also milked. The Hospital’s herd of Friesian cows were prize winning, making appearances in many competitions and the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Hospital inmates also ran a barber shop, assisted a local carpenter, did clerical work for the hospital, worked in the kitchens and laundry, and assisted in supervising others.
A recreation hall with a library was designed by architect Ken Woolley and built in 1963. Concerts were held regularly, and patients and inmates were involved in a range of day-to-day recreation activities, including archery, singing, group activities, and sports. One of the more unique recreation features was a competition standard bowling green. In was opened in April 1931, by Minister for Health James McGirr. An official bowling club and committee was formed, and the green was extensively used many years, becoming a popular attraction. Home and away matches were played against external clubs and sister institutions, until it was paved over for a new car park in the 1980s. In 1966, the facility became the Lidcombe State Hospital and Home and from this period until 1995 the focus was on transformation and inclusion of additional services and specialisations, including intensive care, a spinal unit, and geriatric services.
In 1998 some of the old Hospital buildings and structures were adapted for use as the Olympic Media Village during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After the Olympics much of the site was redeveloped as a housing subdivision called Botanica, with the most important historic buildings retained in a heritage precinct. Some of these have been repurposed for either residential, commercial or community uses, most notably the Vernon-designed pavilion wards which have become ‘The Gallery’ residences.
The heritage significant gardens were laid out in High-Victorian and Edwardian landscaping styles and still contain several mature trees that were planted between the late 19th Century – early 20th Century period including Norfolk Island and Hoop Pines, Moreton Bay and Port Jackson figs, Canary Island Date Palms and Cabbage Palms.
Archaeological remnants include evidence of farming on the site which grew and produced its own food for many years; the first large Septic Tank System in Sydney and a WWII air raid shelter.
The Lidcombe Hospital Precinct is listed on the NSW State Heritage Inventory.
All photographs used in this trail were donated by the Lidcombe Heritage Group and are now part of the Cumberland City Council Local Studies Collection.
