History

The Rochester and District War Memorial Hospital has a proud record of achievement and service to the residents of Rochester and district dating back to its establishment in 1952. 

The official opening of the hospital by the then Premier of Victoria, the Hon.J.G. McDonald, was the culmination of eight years of planning and work by the building committee appointed by the Advance Rochester and District Association. 

The sum of £27,000 was raised locally, with significant input coming from the local branch of the RSL. This substantial amount added to a government contribution of £63,000, enabling the hospital to be handed over to the Committee of Management totally debt free.

Over the years, a number of additions to the original hospital structure have been made including additional acute beds, medical consulting rooms, bathroom facilities, staff amenities block and a major kitchen refurbishment. Two aged care facilities providing sixty residential aged care beds have also been constructed on the campus. After much deliberation and many meetings, the Rochester and District War Memorial Hospital amalgamated with the Elmore District Hospital, effective from 1st November 1993, to become known as the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service.In the following years the need for an updated hospital facility to meet the Health Service Accreditation and Building Certification requirements culminated in the State government agreeing to a $21.7 million redevelopment program. The redevelopment program commenced in late 2006 and was completed in July 2010.

Rochester & District War Memorial Hospital c. 1957