Field Hospital Bribie 1965

In September 1965 a Field Hospital was set up at Woorim as part of the field training of the 3rd Clearing Station of the Australian Army. The 50-bed hospital set up was open to public inspection for a day and many local people took the opportunity to visit. Below are two articles which appeared in the Bribie Star at that time.

Field Hospital Training at Woorim (September 1965)

Field Hospital

An Army group is to visit Bribie Island in September to set up a Field Hospital of 50 beds. The Field Hospital will be located near the partly constructed Koolamarra Motel from the 13th to the 17th September. The Commanding Officer, Lt. Colonel Wainer, has issued an invitation to the public to visit the hospital which will be open for inspection on Thursday 16th September.

Source: Bribie Star, v.4 no. 5, 27 August 1965, p. 2

Aerial view (cropped) 11 July 1967.
Moreton Bay and Adjoining mainland,
run 3, 24,000 ft. QAP1747 frame 24.
QImagery. 

Field Training for the Army (September 1965)

Bribie Island was chosen for the field training of the 3rd Clearing Station. This is an element of the Army that includes in its training the setting up of a Field Hospital in various places each month.

Although this element would depend on other Army services such as supply and engineers, it is a complete hospital of 50 beds, the job of the staff being to take care of urgent casualties whose lives would be further endangered by a lapse of time taken to get them to a permanent or general hospital.

In modern times these casualities are very often picked up by helicopter directly from battalion or patrol positions and taken to the advanced field hospital.

The 50-bed hospital set up on Bribie was open to public inspection on the 17th September and was fully equipped to handle all emergencies. It is all under canvas. These canvas centres are very cool, having a double roof, allowing a passage of air between the inner and outer canvas and are dug in in war areas.

The hospital has a reception room for receiving patients. The next step is a resuscitational centre for pre-operational treatment. This theatre is fully equipped with a portable X-ray machine complete with dark room and sterilizing equipment. ... From the operating theatre the patient is transferred to a main ward, also under canvas. The hospital is also equipped with a very well stocked pharmacy and also a sick bay for its own staff of 75 men who are fully trained to the standards of the nursing staff of other and civilian hospitals. To cater for this staff the unit has to carry all the necessary equipment to feed them and care for their everyday needs.

The Head Teacher of the Bribie State School was pleased to accept an invitation to the staff and children to visit the Army Field Hospital at Woorim.

Pupils travelled by bus and bicycles for the hour-long tour over the hospital on 16th September.

A number of Army personel explained the procedure and functioning of various party of the unit. Real patients who aided in illustrated talks aroused in the children particular interest and sympathy. Equipment for blood transfusions, X-rays and blood tests were all demonstrated. Visitors also saw techniques used for resuscitation.

A highlight to conclude the occasion was a drink of water from a large aluminium Army mug!

Source: Bribie Star, v.4 no. 7, 24 September 1965, p.4

REFERENCES

Aerial view (cropped) 11 July 1967. Moreton Bay and Adjoining mainland, run 3, 24,000 ft. QAP1747 frame 24. QImagery. https://qimagery.information.qld.gov.au/

Field Hospital. Bribie Star, v.4 no. 5, 27 August 1965, p. 2

Field Training for the Army. Bribie Star, v.4 no. 7, 24 September 1965, p.4