This building stood until quite recently (now demolished) and was a far cry from the original facility, built in the early 1900's, for the treatment of people with tuberculosis.
Later it became a home for the elderly before it closed its doors and became a playground for urban explorers.
Later it became a home for the elderly before it closed its doors and became a playground for urban explorers.
Greenvale Sanatorium - A Place for 'Incurables'
Buildings and grounds of Greenvale Sanatorium. Today, Australia has one of the lowest incidence rates of Tuberculosis in the world. The disease which typically attacks the lungs is spread via saliva through the air, although only one in ten carriers of the latent disease will actually develop into the active infection, which will kill around 50% if left untreated.
As with all disease in the colonial years of our country, Tuberculosis, known then as 'Consumption', was greatly feared. At first, in the earliest years of settlement, families would be put into quarantine, limiting contact with others and hoping to stop the disease.
Soon a new method of dealing with the disease was introduced into the country, removal of the infected person to be placed into a sanatorium.
In 1905 the government set aside a large tract of land in Broadmeadows Victoria, for the building of a sanatorium for consumptives. The sanatorium was to accommodate those with the illness from its very first stages, through to those deemed 'incurable'.
The site was chosen due to its slight elevation, enabling patients within their specially built structures to make best use of the fresh and temperate air of the climate. The patients were housed in 'the cottage system, of wood with canvas cover, to preserve an equal temperature, and all the appointments will be up to-date, so that patients may have the best treatment which modern science can command.'
(The Broadford Courier and Reedy Creek Times 10th Feb 1905)
As with all disease in the colonial years of our country, Tuberculosis, known then as 'Consumption', was greatly feared. At first, in the earliest years of settlement, families would be put into quarantine, limiting contact with others and hoping to stop the disease.
Soon a new method of dealing with the disease was introduced into the country, removal of the infected person to be placed into a sanatorium.
In 1905 the government set aside a large tract of land in Broadmeadows Victoria, for the building of a sanatorium for consumptives. The sanatorium was to accommodate those with the illness from its very first stages, through to those deemed 'incurable'.
The site was chosen due to its slight elevation, enabling patients within their specially built structures to make best use of the fresh and temperate air of the climate. The patients were housed in 'the cottage system, of wood with canvas cover, to preserve an equal temperature, and all the appointments will be up to-date, so that patients may have the best treatment which modern science can command.'
(The Broadford Courier and Reedy Creek Times 10th Feb 1905)
History of Treatment
Tuberculosis Hut. On the 10th of May, 1905, the Broadmeadows Sanatorium opened with little fanfare. A little later in the year, a parliamentary party went out to the site, to see the measures for the treatment of patients.
They seemed very pleased that all forms of treatment were available to patients, regardless of how far the disease had progressed, and that the whole operation was carried out with military precision.
The Sanatorium grew over the years, with more accommodation being built, and the older timber framed 'tents' being demolished. On the 29th of March 1950 a massive new section of the sanatorium was built.
They seemed very pleased that all forms of treatment were available to patients, regardless of how far the disease had progressed, and that the whole operation was carried out with military precision.
The Sanatorium grew over the years, with more accommodation being built, and the older timber framed 'tents' being demolished. On the 29th of March 1950 a massive new section of the sanatorium was built.
The 'Boomerang'. The four storied, boomerang shaped structure could take 142 beds, which increased the now named Greenvale Sanatorium to 238 patients.
Soon after the new structure was built, the treatment and containment of tuberculosis meant patient numbers were dwindling. Other state sanatoria could handle the load, and in the mid 50's Greenvale was converted into use as a home for the elderly.
Since then it has changed names many times, yet maintained the Greenvale moniker until 1991, when it became known as the North West Hospital, part of the North Western Health Care Network. Greenvale finally closed its doors in 1998, with 93 years of history behind it. The empty structure stood until it was demolished in 2010-2011.
Soon after the new structure was built, the treatment and containment of tuberculosis meant patient numbers were dwindling. Other state sanatoria could handle the load, and in the mid 50's Greenvale was converted into use as a home for the elderly.
Since then it has changed names many times, yet maintained the Greenvale moniker until 1991, when it became known as the North West Hospital, part of the North Western Health Care Network. Greenvale finally closed its doors in 1998, with 93 years of history behind it. The empty structure stood until it was demolished in 2010-2011.
Greenvale Abandoned
Abandoned and falling into ruin. During the time it was in disuse and empty more than a few urban explorers, and people looking for ghosts entered the abandoned structure. The ghosts of past patients are said to have haunted the building, and may still haunt the empty plot.
Due to the nature of Tuberculosis, thousands must have died at this sanatorium, and these numbers, added to the number of deaths of the elderly during its later use, would possibly be cause for a haunting or two.
People have experienced missing time there, 'symptoms' of TB and most frightening of all seeing the spectres of death - shadows amongst the disused buildings, shadows in full daylight where shadows should not be found.
I find it most interesting that the hospital, as a location, is very little talked about. Even though it was demolished surely there are some interesting stories out there. A pity it no longer stands, as it would have made a great place to investigate.
Due to the nature of Tuberculosis, thousands must have died at this sanatorium, and these numbers, added to the number of deaths of the elderly during its later use, would possibly be cause for a haunting or two.
People have experienced missing time there, 'symptoms' of TB and most frightening of all seeing the spectres of death - shadows amongst the disused buildings, shadows in full daylight where shadows should not be found.
I find it most interesting that the hospital, as a location, is very little talked about. Even though it was demolished surely there are some interesting stories out there. A pity it no longer stands, as it would have made a great place to investigate.
Ashley Hall 2013
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