Next month marks 20 years since the Royal Newcastle Hospital closed and moved to the John Hunter Hospital site at New Lambton. Opened in 1817 as a convict hospital by Commandant James Wallis, it was the oldest hospital in Australia still on its original site when it relocated in 2006.
Over its history, the hospital also included William Lyne Hospital at Waratah and Rankin Park Hospital. The John Hunter Hospital opened at New Lambton in 1991. After closure, only the 1914 North Wing was retained and converted into apartments, while the rest of the site now features six high-rise apartment buildings.
Many Novocastrians remember the Royal Newcastle Hospital, having been born there or treated as patients. A photographic timeline on the wall near the restaurants between King Street and Newcastle beach preserves memories of the site.
In other news, a letter writer suggests a practical rail and road system for the Hunter region, including rail loops to Newcastle Airport from the city and Maitland/Cessnock, arguing it would benefit daily transport needs more than a proposed fast train.
Another letter advocates for reintroducing teacher scholarships to encourage students into teaching, noting that such a scholarship led to a 40-year teaching career. The writer suggests a similar model could attract general practitioners, with a rural work bond.
On electric vehicles, a correspondent criticises Premier Chris Minns' suggestion to tax EVs early, arguing it sends the wrong signal as EV sales remain low. The writer proposes a fair levy based on weight, distance and emissions, not targeting only EV owners, while noting large corporations still receive fossil-fuel concessions.
