Agency
McCulloch House (previously known as Melbourne Convalescent Home for Women 1874 - 1886, Oakleigh Convalescent Home for Women 1886 - 1889, Melbourne Convalescent Home for Women 1889 - 1969)
VA 5292
1874 - present
In 1874, a small four-roomed home in Kew owned by Margaret McCulloch (wife of Sir James McCulloch, Premier of Victoria), furnished it to operate as a convalescent home. The house was then known as the Melbourne Convalescent Home for Women.
In 1886, the convalescent home moved to larger premises in Oakleigh and was renamed the Oakleigh Convalescent Home for Women. The home was no longer operated by McCulloch as she had returned to England by this time. The Oakleigh house was officially opened by Lady Loch (wife of Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Loch) on 18 May 1886 on an 11 acre block of land on Drummond Street.
The Oakleigh facility was later deemed too small by the Home’s Committee, who decided to sell it and build a larger building on 20 acres of land that was purchased on what was then known as Clayton’s Road. Lady Loch laid the foundation stone on 21 November 1888. By 17 September 1889 the first patients had moved into the new home. On 1 November 1889 the Governor officially opened the home and it resumed its original name of the Melbourne Convalescent Home for Women.
The initial by-laws of the Home stated that the objective of the Institution was to afford relief to such women and children not under the age of twelve, as the Committee considered fit subjects for reception irrespective of religious belief and country of birth. The Committee was to consist of not less than fourteen members with five members to form a quorum. The Committee was to conduct the general business of the Home and to appoint the Matron. It was the Matron’s responsibility to have control of the domestic arrangements of the Home, including the comfort and well-being of the patients. Two auxiliaries were formed in 1926; one covered the Oakleigh and Murrumbeena areas; the other covered Clayton. Both auxiliary groups were later replaced by the McCulloch House Auxiliary.
In 1952, the status of the home was changed from public to private. Accompanying the change was an increase in charges in both private and public beds. In 1959, new extensions were finished to accommodate patients from the Mount Royal Geriatric Clinic (VA 1280). This work was the result of a Public Appeal made in 1956.
On 20 November 1969 the name of the home was changed to McCulloch House. The intention was to honour Lady McCulloch but also to incorporate future facilities for male patients. The Home was not being used as a convalescent home at that time and plans indicated that it was to become a geriatric rehabilitation hospital. Male patients were first admitted to McCulloch House in 1979.
It was announced in 1977 that McCulloch House would amalgamate with the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital to become Queen Victoria Medical Centre (VA 1254). The amalgamation occurred on 1 July 1977. The Committee of Management became known as the McCulloch House Advisory Committee and tabled a report to the full Board of Management each month.
The House's function as a nursing home ceased in 1992. As of November 2023, it functions as a supportive and palliative care unit of Monash Health (VA 5264).
In 1886, the convalescent home moved to larger premises in Oakleigh and was renamed the Oakleigh Convalescent Home for Women. The home was no longer operated by McCulloch as she had returned to England by this time. The Oakleigh house was officially opened by Lady Loch (wife of Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Loch) on 18 May 1886 on an 11 acre block of land on Drummond Street.
The Oakleigh facility was later deemed too small by the Home’s Committee, who decided to sell it and build a larger building on 20 acres of land that was purchased on what was then known as Clayton’s Road. Lady Loch laid the foundation stone on 21 November 1888. By 17 September 1889 the first patients had moved into the new home. On 1 November 1889 the Governor officially opened the home and it resumed its original name of the Melbourne Convalescent Home for Women.
The initial by-laws of the Home stated that the objective of the Institution was to afford relief to such women and children not under the age of twelve, as the Committee considered fit subjects for reception irrespective of religious belief and country of birth. The Committee was to consist of not less than fourteen members with five members to form a quorum. The Committee was to conduct the general business of the Home and to appoint the Matron. It was the Matron’s responsibility to have control of the domestic arrangements of the Home, including the comfort and well-being of the patients. Two auxiliaries were formed in 1926; one covered the Oakleigh and Murrumbeena areas; the other covered Clayton. Both auxiliary groups were later replaced by the McCulloch House Auxiliary.
In 1952, the status of the home was changed from public to private. Accompanying the change was an increase in charges in both private and public beds. In 1959, new extensions were finished to accommodate patients from the Mount Royal Geriatric Clinic (VA 1280). This work was the result of a Public Appeal made in 1956.
On 20 November 1969 the name of the home was changed to McCulloch House. The intention was to honour Lady McCulloch but also to incorporate future facilities for male patients. The Home was not being used as a convalescent home at that time and plans indicated that it was to become a geriatric rehabilitation hospital. Male patients were first admitted to McCulloch House in 1979.
It was announced in 1977 that McCulloch House would amalgamate with the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital to become Queen Victoria Medical Centre (VA 1254). The amalgamation occurred on 1 July 1977. The Committee of Management became known as the McCulloch House Advisory Committee and tabled a report to the full Board of Management each month.
The House's function as a nursing home ceased in 1992. As of November 2023, it functions as a supportive and palliative care unit of Monash Health (VA 5264).
Jurisdiction: Victoria
