Health service manager Cate Hollis said the day was a great success.

“There was fine weather and everyone really enjoyed themselves,” she said.

“Some of the crowd included past and present staff, community people and descendants from Mr [William Arlington] Wilson, who the hospital is named after.”

The foundation stone was laid in 1916 but, due to the drain on manpower and resources caused by the war in Europe, it would be another three years before the building was finished. 

However, once the doors opened, it became a welcome addition to what was a thriving and quickly growing rural community.