Cooinda photo sparks memories

Eileen Sparks has provided further insight into Cooinda Private Hospital, following the building’s feature in a recent ‘snapshot of the past’ column.

Mrs Sparkes has uncovered her birth notice from April 12, 1942. Delivered by Dr Trumpy, Eileen and her mother of Poowong North were in hospital for two weeks.

The notice also details related expenses, including nine pound (then called guineas), nine shilling. Theatre expenses were one pound, one shilling while extras also totalled 1 pound, one shilling for a total bill of 11 pound, 11 shilling.

Many locals aged 65 and older would have been born at Cooinda, a private hospital for maternity cases until West Gippsland Hospital began its midwifery section in the 1940s.

Cooinda Private Hospital was built by Dr David Trumpy and his wife in 1911.

Dr Trumpy, who emigrated to Australia in 1888, moved to Warragul after buying Dr Cobb’s practice, which covered an immense area. To administer his patients, Dr Trumpy travelled largely on horseback and was superintendent at Warragul hospital.

Dr Trumpy ran Cooinda with his wife until the early 1930s, when responsibility was gradually passed to his son Oswald ‘Boy’ Trumpy and his wife Barbara, who was a trained nurse.

The site was previously an orchard and is now Canton Chinese Restaurant.

This photograph taken in the early 1950s shows Lawsons Central Radio in Smith St, Warragul.

The business was owned by Ivan Lawson. It was previously the home of the Warragul Fire Brigade before they moved further up Smith St. Today it is Nichos Sports Store.

Mr Lawson built the new shop which backed on to the Regent Theatre complex. The shop was later extended to two storey.

The delivery vehicles are parked at the front of the business. As well as radios it sold other electrical goods such was washing machines.

On the northern side of the shop was Bloomfield Stores.

The area was later developed as the Regent Court Arcade, now known as Plaza arcade.

Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul Historical Society.

If you have any additional information about this photo, contact The Gazette on 5623 5666 or editorial@warragulgazette.com.au