Stories From The Perth Children's Hospital (1930 - 1950).
The Perth Children's Hospital was built in 1909 on the corner of Hay and Thomas Street, Subiaco after many years of fundraising and lobbying by the Western Australian government and community. The original facilities included 40 beds, an operating theatre and outpatient department. Over the years the work at the hospital was made possible by a range of devoted staff including nurses, sisters, doctors, specialists and volunteers. 
The children and young people who were admitted were in various stages of illness or accidents and convalescence. Each child and young person had their own story. Some of those stories can be found in the pages of Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. The newspapers share inspiring stories about children and young people with terrible illnesses and accidents, some close to dying. Many children and young people spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital, sometimes years. Many made remarkable recoveries with the aid of their self-determination, the staff at the hospital and their families and the community.
Trove shares many stories of children and young people close to death who received life saving surgery and specialised extended care and survived. In 1933, a four year boy was admitted with diphtheria and was close to dying. A surgeon perform a tracheotomy and inserted a silver tube in his throat. The operation saved his life and his ability to speak slowly returned (Western Mail, 20 July 1933).
In 1936, Charles a 12 year old boy was admitted to the hospital after breaking his neck while diving. "Completely paralysed Charles remained in this critical state for a fortnight. Then he was given some manipulative surgical treatment. Within a few days there was definite improvement, he began to use his hands and feet. The treatment was repeated, and today with a plaster cage over his neck and shoulders he is able to walk about...the case illustrates the remarkable feats possible in manipulative surgery..." (Daily News, 28 February 1936).
Charles
In 1937 Violet who was 5 1/2 was in the Children's Hospital because of infantile paralysis and unable to move. After being a patient there for several months she took her first steps on the lawn outside (Daily News, 24 April 1937).
Violet
Many children and young people were in the hospital for extended periods of time, sometimes years receiving specialised care after an illness or accident. They spend time away from their families, friends and school confined to hospital beds. Despite their confinement children and young people continued to achieve success beyond what was expected.
In 1948 a young person Walter, aged 12 who had grown up and confined to a frame because of a tubular hip since he was 3 years old. He was now able to sit up for the first time in seven years. "Walter told how his excitement had been growing since the time he was put into the plaster, when he knew that his long term of 'imprisonment' was nearing its end. He was operated on, X rayed, then last week was taken off the frame and put into a bed free of apparatus and things. Walter has been one of the star pupils of the hospital school and recently has been doing seventh standard correspondence work. He hopes to sit for his Junior in two years time..." (Daily News, 8 September 1948).
Walter
In 1946, Leslie a patient in the hospital for three years sat his Junior Examination lying on his back (lying on back with his legs in splints) in a hospital ward. Leslie wanted to be an accountant. In January 1947, the Daily News reported that Leslie had passed all his subjects in the Junior Examination and was allowed to go home the following week (Daily News,18 January 1947). There were other unusual entrants in the Junior Examination Certificate in 1946 who were in hospitals or at home. A young person had applied to take the Junior Examination including one in the Aboriginal hospital at Port Hedland and another who was disabled and was sitting their exam at home (Daily News, 13 September 1946).
Leslie
All children regardless of their cultural backgrounds were admitted and received specialised treatment. In 1946 two Indigenous Australian children, June aged 9 and Donald aged 4 from Forrest River Mission who had pneumonia travelled south by ship to recuperate. The Indigenous Australian children admitted faced many challenges such language as they were only able speak in their own dialect. The article describes how they were able to make friends with the other children in the ward. The Department of Native Affairs praised the hospital for the care provided to all the Indigenous Australian children admitted, and covered the cost and provided outpatient care (Daily News, 14 June 1946).
June and Donald
