History

The Castlemaine District Hospital began operation on May 24, 1853, less than two years after the discovery of gold at Mount Alexander in central Victoria.

The small wooden building in Gingell Street was rapidly upgraded to a substantial brick building which included two additional wings.

On July 4, 1860 the Castlemaine Benevolent Asylum opened its doors at the top of Cornish Street to provide a refuge for deserted wives and children of the gold rush era.

By the early 1900s the focus of the institution had turned to the care of the frail, aged and disabled members of the community.  Five hostels were opened on the site by 1963 and in the 1970s, under the new name of Alexander, the home and hospital for the aged lead the medical field in developing an innovative aged care assessment and rehabilitation program.

Meanwhile the hospital site and buildings in Gingell Street were deemed inadequate and in 1939 the hospital was relocated to new buildings in Halford Street.

In 1986 Alexander amalgamated with the Castlemaine District Community Hospital to become the Mt Alexander Hospital.  All services and facilities were consolidated on the Cornish Street site in 1995.

Mt Alexander Hospital was renamed Castlemaine Health in 2009.  Today a wide range of health and support services and residential care accommodation is provided in a highly professional environment to meet the health needs of all ages in central Victoria.