RMH historical publications
External Publications
The Ever Open Door - a History of The Royal Melbourne Hospital
by Dr Alan Gregory, 1998
Since 1848, Melbourne's first public hospital has been serving all Victorians. From a 10-bed hospital
for the poor it has grown into a leading provider of health care services and a world-renowned centre for medical research and education.
The Ever Open Door tells the story of this cherished Melbourne institution, which has survived the hardships and severe sanitation problems of the 1800s and the ordeals of boom and depression.
Against the background of the main personalities involved, Alan Gregory's fascinating history traces the developments of this great hospital from its most humble beginnings to the modern day.
Covering the period 1848-1998, with more than 500 pages of text and 100 historical photographs and illustrations, The Ever Open Door captures the special 'spirit of the place' and its rich traditions.
To order a copy, contact the RMH Foundation on telephone (03) 9342 7371 or fax (03) 9342 8407.
Price: $44.00 plus $8.50 postage.
Being There: the story of nursing at the Melbourne Hospital
by Susan Sherson, 2005
Published by the RMH Graduate Nurses' Association
The story starts in the 1840s when Melbourne was a small settlement and funds were raised to provide care for the sick and the poor, and interweaves the theme of nursing with the history of Melbourne and Victoria over more than 150 years.
From its beginnings to the present day, the story of nurses at 'The Melbourne' is a story of Melbourne, of constant social change, of developing professionalism and women's rights, of excellence in nursing care and influence that has spread throughout Australia and abroad.
It is not exaggerating to say that 'Melbourne nurses' have been everywhere and done everything. Some of their extraordinary stories are captured in the book, which also contains an appendix of all nurses who graduated (RMH and MSN) in the formal training years of 1890-1993.
Sue Sherson is an RMH nurse educator, author and ethicist, who trained at the Royal Melbourne. Her book House of Love, documenting the role of the first Australian surgical team to arrive in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, was published in 1966.
To order a copy, contact the RMH Foundation on telephone (03) 9342 7371 or fax (03) 9342 8407.
Price: $49.95 plus $8.50 postage. Includes a copy of the nurses' index. The index can also be purchased separately: email Arlene Bennett or phone 0419 527 273.
Memories Book - The Royal Melbourne Hospital Kiosk Auxiliary Volunteers
by Petrina Dakin, 2010
The Memories Book looks at the 86-year history of the kiosk and its final farewell in 2008. The 40-page book includes a brief history, historical photographs and documents, stories on the five presidents since 1922 and the speeches made at the farewell luncheon.
Most importantly, it contains the memories of kiosk volunteers, reflecting on their experiences whether at the counter or cash register or buying stock, the friendships they made, and the support they gave to patients, visitors and staff, and to each other.
The Memories Book is available online only -
download the Memories Book - The Royal Melbourne Hospital Kiosk Auxiliary Volunteers
 Against the Odds: Albert Coates - a Heroic Life
by Walter Gherardin, 2009
Published by the Albert Coates Memorial Trust
This is the most comprehensive biography produced on the RMH surgeon, renowned educator and medical hero on the Burma-Siam railway in World War II, and fills a gap in our knowledge of the life and thought of
Sir Albert Coates (1895 - 1977).
To obtain a copy, send $AUS25 plus $AUS8 postage to Albert Coates Memorial Trust, P.O. Box 2478, Bakery Hill, Victoria, Australia 3354. A tax deductible receipt will be issued. Proceeds aid the Trust's annual student educational awards.
Patients in Melbourne Hospital 1856-1905 index - CD
Genealogical Society of Victoria, 2010
Indexed information from 451 Melbourne Hospital ward books from period 1856-1905, created by volunteers at the Genealogical Society of Victoria. The project is a close collaboration between GSV, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Public Records Office Victoria (PROV). The index provides a wealth of information for genealogists, medical researchers and social historians. Note: some restrictions on access to medical information - see media release.
To purchase a copy of the Melbourne Hospital index ($80 or $72 GSV members), contact the GSV on
9662 4455, email gsv@gsv.org.au or visit www.gsv.org.au.
Media release: Governor launches Patients in Melbourne Hospital 1856-1905 index (CD - 2010). | 
