Bob Banyard , Gardener 1960 -1970 by Jean Banyard
Robert ( Bob ) Banyard was 28 years old when he was appointed head gardener in 1960 . It was quite a challenge to start with as he was so young . His staff comprised of five or six men many of whom were very much his senior , but his very pleasant manor soon had them working very happily together .
Some of the trees planted during Bob ’ s time are still in the grounds today . Unfortunately the beautiful flower beds don ’ t exist anymore but I ’ m sure they are remembered by many .
His daughter Heather worked as a nurse from 1977-1987 and was in the second-to-last group of nurses to be trained at the hospital . In 1977 nurses ’ pay was less than $ 100 a fortnight , with $ 8 a week going to food and lodgings at the Nurses ’ Home . The matrons were well renowned as ‘ tough as old boots ’ but Heather tells of plenty of shenanigans that still went on ; in Ward 9 ( ENT Ward ) all House Officers leaving the hospital got dunked in a cold bath of ice and water , and were ‘ warmed up ’ afterwards with a parting muffin loaded with Senacot ( laxative ) and hot tea laced with diuretics .
At Christmas time there were no artificial Christmas trees instead the gardening staff went into the country side to find them on the side of the roads . The ward staff were always on the look out for the best shapes . It was much more a family atmosphere in those days before the hospital got so big .
Bob also became well known for the beautiful floral arrangements he created in the main entrance to encourage patients and visitors to exercise and view them , which they did . He worked with the architect on the plans for the roof garden but left before it was completed . Bob died in September 2013 .
Joe Boyle , Foreman , Beazleys 1940 ’ s by Trish Simpson
In the 1940 ’ s my father Joe Boyle , as foreman for Fred Beazley Builders , carried out building work at the hospital . I believe Tauranga Hospital historical records will show that Beazleys had the contract for building the Children ’ s Ward where I was later to spend more time than I would have liked as a child with asthma . This photo shows the construction of the hospital chimney during that time with my father Joe in the foreground .
Three Generations at Tauranga Hospital by Megan Stewart
The Fergus family have certainly cemented their roots in Tauranga Hospital , with four members from three generations working at the hospital since 1960 to today .
Retired Doctor Basil Fergus on his 88th birthday with his daughter Heather and granddaughter Megan ; all have worked at Tauranga Hospital at some stage since 1960 .
Daughter-in-law Judy Fergus started as a nurse in 1969 and after a training break , returned as a midwife in 1977 . Still in the Maternity Unit today , she just can ’ t tear herself away from this place . And finally , Basil ’ s granddaughter , Megan Stewart , has been nursing at the hospital for seven years now and is still thoroughly enjoying her time in the Emergency Department . The shenanigans may not be as obvious in 2014 , but Megan insists the camaraderie between colleagues is still second to none - Tauranga Hospital remains an amazing and innovative place to work just as the generations before her have seen .
Modelling the Hospital Carpet by Trish Simpson
In the late 1980 ’ s Tauranga Hospital staged a Revue ( not for the first time ) and I was asked to take part with the Ward 7 staff . This was a lot of fun with surgeons doing a tummy-whistling act , house officers performing the ballet ‘ The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ’, and Ward 7 modelling dresses made from carpet remnants . This was just after carpet had been fitted in the hospital corridors amidst much discussion as to whether it was a good idea or not .
In 1960 Dr Basil Fergus migrated from South Africa to what was a small town hospital at that time . While he was at the hospital covering the doctors who went away during the Vietnam War , Basil became the founding anaesthetist for the team that started both the Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Department . Although it only started with two beds in a small room at the back of the Theatre , the ICU was only the second in New Zealand at the time , after Auckland .
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