Early beginnings

Mary Aikenhead founded the Sisters of Charity order in 1815 and one of her dreams was to open a hospital for the sick poor, to enable her Sisters to carry out their care and compassion for God's people.  This dream was realised in 1834 when she opened St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.  The hospital was named after St Vincent de Paul, patron Saint of the poor.  St Vincent's was the first hospital staffed by religious Sisters in the English speaking world.  Mother Mary Aikenhead was determined to ensure a high level of care and management practices were adopted within the hospital and sent three Sisters to study nursing and hospital administration in Paris, prior to its opening. (Blake,2001)

Early Work

In 1838 five Sisters of Charity arrived in Australia aboard the 'Francis Spaight' at the request of Bishop John Polding to Mary Aikenhead ....  They were the first Religious Institute of women to arrive in the new colony.

These five Sisters demonstrated resilience, strong leadership and a continuing commitment to the poor and disadvantaged.  They were to become a regular sight around Parramatta and Sydney, visiting female prisons, women's hospital, orphanages and the poor and sick while also giving religious instruction. 

First Hospital Opened

One of the goals of this courageous group of pioneering Sisters was to open up their own hospital.  With the support and generosity of many citizens of NSW the Sisters bought "Tarmons" a property in Potts Point, Sydney in 1856.  This mansion was to house the first Catholic hospital in Australia, St Vincent's Hospital opened on the 25th August 1857.  Three of the founding Sisters were those trained earlier in France and brought their knowledge to the colony.  The hospital delivered free health care services to residents who were poor.  This hospital developed rapidly and was relocated to Darlinghurst in 1870 where it is now a central feature of the health care capus.

Growing Demand for Services

It was in 1920 that the Sisters with the support of Archbishop Duhig decided to establish a Catholic hospital in Toowoomba. The Sisters purchased the current site and set about to raise funds for the building of the hospital, the foundation stone was laid 22 May 1921 by Archbishop Duhig and the hospital was opened in November 1922.

The Love of Christ Impels Us

"Caritas Christi Urget Nos - The Love of Christ Impels Us" 2 Cor 5:14. This is the motto of the Sisters of Charity which continues to inspire their work through the values of compassion, dignity, justice and unity.