2022 is an exciting year for St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba as we celebrate our centenary. After 2 years of planning and construction, on the 19th of November 1922, the hospital was officially opened with a gala ball and huge community gathering.

St Vincent’s Toowoomba was established by the Sisters of Charity, who had one goal in mind- to build a hospital for the community. The qualities of inclusion and compassion have been a hallmark of St Vincent’s since 1922.

"This hospital is going to receive the sick and afflicted, quite regardless of class, and quite regardless of creed." 

- Dr Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne, 1922

In the early days, financial pressure was so dire that building almost stopped. However, through community support with fundraising events and donations of money, goods and labour, construction was completed. It is interesting to note that several of the workers on that very first building site made donations to the Toowoomba St Vincent’s Building Fund to ensure its completion. 

Education and training have always been vital at St Vincent’s Toowoomba. Formal training of nurses in the hospital was replaced by university-based training in 1992. Nowadays, they offer clinical placement to allied health staff, supervision of medical students, and online training for pastoral care practitioners.

St Vincent’s was built by the generosity of the Darling Downs community. People gave large and small donations to bring the hospital to life. While times were tough as they found their feet, the community support never went away. During these hard times, local farmers would donate ‘in kind’ with eggs, milk, butter, and grain from their fields. Today the generosity and

support of the community continues, with fundraising and donations from the public, community groups, staff, and the St Vincent’s Cancer Care Committee.

There are several events planned throughout 2022 to celebrate and commemorate the history of St Vincent’s Hospital. We are thankful to the Sisters of Charity and the Darling Downs community, for their courage and vision all those years ago. Today, they are the region’s largest private hospital and proud to continue a strong tradition of providing quality patient care.