The first stage of the project, restoring the heritage-listed Medical Superintendent’s House, was made possible by a $1.16 million grant from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, with crucial support from Darling Downs Health. Once a neglected relic, the beautifully restored building is now the cornerstone of a growing museum precinct, set to showcase over 3,000 healthcare artefacts and offer educational programs for all ages.
“It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come,” said Alison Kennedy, CEO of the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation. “Not too long ago, this building looked like it was going to fall apart. Now, it’s almost unrecognisable — it’s a space the community can be proud of.”
But Kennedy is quick to emphasise that this is only the beginning.
A Vision of Expansion
The foundation’s vision for the Museum of Health extends far beyond preserving artefacts. Stages 2 and 3 aim to develop new infrastructure that will turn the museum into a destination for locals and tourists alike. Plans include the addition of a café, a gift shop, and a gallery space with rotating exhibitions to offer a fully immersive experience.
“Stages 2 and 3 are key to the Museum,” Kennedy explained. “The café, outdoor spaces, and gallery are essential to creating a vibrant, welcoming place where the community can engage with our healthcare history.” The Foundation is calling on the public to help make this vision a reality. Whether through large donations or purchasing commemorative pavers — etched with the names of individuals, families, or businesses — every contribution is an investment in preserving Toowoomba’s cultural fabric.
Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm, hailed the restoration project as a triumph of community-driven efforts. “This is going to be a tremendous asset for the local community,” Chisholm said, “[The team] has done an outstanding job protecting the heritage but modernising at the same time, so congratulations on their care and effort in achieving such a result.”
Building the Future Together
The completion of Stages 2 and 3 will depend on both public donations and ongoing grant funding, a process the Foundation’s team is working tirelessly to secure. By supporting this project, donors will be helping to create a space where the past is honoured, the present is celebrated, and the future of healthcare is envisioned.
“Every paver purchased, every dollar raised will help us finish this incredible facility and open it for the enjoyment of our entire community,” Kennedy urged.
Leave a lasting legacy with a commemorative paver
A Space for Reflection and Education
What sets the Museum of Health apart from other regional museums is its dual focus on both preservation and education. Once complete, the museum will offer programs for local schools, community groups, and healthcare professionals, providing a space where the region’s medical history is not only remembered but actively taught to future generations.
“Our health history does a lot for the culture of our community, for our sense of pride in where we’ve come from, how well we’ve developed but importantly I think it future proofs us,” said Denis Lennox, Chair of the Museum of Health Committee, “if we don’t know where we’ve come from, we aren’t best able to track the pathway forward.”
For Toowoomba, the museum represents an opportunity to solidify its place on the cultural map of Australia.
A Collaborative Effort
The success of the Museum of Health project would not have been possible without the continued partnership and support from Darling Downs Health and the integral contribution of the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund. The grant has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and we are deeply grateful for the government’s commitment to regional development and healthcare education.
Darling Downs Health has been a key partner in preserving the region’s medical heritage. Their dedication, alongside the guidance from the Darling Downs Health Board, led by Chair Dr. Dennis Campbell, with members Dr. Ross Hetherington, Trish Leddington-Hill, Marie Pietsch, Professor Julie Cotter, Professor Maree Toombs, Dr. Stephen Harrop, and Terrence Kehoe, has been invaluable throughout the project.
The Darling Downs Health Executive Team has also played a pivotal role in ensuring the project's success. This dedicated team, including Chief Executive Annette Scott, Executive Director Mental Health Greg Neilson, Executive Director Queensland Rural Medical Service Dr. Hwee Sin Chong, Executive Director Medical Services Dr. Liam Flynn, Executive Director Rural Dr. Christopher Cowling, Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services Andrea Nagle, Acting Executive Director Transformation Analytics and Governance Louise Van Every, Chief Finance Officer Jane Ranger, Acting Executive Director Infrastructure Dave Pugsley, Executive Director Workforce Kylie Pippos, Acting Executive Director Allied Health Andrew Day, and Executive Director Toowoomba Hospital Rachel Phillips, has been a driving force behind this initiative.
Their collective efforts, alongside the support from the Australian Government, ensure that the museum will not only stand as a testament to the region’s medical history but also serve as a beacon for future healthcare innovation in Toowoomba and beyond.
Looking Ahead
The Museum of Health is more than a collection of artifacts. It is a living history, a place where the stories of the past merge with the hopes for the future. It is a space that will educate, engage, and inspire.
The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation is working tirelessly to secure the remaining funding for Stages 2 and 3 through a combination of public donations and government grants. Kennedy remains optimistic: “We’re determined to complete this incredible facility and open it for the enjoyment and education of our community.”
Learn how you can support the Museum of Health's next stage
