By TANIA PHILLIPS
THE Kyoomba Sanatorium project is up and running with the first edition of a broadsheet and the launch of a website on Anzac Day.
The Kyoomba RSL Project is an initiative of the Stanthorpe Sub Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch) and coincides with the Anzac Centenary.
During World War I many military personnel serving overseas were wounded or suffered from disease and were repatriated back to Australia for medical treatment and convalescence.
Some facilities such as the one at Kyoomba near Stanthorpe served specific purposes.
For Kyoomba it was for the treatment of tuberculosis and lung damage caused by German gas in WWI.
Project researcher Deborah Wheeler said there had been a number of new leads since the launch.
“It is wonderful that we have been able to identify family members from some of the names that came to light in my initial research,” Ms Wheeler said.
“What is needed now is for individuals to contact me with information about family members who were sent to Kyoomba to recuperate during the period 1917 until 1934 when the sanatorium closed its doors to patients for the last time.
Two new names on my list are Francis Nathaniel Day and Maud Emily Victoria Bassett.” Another exciting part of the project has been with the identification of the building on the corner of Short and Connor Streets as definitely one of the old Sanatorium buildings.
The plans for the Stanthorpe Drill Hall – removed from Kyoomba and re-erected with improvements, was found in a search of the National Archives of Australia.
“I have been told of another two former buildings from the site that are still around the district,” she said.
“I would really like to hear from family members of the late Mrs Allison and Mrs CF White.
“These two women played a significant role at the Kyoomba Sanatorium and their involvement is a pivotal part of this story.”
