Edith Cavell and Lady Lamington Buildings

The Lady Lamington and Edith Cavell buildings were constructed as on-site accommodation for nurses. Edith Cavell was constructed in 1922 and Lady Lamington in five stages from 1896 to 1939, accommodating over 400 nurses.
From the establishment of the Hospital in 1867, the on-site accommodation of nurses was seen as an integral part of both hospital efficiency and the propagation and maintenance of the nursing code. The nurses moved out in the late 1980s when university education was introduced for nurses.
Lady Lamington now houses student accommodation in all five wings. It features two internal sub-tropical courtyards, based on historical plantings, which were very important places for the nurses. There are also rooms that have been restored to how they were in 1896 and large historical photographs of the nurses on the wall of the new entry. The new entry was designed to be contemporary and subservient to the heritage buildings.
Edith Cavell is currently commercial tenancies, including Australian Unity that are developing the precinct. In the entry you will notice the original coloured concrete flooring and honour board and original staircase. At the rear is grassed courtyard where the nurses’ swimming pool was located.
The award-winning landscape design for the precinct connects the building with the new public spaces.