'A Private World on a Nameless Bay' was originally published in 2000, this second edition of the history of Morisset Hospital contains updated information, more photographs and further details on Ward 21 and Ward 22, the original wards for the criminally insane. Site plans included in this edition show locations of all 22 wards, Kestrel Unit, staff accommodation, kitchens, laundries, farm areas, piggery, dairy, vegetable and flower gardens, therapy areas, sports and recreation areas,...
More Description'A Private World on a Nameless Bay' was originally published in 2000, this second edition of the history of Morisset Hospital contains updated information, more photographs and further details on Ward 21 and Ward 22, the original wards for the criminally insane. Site plans included in this edition show locations of all 22 wards, Kestrel Unit, staff accommodation, kitchens, laundries, farm areas, piggery, dairy, vegetable and flower gardens, therapy areas, sports and recreation areas, Recreation Hall, canteen, store, garage, etc. and the hospital's much loved War Memorial Chapel.In its early days, due to the location of Morisset Hospital, most staff came from the surrounding area and knew one another well. This ultimately created an unparalleled camaraderie with a workforce that, at all levels, had the welfare of patients as a core value. Morisset Hospital was a special community within the community of the Southlake region of Lake Macquarie. Staff seemed to consider the hospital more as an extension of family with patients more like friends. Patients were treated by staff in the same way as staff would want their own family member treated, had they been unfortunate enough to be suffering a mental illness. Perhaps in those earlier years workers didn't recognise the exceptional culture of their workplace. For decades that was simply the way it was.The story of Morisset Hospital is unique. Many locals spent their entire working lives at Morisset Hospital, many have a rich family history of generations working there. In later years, there were staff who succumbed to mental illness and spent their last days as patients in Morisset Hospital, being cared for by former colleagues. Towards the end of this edition, the sad story of Bill Denby, who was admitted to Morisset Hospital, aged 22, in 1909, raises the question, "Had Bill not had such a tough childhood, would he have ever been admitted to a mental institution at all?"Until we acknowledge and accept that mental illness can affect any one of us at any time in our lives, the associated stigma of mental illness will continue. We can change that.