Heritage - Mater
Source: http://www.mater.org.au/about-us/who-we-are/history
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Heritage - Mater
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About us
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Heritage
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Mater's heritage
The Mater story is one of dedication, innovation and the pursuit of excellence.
Our founders, the Sisters of Mercy, opened the first Mater hospital in Queensland in 1906 to provide compassionate care to those in need.
More than a century later, Mater is proud to be continuing their legacy with 11 hospitals delivering high-quality healthcare to people across North, Central and South-East Queensland.
As Queensland has grown and developed over the past 100 years, so too has Mater—and we have made history along the way.
Mater opened Queensland’s first hospital laboratory in the midst of the Spanish flu pandemic in 1919 and established the first pharmacy within
a private hospital in the 1930s.
Mater Mothers’ Hospital opened in 1960 and has cared for generations of Queensland families over the past 60 years. Mater is now Australia’s largest maternity services provider, with more than 12,000 babies born every year.
Our aim to continually improve healthcare and to find new ways of transforming scientific discoveries into the best clinical care led to the
opening of Mater Research in 1999.
Today, Mater Research is a world leading institution, discovering, driving and delivering improved healthcare for Queenslanders. And Mater’s commitment to a strong, sustainable and highly qualified healthcare workforce has grown from the opening of our first nurse training school in 1914 to the creation of Mater Education in 2010, a registered training organisation dedicated to educating and training healthcare workers for tomorrow.
Mater continues to grow and transform to meet the needs and expectations of Queenslanders. We remain committed to our core values of compassion, dignity and integrity, and to the legacy entrusted to us by our founders.
Heritage and Archives Centre
The Mater Heritage and Archives Centre preserves the rich history of Mater, showcasing the dedication of our predecessors and the Sisters of Mercy in serving the community. Located in Brisbane, the Centre focuses on Mater's history in South East Queensland, collecting a diverse range of materials including documents, photographs, equipment, and personal stories.
Through tours, displays, and research assistance, the Centre provides access to this valuable resource, fostering an understanding of Mater's past and its enduring impact on healthcare.
Members of the public can currently visit
by appointment only
.
Level 3, Aubigny Place, Mater Health Services
Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101
Book an appointment
Pre-1900
Pre-1900
Sisters of Mercy arrive in Queensland to begin opening schools.
Read more
1900-1950
1900-1950
The first Mater hospital 'Aubigny' opens in North Quay, before the Sisters and Brisbane's medical community and patients 'cross the river'.
Read more
1951-2000
1951-2000
Mater welcomes its tiniest patients with the opening of the Mater Mothers' Hospital, and Mater’s clinical pursuits expand.
Read more
2001 to now
2001 to now
Mater celebrates a century of exceptional care, and continues to expand to integrate health, education and research for a healthy community.
Read more
Mater would like to acknowledge Helen Gregory, author of Expressions of Mercy. Mater has used information, as appropriate, from this publication to support the creation of this content.
Skip to main navigation
Skip to content
Unsupported browser
The browser you are using to browse this website is outdated and some features may not display properly or be accessible to you. Please use a more recent browser for the best user experience.
Search whole site
Homepage
About us
Who we are
Heritage
Back to Who we are
Mater's heritage
The Mater story is one of dedication, innovation and the pursuit of excellence.
Our founders, the Sisters of Mercy, opened the first Mater hospital in Queensland in 1906 to provide compassionate care to those in need.
More than a century later, Mater is proud to be continuing their legacy with 11 hospitals delivering high-quality healthcare to people across North, Central and South-East Queensland.
As Queensland has grown and developed over the past 100 years, so too has Mater—and we have made history along the way.
Mater opened Queensland’s first hospital laboratory in the midst of the Spanish flu pandemic in 1919 and established the first pharmacy within
a private hospital in the 1930s.
Mater Mothers’ Hospital opened in 1960 and has cared for generations of Queensland families over the past 60 years. Mater is now Australia’s largest maternity services provider, with more than 12,000 babies born every year.
Our aim to continually improve healthcare and to find new ways of transforming scientific discoveries into the best clinical care led to the
opening of Mater Research in 1999.
Today, Mater Research is a world leading institution, discovering, driving and delivering improved healthcare for Queenslanders. And Mater’s commitment to a strong, sustainable and highly qualified healthcare workforce has grown from the opening of our first nurse training school in 1914 to the creation of Mater Education in 2010, a registered training organisation dedicated to educating and training healthcare workers for tomorrow.
Mater continues to grow and transform to meet the needs and expectations of Queenslanders. We remain committed to our core values of compassion, dignity and integrity, and to the legacy entrusted to us by our founders.
Heritage and Archives Centre
The Mater Heritage and Archives Centre preserves the rich history of Mater, showcasing the dedication of our predecessors and the Sisters of Mercy in serving the community. Located in Brisbane, the Centre focuses on Mater's history in South East Queensland, collecting a diverse range of materials including documents, photographs, equipment, and personal stories.
Through tours, displays, and research assistance, the Centre provides access to this valuable resource, fostering an understanding of Mater's past and its enduring impact on healthcare.
Members of the public can currently visit
by appointment only
.
Level 3, Aubigny Place, Mater Health Services
Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101
Book an appointment
Pre-1900
Pre-1900
Sisters of Mercy arrive in Queensland to begin opening schools.
Read more
1900-1950
1900-1950
The first Mater hospital 'Aubigny' opens in North Quay, before the Sisters and Brisbane's medical community and patients 'cross the river'.
Read more
1951-2000
1951-2000
Mater welcomes its tiniest patients with the opening of the Mater Mothers' Hospital, and Mater’s clinical pursuits expand.
Read more
2001 to now
2001 to now
Mater celebrates a century of exceptional care, and continues to expand to integrate health, education and research for a healthy community.
Read more
Mater would like to acknowledge Helen Gregory, author of Expressions of Mercy. Mater has used information, as appropriate, from this publication to support the creation of this content.