On 2 February 1911, Mater Public Hospital opened at South Brisbane with construction and fit-out of the 40-bed facility funded by proceeds from fee-paying private hospital patients and tremendous community fundraising efforts.
The women’s wards were furnished by an anonymous donor and Brisbane’s jockeys and horse trainers furnished the men’s surgical ward.
In its first ten years, Mater attracted many of Brisbane’s most distinguished doctors who volunteered to serve at the public hospital.
Mater Public Hospital remained in operation until 1981 when the new Mater Adult Hospital was opened.
A great deal had been accomplished since the opening of the small hospital in Aubigny little more than five years earlier.
Mater Private Hospital was a great success and the Sisters’ desire to support the poor and afflicted had become a reality.
Like the Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane’s medical community and patients had "crossed the river."