On 30 April 1952, Mater signed a contract to build a mothers’ hospital. Financial circumstances dictated that it was a cost-plus contract, with the shell of the building to be completed first and each storey outfitted as funds became available. The brick shell slowly rose in a prominent position facing Stanley Street, South Brisbane.
Fundraising continued for Mater Mother’s Hospital through tickets in the first Mater Home Art Union in 1954.
The first prize was a two-bedroom fibro house in Surfers Paradise valued at £4,150.
By 1955, more than £800,000 had been raised to support the construction of Mater Mothers' Hospital, however, building costs had skyrocketed and £1,650,000 was now needed to bring the new maternity facility to life.
Fourteen years after the plans were initially developed, Mater Mothers' Hospital opened on 1 December 1960. The hospital offered 70 public and 70 private beds, accommodation for 100 resident staff and physiotherapy, pathology and x-ray departments. The modern facility was designed to capture breezes and to allow sweeping views of the city from the balconies. It was warmly greeted by the public and press.
Mater's clinical pursuits expand
In 1949, Mater was recognised as a teaching hospital for doctors and became a clinical school for The University of Queensland's new Faculty of Medicine.
Four years later in 1953, Queensland’s first Eye Bank for corneal transplants opened at Mater, and the following year, Queensland's first neurosurgical unit was established by Dr Geoff Toakley, who was recognised as a Queensland pioneer in his field. Dr Toakley worked at Mater for 44 years as an honorary surgeon while maintaining a busy private practice.