The private hospital remained at North Quay for almost five years. In keeping with their vision to provide public healthcare, construction commenced on two brand new Mater hospitals on 10 acres of land purchased by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893. The site, now called Mater Hill, is located south of the river and overlooks South Brisbane and Woolloongabba.
Building the Mater Private and Mater Public Hospitals was only one challenge faced by the Sisters. The other was gaining support from the medical fraternity and attracting private patients. Many believed that doctors would never ‘cross the river’ to treat patients in the new hospital—a theory that was quickly dismissed once the new hospitals opened.
The ‘Telegraph’ reported in March 1907 that ‘rumours’ had been circulating for weeks that a new hospital was being built on a hill ‘facing the cool summer breezes, and protected by the rising hill behind from the westerly winds’. The reference to the perfect Brisbane aspect is likely to have been no chance remark, but carefully placed to help overcome the reluctance of doctors and patients to venture to the southern side of the river.
Quality was the keynote. The plans were in the experienced hands of the Brisbane architectural firm, Hall and Dods, architects of the Lady Lamington Nurses’ Home at the Brisbane General Hospital (now Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital). Mater Private Hospital was to be a three-storied brick building with verandahs on all sides. Many elements of the design were characteristic of Robin Dods, one of the most distinguished Australian architects of his generation.
Cardinal Moran of Sydney laid Mater Private Hospital’s Foundation Stone in May 1908. The event was a cause of great celebration and attracted about 12 000 people.
Sixteen months later, on 24 September 1909, Archbishop Dunne laid the Foundation Stone for the Mater Public Hospital. Also designed by Robin Dods, the hospital was built further down Mater Hill.
On 14 August 1910, the new hospital was officially blessed by Cardinal Moran and opened by the Governor, Sir William MacGregor. The hospital grounds were brightly decorated with flags and bunting and crammed by a crowd of 8000 people overflowing to the hillside.
On 8 September, the hospital’s first patient, Mrs Bolger from Fortitude Valley was transferred from Aubigny at North Quay to the new facility.