In 1946, Mater developed plans to expand its healthcare services to mothers through an ambitious maternity hospital proposal. The creation of a maternity facility would enable Mater to provide care throughout every stage of life. In addition, the new facility would provide training in obstetrics for Mater’s resident medical officers and act as a ‘university’ hospital. However, financing a new maternity hospital was to be the sole responsibility of the Sisters of Mercy, and a lengthy period of fundraising commenced. The Mater Mothers’ Appeal assisted in making Mater more widely known in the community and consolidated esprit de corps among Mater people, particularly the various voluntary auxiliary committees.
The grand foundation stone ceremony, held on 16 May 1948 put the prospect of a new maternity hospital, which had been designed by Mater’s long-standing, trusted architects, Hall and Phillips, squarely before the public.
Fundraising activities, such as bottle and rag drives, Mater fetes, chocolate wheels and fashion parades and raffles attracted a wide support base and raised £100 000 within the first three years. However, the fundraising figure fell short of the amount required to construct the hospital; and it would take 12 years for the building to be completed.