Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to officially recognise and congratulate the Launceston General Hospital on its sesquicentenary, marking 150 years of caring, from 1863 to 2013. One of the oldest hospitals in Australia, the LGH has been an essential part of the health of the Launceston and greater Northern Tasmanian community since its beginning in 1806, firstly as a convict military hospital tent and later, in 1863, as a 102-bed hospital. Since then the LGH has developed into a first-class teaching facility and has led the way in many medical treatments and techniques.

The LGH is a world-class facility with wonderful staff providing great service for the people of Tasmania. Having spent a good part of my working life working at the Launceston General Hospital, I was thrilled to be able to successfully lobby for federal government funding support for the hospital's 150-year celebration. This will include an art exhibition, a three-day medical history and research seminar, scholarly lectures and the publication of a book detailing some of the medical history associated with the Launceston General Hospital's past. Once again, I congratulate the Launceston General Hospital on its 150th anniversary and wish everyone involved the best of luck with the celebrations that are happening this week.