Mater Hospitals, Over 100 Years of Exceptional Care
"This, I hope, is the beginning of a big work that will do much good…"
Mother Patrick Potter, 27 February 1906
On January 4, 1906, the Sisters of Mercy opened a 20-bed private hospital in a former residential home in Brisbane’s North Quay.
This was the first Mater Private Hospital—the start of a tradition of care and compassion for the sick and the needy that would eventually lead to the establishment of seven hospitals for the Brisbane community, under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy.
The story of Mater’s development from small private hospital, to a world-class group of seven hospitals and a research institute, is an exceptional one. It’s a story of hardship, adversity, triumphs and compassion, characterised at all times by a commitment to care.
It’s not just Mater’s story. During its first 100 years, Mater has been part of the story of almost every person who has lived in Brisbane and countless more from all over Queensland and Northern NSW.