In 1924 a Ford car was purchased to replace the Bega Hospital's horse and buggy. One of the hospital's horses had been called Day and Night because it worked for the hospital during the day and was used by the nurses to visit their boyfriends at night!
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The car was causing some concern which was voiced at the 1926 May committee meeting reported in the Bega District News. The Matron had told the committee that two nights earlier the car had had a slight collision and Nurse Campbell had been driving.
Mr Bush read the rules set up by the sub-committee governing the use of the hospital car:
"He said the Matron did not seem too keen on accepting the responsibilities, but someone has to be responsible. The Matron seemed rather disgusted, and would not be sorry if the car were got rid of, and they got a horse and buggy instead. (Laughter). In the matter of benzine, it would be bad business if, at the end of the year, the committee did not know what this had cost. In regard to the accidents that had occurred, these were covered by insurance."
The committee then spent some considerable time on the details of the use of the car by the nurses:
"It was suggested that Matron keep a record of the small amount of benzine and oil used, but she certainly wasn't expected to actually grease the car. As the wardsman used to grease the buggy he should learn to grease the car; they could not expect the Matron to do that. What is the wardsman there for if it is not to do work like that? The Matron has quite enough to do looking after the patients in the hospital. It was suggested that the wardsman get instructions how to grease and oil, and do the work, as the sellers of the car are meant to give all necessary instruction, and there is a book of instructions in the car telling how it is done."
The car came into the news again when a correspondent to the Bega District News decried the nurse using the car to gad around the district.
Indignant nurses replied with "we have not at any time been guilty of taking the hospital car for joy rides all over the country. For one thing, we are not good enough drivers yet to go on long distances. We venture to state that anyone who has been a patient in the hospital will agree we need a little recreation away from the gloomy atmosphere of the hospital after doing 11 hours a day for six days a week. So far our drives have mainly been to do shopping for the hospital, and two or three occasions to the amusements Bega provides."
