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Frederick Staubwasser, Diamantina Hospital Dispenser 1901 - 1938

The Diamantina Hospital for Chronic Diseases opened in 1901 on the site of the Princess Alexandra Hospital at the corner of Ipswich Road and Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane.1 The foundation senior staff of the Diamantina Hospital in 1901 was the Matron (Miss Florence Chatfield), Medical Superintendent (Dr. Francis Hare), Dispenser/Head Wardsman (Mr. Frederick Staubwasser) and Visiting Medical Officer (Dr. Alfred Jefferis Turner). These persons worked very well together with mutual respect in this independent public hospital (replacing an orphanage)1 initially of 32 patients with chronic diseases (mostly pulmonary tuberculosis, cerebro-vascular diseases, cancer and epilepsy). The hospital was declared to be a Public Charitable Institution under the Charitable Institutions Management Act of 1866, and was under the direct control of the Home Secretary and his Department until 1942.1,2

Frederick Staubwasser’s role and life is less well known than the other three foundation staff. Of great value in exploring his story is his retrospective autobiography written for his family in 1933 - but for the period of his life 1872-1901, until he began his professional work and family life at the Diamantina Hospital.3

Primary Australian sources have been sought to confirm and understand the autobiography; but his life 1901-1938 has required most research to explain his great progress at the Diamantina Hospital, and the two enigmas - his delayed registration by 26 years as a Pharmacist, and his avoidance of internment etc. during the anti-Germanism during and around World War 1.

Documents:

  1. Frederick Staubwasser's Autobiography
  2. Frederick Staubwasser's Biography, by Dr Owen Harris


Last Updated: 27 November 2006
Last Reviewed: 27 November 2006