Dr Euchariste Sirois (1854-1947)

Of French descent, Euchariste Sirois was born in Quebec, Canada in 1854. He studied dentistry in Montreal and in 1882 he studied medicine at the McGill University. In 1908 he went to Vancouver before travelling to Australia, with his final destination to be Sydney. On the journey he decided to disembark in Brisbane and at the suggestion of Carl Zoeller, decided to go to Marburg, arriving there on 1 June 1909.

His first practice was a room in the Marburg Hotel but it wasn't long until he acquired land on the hill overlooking Marburg and this is where he built his surgery. In 1912 a hospital was built adjoining the surgery.

He married nurse Louisa Linning in 1919. Louisa was the matron of the hospital.

Sirois was very popular with residents owing to his expertise and many years of experience received while living in Canada. As well as serving the local Marburg community Sirois was often called out to rural parts of the district to tend to other medical cases.

After practising in Marburg for 3 years he decided that there was a great need for a local private hospital for residents and in 1912, with land purchased on his arrival from the local sugar company, he started constructing the beginnings of a surgery.

Doctor Euchariste Sirois arrived in Marburg in 1909. On a 1 acre block of land that fronted Edmond Street the Doctor built his private residence as well as a two room surgery. Later he bought another acre of land to the east and here he built a 22 room hospital.

In 1935 Doctor Sirois retired from active medical practice after 52 years in the profession, and was celebrated outside the Marburg Private Hospital. Many residents, Ipswich doctors and businessmen came to Marburg that day to congratulate the doctor on his great achievements while practising in the area.