St Mary's Private Hospital

From the very early 20th century Dr John Flynn's surgery and residence were at Mariemont (later known as Villa Maria) on the corner of Limestone and Murphy Streets. No doubt the surgery accommodated some in-patients. At this time Dr Flynn was also a health officer appointed by the local Ipswich council. Later on in 1917 he was also appointed Government Medical Officer for Ipswich. 

On Saturday 28 April 1906, Dr Flynn and his wife Jane, formally opened St Mary's Private Hospital on the corner of Roderick & Murphy Streets. It was estimated that 600-700 people attended the opening including local councillors and Members of Parliament. The hospital had 20 rooms and was capable of accommodating 12 patients. Well known Ipswich architect H. E. Wyman designed the hospital with one wing facing Roderick Street, and the operating room and dispensary facing Murphy Street. Nurse Isambert was matron of the establishment at that time. 

By 1914/15 St Mary's received some renovation and modernisation including a new head nurse as Matron Kelly resigned and Claire Robinson took over. In October of that year the hospital received its first wounded Returned Soldier. Military authorities sent Private K.C.H. Allan-Waters, a surgical patient, for hospital treatment.  

Following Dr Flynn's death of influenza in June 1919, Sister M. Dooner of Ipswich Hospital became matron of St Mary's. In 1928 Eva May Saunders became the new proprietor until she moved on to Lyndhurst Private Hospital after a tenure of about 6 years. Margaret Hackett was matron until  late 1941 when Matron Daly took over. 

In the later 1940s St Mary's Private Hospital closed and the building became Carrington Guest House which still operates in 2025.