1960: Hospital receives largest contribution in an appeal to a charity in Australia

A public appeal was launched to raise money for the new hospital building, supported by the auxiliaries, Uncle Bobs’ Club, hospital staff and the general public. The target was £400,000, but the target was surpassed and the actual amount raised was £500,000 – which at that time was by far the largest amount ever contributed in a single appeal to a single charity in Australia.​

1960: Harry Lyon Moss Trust established

Investor and financier, Harry Moss, left instructions for £1 million to be held in a charitable trust that would pay an income in perpetuity to the RCH.

1961: Volunteer service established

The volunteer service was established with 126 volunteers performing a myriad of tasks throughout the hospital, supporting patients and families. One of the key tasks of some early volunteers was to assist with interpretation.

Some of the early tasks of volunteers was serving tea to staff with a tea trolley, working in the pharmacy counting pills and putting them in bottles, helping in the library, and most significantly, assisting with interpretation between medical staff and parents and patients.​

1962: Miss Joan Gendle appointed Lady Superintendent of Nursing

Miss Joan Gendle is appointed Lady Superintendent of Nursing. She is the first Children’s Hospital-trained nurse to obtain this prestigious position.

1965: Mrs Patricia McKinnon is elected President of the Committee of Management

Mrs (later Dame) Patricia McKinnon is elected President of the Committee of Management. She represented one of the longest traditions of family involvement on the committee of management, as her husband’s mother, Hilda Mackinnon, and grandmother, Emily Mackinnon had both been long serving committee members.