No. 5 Medical Rehabilitation Depot RAAF

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Brief History

5 Convalescent Depot formed at Mount Osmond, South Australia, on 19 October 1942. On 20 October, the first patient arrived for admission, followed on 31 October by quantities of comforts, chairs, lockers and fittings donated by the Red Cross, who also supplied cigarettes for the patients in November. The Burnside Council visited the Unit on 8 December, when fire breaks were made and discussions held on precautions to be taken in the prevention of bushfires. The physiotherapy department began functioning on 14 December. Equipment on hand included two infra·rcd lamps donated by the Red Cross. ou,er devices, such as wall bars and pulley machines, were being made in the workshop. On 24 and 30 December 1942, the Unit was completely without water when the pump broke down. Patients were evacuated to their homes or to nearby units. Also during the month, Livestock were donated to the Unit, increasmg the availability of fresh milk and eggs. Material obtained by the Red Cross for the nursing sisters' quarters was made into curtains and bed covers. Window blinds had also been donated. Sporting facilities on the Unit were excellent, consisting of a nine-hole golf course, and two lawn tennis courts, one of which was used for bowls. Swimming parades were held once or twice weekly. Workshop, b'<~rdening and Jjvestock work, and study, were available in the way of occupational therapy. Rosters were drawn up so that patients did not tire too easily, while also being able to tu'dertake a range of activities. Most patients gladly participated in activities offered. A library was established, with books supplied by the Red Cross, and the country lending secl•on of the public library. The Unit moved to Mount Barl<er on 16 September 1943, taking over the Red Cross rest home. Up until now, two-thuds of pat•ents had been accommodated in tlus home. which was situated IS miles from the depot. The move made •l easier to run a carefully planned program and routine of work, play and rest, combined with remedial games, phys•otherapy and occupational therapy. After the move, it was necessary for patients to hcJp with Unit construction work, but things were soon back to normal, and in the following months plans were made to establish n wireless room and a potter's shop. A potter's wheel was considered to be good for foot, hand and eye co-ordination. The gym was fitted with massage cubick>s and a plaster room. It had always been the policy of the Unit to 's.1lvage' many ex-patients who had passed through the depot, and then employ them as staff. This served two purpo~ to 'reclaim these men from the realms of the unfit and ~ted', and to free up young. fit men for achve serviCe. During September 1943, plans were made to set up a model farm on seven ocres of land adJOining the Unit. Functions of the farm mcluded instructing patients m methods of mixed furmmg. wh1lst making some profit for welfare by the sale of stock and prod ucc. By January 1944, occupational therapy activities had expanded to include leather work, bookbinding. spinning. and twine and basket work. On arrival at t.he depot, each man was issued with a card, sellmg out a daily program on a weekly basis. By the end of March 1944, there were 65 beds equipped at the Unit. Work ceased on the model farm at the beginnmg of October 1944, as the Unit awaited a decision on a move to a new location. A week-long move to Victor Harbour commenced on 14 May 1945, with Limited function rcsummg at the new location on 23 May. Outside occupational therapy such as gardening was begun at once, but achv1hes such as woodwork, and the functions of the physiotherapy dep.utment, were held up awa1tmg the 11\Stallabon of power poiJ\ts to enable equ•prnent to be operated. Red Cross representatives VISited w1th a view to supplying materials to brighten up the interior of the bUildmgs, wh•ch were in a state of disrepair. In August 1945, a special daily program of achvihcs was introduced, after the arrival of a number of POWs. During the monUlS after the 95 96 japanese surrender, the main function of the Unitt was the rehabilitation of POWs. It was reported lhat U1e majority of these patients made extremely good progrE.'SS due to organised outdoor recreation and good mi'Ssing. Patients ancl starr had been kept busy painting rooms and arranging new furnishings. On the welfare side, free films were shown three times a week for Unit personnel. At Christmas 1945, Girl Guide reprt'!Selltatives donated literoture to the patients, and the Red Cross donated Christmas hampers. POW numbers had decreased, and maximum effort was put into occupational therapy and physiotherapy, as most convalescents were orthopaedic patients just out of hospital. Organised sport had now moved outdoors, and swinlming and beach activities provided excellent rehabilitation opportunities. l11c Unit ceased to hlnction on 20 April 1946, and palumts were transferred to 7 RAAF Hospital and 4 Personnel Depot. A disbandment program commenced from that date, and 5 Medical Rehabilitation Unit ceased to be a RAAF unit as of 8 May 1946.