Daylesford Health has received another generous gift of $250,000 from the Maddicks Estate in January 2025, bringing the total donated since 1999 to an incredible $778,000.

To recognise the family’s legacy, Central Highlands Rural Health has renamed the surgical ward the “Maddicks Theatre” for a minimum of 10 years.

The funds will be used to improve facilities, upgrade medical equipment and resources for patients,
residents and clients across Daylesford Health services which include acute, theatre, community nursing and community health.

The official unveiling of the new name was celebrated with an afternoon tea on February 20 attended by Hepburn Shire Council Deputy Mayor Lesley Hewitt, Gary Lawrence and Barry Files from the Daylesford Historical Society and Central Highlands Rural Health’s (CHRH) Board, Executives and staff.

Central Highlands Rural Health Board Chair, the Hon Mary Delahunty visited with estate executor Mr Tim Byrne and his wife Eunice on February 28 to share the new signage.

The Hon Mary Delahunty: “Generations of the Maddicks family were well known and well loved by the Daylesford community and now their legacy lives on through their incredible investment in rural health.

“We are thrilled to honour them by naming the operating ward the Maddicks Theatre. On behalf of Central Highlands Rural Health’s Board and staff, I’d like to thank Mr Tim Byrne for taking such good care of Harry’s estate and legacy.”

Tim Byrne, Maddicks Family Estate Executor: “Harry wanted to support rural healthcare with his estate and I’m thrilled that the theatre will be named after his family.

“They were part of the Daylesford community for nearly 150 years and people still remember Harry taking their photo or loading reels at The Rex Theatre.

“The hospital staff have purchased life-saving equipment and other much-needed items with the funds which is great for the community.”

Recent purchases with the funds have included defibrillators for theatre and acute, an airway camera for theatre, a standing air chair for patient mobility and much-needed storage systems.

The Maddicks family arrived in Daylesford during the early gold rush days of the 1850s, where three generations lived and worked.

Henry Jnr (Harry), Thomas, Margaret (Peggy) and Kevin (were the children of Henry and Anastasia Maddicks. Henry Snr ran the Delta Photographic Studios from 1906 for over 60 years, and many of his treasured photos are archived at the Daylesford Museum.

Harry was a keen radio enthusiast and established a shop selling radios and household electrical appliances, and he continued to run the photographic business after his father’s death.

Thomas is buried with his parents at the Daylesford Cemetery. Kevin, who joined the war effort, was sadly killed while on service in New Guinea in 1945.

Their sister, Peggy, was an active tennis club member and quietly involved with many community groups.

None of the siblings married, and although private and reserved, they were actively volunteered in many of the community organisations and causes.

Harry was particularly interested in assisting the WWII refugees from the Baltic states at the Bullarto camp.

Words & Image: Supplied

A surprise phone call to Daylesford Health will change lives in rural Victoria  thanks to Harry and Peggy Maddicks.  

The estate of the late Maddicks siblings has been supporting the Daylesford  Hospital for over 25 years thanks to family friend and executor Tim Byrne, who recently donated $250,000, bringing the total given to an incredible $528,000.  

Mr Byrne said it was vitally important for rural people to have access to quality healthcare.  

“Harry wanted to support the health of the Daylesford community after his  passing and I’m honoured to make the donation on behalf of Harry and Peggy.”  

Tim was taken on a tour of Daylesford Hospital’s new operating theatre and  shown the updated plaque honouring the generosity of Harry and Peggy since the first donation in 1999.  

Director of Nursing for Daylesford Health Meagan Harding said a quarter of a million dollars would change lives.  

“It will have a lasting impact on the patients here at Daylesford Hospital. On  behalf of Central Highlands Rural Health’s Board, executives, staff and patients I  would like to thank Tim for giving so generously to the health and wellbeing of the  Daylesford and district community.”  

The Maddicks family arrived in Daylesford during the early gold rush days of the 1850s, where three generations lived and worked.

Henry Jnr (Harry), Margaret  (Peggy) and Kevin were the children of Henry and Anastasia Maddicks. Henry Snr ran the Delta Photographic Studios from 1906 for over 60 years, and  many of his treasured photos are archived at the Daylesford Museum.  

Harry was a keen radio enthusiast and established a shop selling radios and  household electrical appliances, and he continued to run the photographic business  after his father’s death.  

Kevin, who joined the war effort, was sadly killed while on service in New Guinea in 1945.  Their sister Peggy was an active tennis club member and quietly involved with many community groups.  

None of the siblings married, and although private and reserved, they actively volunteered in many of the community’s organisations and causes.  

Harry was particularly interested in assisting the WWII refugees from the Baltic  states at the Bullarto camp.  

Words & Image: Contributed  

Daylesford Health has recently received a $186,000 gift from a past patient who left the funds to the hospital in their will.

The impact of their legacy will be long-lasting on the local community as it will assist Central Highlands Rural Health to continue improving services and planning upgrades for the facilities on Hospital Street, Daylesford.

Gifts in wills are incredibly valuable to health services as they are an investment into the future of healthcare for generations to come.

Support for Daylesford Health has also been received recently from local artist Adele Perry who is donating her artwork for auction; Daylesford Bowling Club who gave its monthly meat raffle proceeds to its local health service, and Daylesford Highland Gathering committee which gave a generous $10,000 to aged care residents at Lumeah Lodge.

Links: www.chrh.org.au/donate and/or www.chrh.org.au/volunteer

THE Harry & Peggy Maddicks Golf Day, held on April 14, raised just under $14,000 for medical equipment and facility upgrades at Daylesford Health.
Central Highlands Rural Health board deputy-chair Kate Redwood spoke to the
players, sponsors and guests to thank them for their generosity and to highlight the
need for significant upgrades across the ageing Daylesford Health facilities.
“What a wonderful day at the Hepburn Springs Golf Club for a good cause.
Thank you to all who gave generously to ensure the success of Daylesford Health’s
first charity golf day. The funds raised will contribute to the future of the health
service. We will continue to rally support so that locals can be assured that they will
continue to receive quality healthcare close to home,” Kate said.
Event sponsor Tim Byrne, Harry and Peggy Maddicks’ estate executor, said he
knew his friend Harry “would be so happy that his and his sister Peggy’s legacy live
on. We need to keep supporting the rural hospital; it’s essential.”
The Maddicks family estate has been supporting the Daylesford Hospital since
1999, thanks to Mr Byrne, who sponsored the event in their honour, bringing the
total giving to $278,000.
Hepburn Shire councillor Lesley Hewitt and the late William Stanbridge (MLC),
Hans Gunter Brachmann and Ernest Zelman were also honoured at the event for
their individual contributions to the health service since it opened in 1862.
The family of Ernest Zelman, who led a capital campaign to upgrade the hospital
in the 1930s, are still contributing to the health service he was passionate about,
almost 100 years later. His grandson Max Zelman and great-granddaughter, Kate
Sellars-Jones, donated items to the auction in his memory.
Cr Hewitt reflected on the day after enjoying afternoon tea with players, sponsors,
Central Highlands Rural Health’s Board and staff.
“I am so pleased that the idea raised with Hepburn Springs Golf Club’s past
president, Barry Files, has evolved into this successful event enjoyed by all involved.
“Honouring the legacy of those who contributed so much to create and maintain
our local health service is important. This is a great opportunity for us all to consider
the legacy we are creating for ourselves and the impact we could have on future
generations of Daylesford residents.”
Words & image: Contributed