CUT PAW PAW SANITORIUM
Location
KOROROIT CREEK ROAD, ALTONA NORTH VIC 3025
Level
Heritage Inventory Site
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Statement of Significance
The Cut Paw Paw Sanitorium in Williamstown North (part of the ExxonMobil Altona Refinery, Altona North) contains the archaeological remains of the former Cut Paw Paw Sanitorium.
The Cut Paw Paw Sanitorium for infectious diseases was established in 1882. The site allocated by the Victorian government was established to deal with outbreaks of imported diseases into Melbourne including variola (smallpox). In 1884, an outbreak of smallpox spurred the government to expand the Sanitorium with the construction of semi-permanent infrastructure and facilities to support the operation. By the late 1890s the Sanitorium had fallen into disrepair and by 1901 the Cut Paw Paw facility was closed, with patients transferred to a replacement hospital on Coode Island. The former Sanitorium cemetery was removed by 1930s, but it wasn’t until 1957 that the ‘Old Werribee Cemetery’ was officially discontinued under Section 42 of the Cemeteries Act 1928.
Archaeological features include the identification of subsurface historical humans. At the time of writing, one (1) set of historical human remains has been visually identified. The desktop background review indicates that there is the possibility for more bodies to be identified subsurface. Three headstones were noted to be present I the early twentieth century.
The site has the potential to provide information about early examples of infectious disease control in Victoria and burial practices.
How is it significant?
The site is of archaeological, historical and scientific significance at a Local level.
Why is it significant?
The site is significant at a local level for the following reasons:
The Cut Paw Paw Sanitorium is archaeologically significant because of its potential to yield information regarding the preparation of deceased in times of viral outbreaks and associated burial practices. It is of historical and scientific significance because of its associations with Melbourne’s early response to virial outbreaks. Specifically, the preparation of deceased individuals who have died due to viral conditions including smallpox and the bubonic plague.
Group
Cemeteries and Burial Sites
Category
Cemetery/Graveyard/Burial Ground
