A Key Operator In Hospital Design

The Age

Tuesday January 13, 2009

Barbara Torokfalvy

Frederick Clarence Armstrong, OAM

Architect, Community Servant

16-11-1914 - 10-11-2008

CLARRIE Armstrong had a strong sense of history. He was always amazed that he lived at a time when he could contribute to the modernisation of Victoria's buildings - hospital buildings in particular.

Yet he'd also met a man who, in his youth, had been chased by police for shooting wild ducks along St Kilda Road; and he recalled search parties to find people who had strayed off the dirt track that was St Kilda Road, and become lost in the scrub.

His contribution to Victoria's buildings, along with a lifetime of community service, was recognised in 1994 with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Clarrie, who has died of cancer in palliative care at Ringwood Private Hospital, aged almost 94, was the second of five children, born in Windsor.

He gained his junior technical certificate at Caulfield Technical School on scholarship at 14, then won another scholarship and completed a four-year building construction course in two years, before he entered into articles of apprenticeship.

In those days there were no architectural courses; students were "articled" to a practising architect for training, then sat examinations set by the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects. Clarrie progressively passed the institute's exams, but marriage to Grace Bumford in March 1940 and World War II intervened. It wasn't until 1946 that he became an associate of the institute and a registered architect. Later, mainly because of his work with hospitals, he became a fellow of the Royal Institute of Australian Architects and its British counterpart.

Clarrie learnt by practice to do "presentation" sketches in pen and ink, to show clients attractive perspective illustrations. These were also used for articles in the architectural section of Melbourne's newspapers. Later, pen and ink drawing became a hobby and provided much sought-after gifts for his children and friends.

After a stint in the Artillery Survey Regiment, he returned to civilian life to work as architect on the site of Heidelberg Military Hospital, to expedite work that was behind schedule.

In the immediate post-war years there was a tremendous push for new or extended hospital services. The newly formed Hospitals and Charities Commission needed someone to write hospital planning briefs and guide architects in "functional planning" - designing hospitals to match their purpose. Clarrie got the job of planning officer in 1950. Over the years the title changed to senior architect, then chief architect. As the first architect appointed by the commission, he experienced pioneer-like conditions at some hospitals. One old country hospital comprised a long stretch of rooms with access off an exterior verandah. The operating theatre had a door off the verandah, and a window in the opposite wall. There was no air-conditioning. In hot weather, the door and window were left open for through-draught of air, both protected by flyscreens. As an added precaution during operations, an extra nurse armed with an old-fashioned fly-swat patrolled the theatre.

In another hospital, on cold, frosty days the hot coals in the open fireplace in the theatre had to be cleared by the orderly before the patient was whizzed in, and the operation completed in time before the room cooled down again.

Clarrie was involved with setting up courses on the principles of hospital planning for the College of Nursing, hospital managers, and a special course on planning for the care of aged people for the Institute of Architects.

He also gave generously of his time to the community. He was member and co-founder of the Methodist Babies Home (now Copelen Child and Family Services) for 50 years; a member of the Orana Homes for Children (now Orana Family Services) for 18 years; a member of the Methodist Child Care Department 12 years; Epworth Hospital 21 years; Eastern Suburbs Geriatric Centre seven years; honorary consultant architect and member of the board of management of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association for 11 years.

In 1991, he was awarded the City of Ringwood's Community Service Award for his involvement with the establishment and running of the Ringwood Croydon Advisory Service (22 years) and the Maroondah Social and Community Health Centre (16 years).

He also designed churches, chapels - including those at the Methodist Ladies College and Epworth Hospital - and various other church buildings. MLC acknowledged his contribution over the years by naming a laboratory after him.

When he retired from the Hospitals and Charities Commission in 1977, the committees of numerous hospitals expressed their regret with statements such as: "Not only have we lost your professional ability, we have lost a gentleman of the highest integrity and understanding"; and "your honesty, integrity and dedication to duty have never been in question". He is survived by his wife Grace, children Margaret, David, Ian, Barbara and Alison, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Barbara Torokfalvy is Clarrie Armstrong's daughter.

© 2009 The Age

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