As mentioned in earlier pages, Dr Gillon was the resident 'Surgeon Superintendent' when the hospital opened in Newtown in 1881.   During the period 1881 - 1889, the resident surgeon was not in fact responsible for any surgery undertaken at the hospital;  rather, this was the role of the visiting honorary surgeons.
The resident surgeon lived in the upper level over the main entrance to the hospital, as seen in the photograph to the right.

There was a rapid succession of resident surgeons over this period.  In three instances, the incumbents left employment amid controversy, and two other appointees were temporary, being brought in at short notice.   Although he did have administrative duties, the clinical role of the 'Surgeon Superintendent' was that of a house physician or house surgeon.  This situation changed, however, after the appointment of Dr John Ewart as Resident Surgeon Superintendent in 1889, for Dr Ewart was to take a very active role in surgery at the hospital.
The resident surgeon was the only resident medical officer (prior to 1903), and he worked with a total salaried staff complement of around 30 - 40 persons, as this
1885 staff photograph shows.

For a complete list of all resident surgeons between 1881 and 1900, go to the next pages.