East Melbourne in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Aubrey Bowen Wing, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 11, 2026

1. Aubrey Bowen Wing, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Marker

Inscription. Aubrey Bowen Wing,
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

is registered by the
Heritage Council of Victoria

Established in 1896 with a bequest from Dr Aubrey Bowen, one
of the pioneers of ophthalmology in Australia, this Victorian
Classical style building is the oldest remaining section of the hospital.

Victorian Heritage Register Number H 1724

Erected by Heritage Council Victoria. (Marker Number H 1724.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 37° 48.542′ S, 144° 58.595′ E. Marker is in East Melbourne, Victoria, in Melbourne. It is at the intersection of Morrison Place and Bionic Ear Lane, on the left when traveling north on Morrison Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Morrison Place, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British

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colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: New Temple Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Victorian Artists' Society (within shouting distance of this marker); Dame Nellie Melba (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel O'Connell (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Eastern Hill Fire Station (about 120 meters away); Daniel Mannix (about 180 meters away); Saint Vincent de Paul (about 210 meters away); Saint Patrick's College (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Melbourne.

Also see . . . Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Aubrey Bowen Wing. Victorian Heritage Database

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital was established when Dr. Andrew Sexton Gray's charitable institution for the eye and ear amalgamated with the Ophthalmic and Orthopaedic Institution (conducted by Drs Aubrey Bowen and Ewin Jones) in 1870. In 1878 the Government granted it a valuable site on what was known as the Tank Reserve on Eastern Hill and by 1883 a Victorian Classical style hospital had been constructed using a special
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 11, 2026

2. The Aubrey Bowen Wing
Marker is in the centre of the photograph
grant of £1000 and money raised by subscription. The construction of the Aubrey Bowen Wing in 1896 was funded by a bequest from Dr Bowen. It was designed and constructed to the same Victorian Classical style of the original building. The building is two storey and constructed of rendered brick walls with ruled ashlar blockwork to the ground floor exterior. It has a parapet roof with pediments and a three storey tower at one end. Windows are arched and the bays are divided by Ionic order pilasters with a classical cornice at the termination of each floor. In 1978 the earliest part of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital was demolished.

(Submitted on May 12, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.