Hyacinth Green

Awarded for service to community, advocacy and inclusion

14 February 1887 – 19 June 1973

Entered on roll: 2023

"Recognised the need for aged care"

Long before Governments supported social welfare, Hyacinth Green saw a need for aged care.

Hyacinth was one of five children. Tragically, Hyacinth’s father, Frederick Clarence Green, died in 1887 only four months after Hyacinth’s birth leaving her mother, Isobel, to raise five children and run the property, “La Mascott”, in an area now known as Mornington.

While the three older children married and left the family home, Hyacinth and her sister, Mabel, remained unmarried and stayed working the homestead alongside their mother.

As Isobel aged and became frail, Hyacinth and Mabel became increasingly concerned about the plight of the elderly and decided to raise funds to build a Home for the Aged in memory of their mother. To raise funds, they sold eggs and vegetables at the Bellerive Ferry Terminal. Mabel’s last Will and Testament dated 8 August 1952 bequeathed proceeds towards the establishment and maintenance of a Home for Aged Ladies of limited means, at Bellerive, to be known as the Isobel Home for Aged Ladies.

After Mabel’s death in 1956, Hyacinth was left to realise their shared vision. By April 1957 Hyacinth approached the Presbyterian Church offering an immediate donation of 1.41 hectares of land on Cambridge Road on which to build the home on the condition that she retain a life-time interest. Hyacinth also donated an additional £1,110 raised from selling produce.

A court judgement in 1958 determined the Home be named the Lillian Martin Presbyterian Home incorporating the Isobel Green Home. Lillian Martin also made a significant contribution to the construction cost. The Foundation stone was laid on 4 July 1959. The first wing, called the Isobel Green Wing, opened in 1960, accommodating 17 residents. The Mabel Green Wing opened in 1964, named to honour Mabel.

Hyacinth continued living independently on site long after the home had opened, although with failing health she eventually relented to stay “just one night”. Hyacinth remained living in the Home until her death at age 86, in 1973.