Reunion committee members Robyn Gouman and Margot Roxburgh said the event would be a chance to recognise the hospital’s place in local history.
"We’re working with the South Otago Museum to have a display of memorabilia — uniforms, medical equipment, photos and stories from the old hospital’s history," Mrs Roxburgh said.
"If there’s anything you’d like to lend for display, get in touch."
Mrs Gouman, who was born in Balclutha Hospital and trained as a nurse there in the 1970s, said the event was so far planned for around 150 guests.
"Practically every family in the district will have a quite important memory of the hospital so the reunion is for anyone who was employed there," she said.
Mrs Roxburgh, who emigrated from Scotland in 1981 to become Balclutha Hospital’s resident pharmacist recalled the hospital’s size and importance.
"In its heyday there would have easily been over 500 people. After the freezing works, the hospital was the biggest employer in the area. They didn’t send out for gardeners or electricians and engineers and all that ... We had our own."
The rise of Balclutha Hospital began when the reduction of Kaitangata Hospital shifted about 500 patients to Dunedin’s care catchment, and on February 3, 1926, it opened with two 14-bed wards and resident doctors and nurses.
It expanded over the decades to provide maternity services, training, X-ray, laboratory testing, emergency and medical procedures under two house surgeons.
As changing technology and delivery required modern facilities with built-in infrastructure, services were gradually scaled back.
Surgery closed about 36 years ago and the hospital was eventually superseded by Clutha Health First in 1998.
Staff including Mrs Roxburgh and Clutha Health First doctor Branko Sijnja transitioned from the old Hospital Rd site to the new Clyde St facility.
Dr Sijnja is expected to speak at the reunion.
Those interested in sharing items for the display can email oldbalcluthahospital@gmail.com.
The event will open at the Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre Te Pou ō Mata-Au at 1pm, followed by an afternoon of photographs, speeches and refreshments among the display.
