48 William Street is much more than a home to George and Dorothea Haworth; it's a piece of history.

'The Laurels,' at 48 William Street, Condobolin was once a private maternity hospital run by Nurse Madline Floyd, at which many local residents were born between 1927 and 1948.

On Thursday October 6, a number of community members gathered at the residence to unveil a plaque in memory of Nurse Floyd, and among them were seventeen people born at the old maternity hospital.

Both the eldest and youngest persons to be born at the hospital were present at the event; the youngest revealing himself as the town's Mayor, Cr John Medcalfe who was born on December 19 1948.

"The day went really well," said Cr Medcalfe, "It was such a special occasion for all involved."

Madline Floyd was the daughter of Granny Floyd who established a hospital in Denison Street, next to the police station after settling in Condobolin in 1870 with her husband Samuel Floyd.

Madline trained as a nurse and midwife with her mother, together attending 3000 births including 27 sets of twins.

The records show the heaviest baby they cared for was 16lbs and the lightest 2lbs.

ABOVE: Madline Floyd © Lawrence Floyd

Madline later opened her own hospital at 48 William Street in 1927, where she operated with one of the lowest mortality rates in the state.

When she retired in 1948, it was the first time in 78 years that there was no midwife named Floyd in Condobolin.

Madline was described as a nurse who possessed a 'genuine love' for her work, with her wealth of experience making her a tolerant, sympathetic and wise nurse who offered her patients personalised attention and care.

Madline died in September 1967, and is buried with her parents in Condobolin Cemetery.

In August 1972, a portion of a street in Condobolin was renamed Madline St in her honour, and the new plaque at her maternity hospital will unify the memory of Nurse Floyd and her years of devoted midwifery services in Condobolin.