Epworth Hospital opened in March 1920, as a 25-bed community hospital initiated by the Annual Methodist Conference. The first matron was Ethel Gray, a Melbourne-trained nurse who had recently returned from serving as a matron in hospitals in France and England during World War I. A donation of £6,000 by Sir Aaron Danks led to the purchase of the mansion "Yallcowinna", situated in one and half acres of gardens in Richmond. Renovations to convert the mansion into a hospital cost £3,324, part of which was donated by Dr. Georgina Sweet and her father in memory of Dr. Margaret Sweet who "gave her life during the 1919 influenza epidemic". The influence of the Methodist traditions can be found in the name "Epworth", as this was the name of the village where John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, was born.