The Australian Inland Mission (AIM) was there when it was needed to support the once thriving community in Radium Hill, the birthplace of uranium mining in Australia.

Uranium was discovered in Radium Hill, 460 km north-east of Adelaide near Broken Hill in 1906, with intermittent mining occurring until 1931.

In 1952 intensive mining commenced. Shafts were sunk and a processing mill built, along with a town to accommodate up to 1200 people.

The Australian Inland Mission established the Radium Hill Nursing Home in 1953, providing health care services to the miners and their families.

The nursing sisters lived in the adjoining house and were on call 24/7. Over the years, 117 babies were delivered at the AIM Nursing Home, and it was one of the busiest AIM Hospitals of its time. There were 11 nurses posted to Radium Hill during this time.

The mine closed in December 1961 and by the end of 1963, 165 houses plus cubicles and mining structures had gone, as had the residents who were given new opportunities in other mines and communities both within Australia and overseas.

The AIM Radium Hill Nursing Home closed in 1962, allowing the AIM to move on to the next community in need.

Frontier Services, the successor in the Uniting Church to the AIM, celebrates 100 years of support for the people in remote Australia this year. Find out more about Our Centenary.

Watch a video about out history here.