Sarah Stonehill-Brown was a trained nurse who joined the 2nd Australian General Hospital of the Australian Infantry Force in 1915. She was almost 35 years old. Sarah obtained a Nursing certificate at the Crown Street Women's Hospital in 1906.  

Prior to the War, Sarah was previously Matron of the Wyalong Hospital. [Sarah's war service record is available on the National Archives website at item number 1801740.]

After World War I, while visiting family nearby, Sarah Brown decided to set up a private hospital in Dorrigo. She obtained a licence in October 1921 and while she moved away from the area the next year, she retained ownership of the property. In 1925, Sarah married Aloysius Myles Kelly in Darwin. Known as Myles, her husband was a Chief Health inspector, a position he held until they moved to Coffs Harbour in 1938. During her absence, Sarah leased the Dorrigo Private Hospital to Dr Clarence England, but she had bigger plans for the premises.

In early 1934, Matron Kelly decided to establish a Private Hospital in Coffs Harbour using the building she had paid for in Dorrigo. She purchased two blocks of land from another Doctor who practised in Coffs Harbour many years before - Dr William Wood. The property, near Coffs Jetty, consisted of two blocks on the corner of Mildura and Hood Streets: Lots 7 & 8, Section 57. 

It would appear that Dr England and his wife were forced to make other arrangements: 

Things moved briskly during the past few months. 'The building that had served Dorrigo as a private hospital for 20 years was pulled down and removed to Coff's Harbor. Dr. England and Mrs. England, who had taken over the private hospital, were compelled to throw open their private home for use as a hospital.  

DORRIGO (1935, February 2). Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), p. 7

The venture did not appear to be successful. Matron Kelly may have been working out ways to fund the Hospital, by selling other properties. A proposal to extend the building was approved in 1939. However Matron Kelly did not live to bring it to fruition. Her gravestone in the Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery reads:

 In Loving Memory of / S E S Kelly / Late Matron Brown A.I.F. / Died 25 Aug 1940 / Aged 60 years. R.I.P.

Matron Kelly's career and contribution had been acknowledged only months earlier:

DIGGERS' RE-UNION LUNCH

At 1 p.m. the Diggers held their re-union lunch in the Masonic Hall. A large number attended and there were also visitors from the Orara Sub-Branch. Amongst those present was Mrs. Myles Kelly, who as Matron Brown served as a nurse at the war. She was very cordially received, the Diggers not forgetting what the nurses did for them on the field of battle and in the military hospitals when they were wounded.

ANOTHER ANZAC DAY (1940, April 26). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 3

Myles Kelly died on 19 May 1949 and was also buried in the Historic Cemetery. [Source: Hubert Bailey, Coffs Harbour Undertakers Index, 1922 - 1977 (1922 - 1977), p.188]