Bass Coast Health (BCH) has paid tribute to a longstanding volunteer at Wonthaggi Hospital by unveiling its latest honour board.

The board honours the late Stan Grabham, Chair of the Wonthaggi Hospital Board of Directors for 21 years from 1952-1973.

His daughter-in-law Shirley Grabham, grandson Arthur Grabham and his partner Angie Almond recently gathered at the hospital for the unveiling, followed by an afternoon tea.

Former BCH Board Chair Don Paproth said Stan's honour board was a well-deserved recognition of everything he had done for Wonthaggi Hospital.

"One of the reasons is when you walk around the hospital you see the Stirton Wing and you saw (the former) Davey House, and you knew who those people were, but not many people knew who Stan Grabham was," he said.

Stan's time in charge saw unprecedented growth in facilities and services, such as a new nurse's home, new aged care facilities, new kitchen facilities and a children's ward.

He led the way in bringing several UK doctors to the hospital in the 1950s and 1960s to service the community, largely because locally trained doctors were in short supply.

Stan was at the forefront of the introduction of a community Hospital Benefits Scheme in 1952. This ground-breaking program was unique in Australia and ensured the whole population of Wonthaggi

and surrounds had full hospital cover. It wasn't until the Federal Government's introduction of Medibank some 20 years later that the rest of Australia would enjoy similar benefits.

Stan and his wife Ivy were tireless workers for the hospital, in particular their efforts for the annual hospital garden party, which raised enormous funds and was a highlight of the community's social calendar.

Grabham Wing at the Hospital is named after Stan and while this building is earmarked for demolition during further stages of the Wonthaggi Hospital expansion, BCH CEO Jan Child said Stan's contribution would be remembered.

"When the new hospital is built we will retain Stan Grabham's name, and make sure the histories of all the people who are the soul of this health service live on," she said.

Last year, BCH unveiled honour boards for other health service contributors John Owens, Agnes Chambers, Bill Stirton, Dr Lancelot Sleeman, James Healy Davey, Mary Kathleen (Min) Gillespie and Percy Brew.