The photograph shows a RDNS Sister driving her RDNS car along a dirt road to reach a patient to administer nursing care. It shows the typical conditions of the roads the RDNS trained nurses encountered in some districts. The photograph also depicts an Australian made Holden car of the mid 1960s Melbourne District Nursing Society, later Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) has had various modes of transport over the last 130 years. At first their Trained nurses (Nurses) walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of central Melbourne. As the Society expanded bicycles, public transport, District cars, the use of a Motor Auxiliary, the Trained nurses (Sisters) own cars, and even a motorcycle were used, and all these forms were intermingled until RDNS had its own fleet of vehicles. By 2009 there were 598 cars in the fleet and the Sisters travelled 9 million 200,000 kilometres – this is equivalent to 12 trips to the moon and back. The Trained nurses of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures, throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelistis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.In the centre of this black and white photograph is a Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS), Sister at the wheel of her RDNS Holden car, which has a black rear Victorian number plate with 'JPH - 516' written in white letters. Through the back window you can see part of the Sister's uniform and her peaked hat worn over her short curled hair. Her left hand is on the upper part of the steering wheel. The dirt road on which she is travelling has mud and some grass tufts either side of it. On the right of the car is a hip roof brick house which has a single storey front area with attached two storey section at the rear. A short open Besser brick fence, with a white wooden gate, is seen running from the front of the property to the house, and beyond this a clothes line and shed. Beyond this, part of a tall paling fence is seen from the front of the property to the shed. The top section of the next brick house is seen beyond the fence; it has a white railed veranda along part of it and the house has a flat roof.Photographers stamp. Quote No. GE 90rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns transport, rdns patient care

The RDNS Sisters are both holding the 1st day Cover Envelope issued by the Australian Postal Department in 1985 to commemorate the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society on the 17th of February 1885. A stamp is in the right hand top corner of the envelope. The main body of the stamp is pale blue. On the top of the stamp, written in deeper blue/grey, are the words "Centenary of District Nursing Services 1985" Below this, and to the right, is a pale bone colour original sign on a metal fence which reads, in white capital letters, "Melbourne District Nursing Society" Standing on the left in the foreground is a MDNS Trained nurse (Nurse) in her long grey uniform frock with white collar, cuffs and belt. She is wearing a grey helmet style hat which has a white hat band with a red Maltese cross in the centre. Her black shoes can also be seen. She is holding a bicycle; only the front wheel and part of the frame and the handlebars, which have a brown nursing bag strapped to them, can be seen, The nursing bag and handlebars cover part of the MDNS sign. At the bottom of the stamp, on a strip of white background, are the words in capital letters "Australia 33c". Below the stamp is a rectangular1st mark. On the left half of the envelope are some sketches of several two storey buildings either side of a set of steps. Some adults and children are standing on the steps as well as in the foreground; some are sketched and others dressed in various coloured clothing. In the foreground right in front of steps, stands a lady with her hair drawn up and wearing along grey frock and white apron; partly seen against her right side is a small child dressed in brown. Sister Willie Fleming is the Supervisor of the RDNS Sunshine Centre and Sister Phillipa Kariko is Supervisor of Essendon Centre. They are wearing their RDNS uniforms of white short sleeve blouses under royal blue V neck tunic style frocks. The RDNS insignia is round and has royal blue writing on a white background. In Melbourne in 1885 it was recognized that skilled nursing was needed to care for the sick poor in their own homes. On the 17th of February a meeting was held with prominent Melbourne citizens, five gentlemen and fourteen ladies. ‘Dr. Caffyn and Rev. Charles Strong explained the objects and scope of District Nursing Societies that had been formed in towns in UK’. On that day the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded, the first District Nursing Service in Australia. Subsequent meetings were held to form a Committee and to draw up a Code of Rules of the Society. It was decided only nurses who had attended a Nurses Training School at a Hospital and were fully qualified would be employed by the Society, and that the Nurses would keep a daily journal of their work. After interviewing several candidates, the first Nurse, Mrs. Ferguson, was employed with a salary of £100 per annum and commenced work on the 1st of May 1885. She was employed for three months initially, but this was soon extended, “on the understanding she will make arrangements to live in the more immediate vicinity of her district”. A Doctor was consulted before any person was seen. In rotation, a member of the Superintendence Sub-Committee supervised the Nurse’s visits and could assist to alleviate some of the poor social conditions they found. Though only Trained nurses were employed, the term ’Nurse’ was used in those days, not the term ‘Sister’ that is used these days. A second Trained nurse, Mrs. Joanna Cannon, was employed in late 1885, with a trial period of six months which was extended. The two Nurses worked in the now CBD, ie from Spencer Street to Spring Street and from Victoria Parade to Flinders Street. At that time they walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of inner Melbourne carrying their nursing bags containing lotion, ointments, powders, liniment, bandages, dressings, a case of spirits, and the Nurse's own clean apron, soap and small towel. They supplied equipment on loan, such as earthenware hot water bottles, splints, urinals, bed pans, bed cradles, feeding mugs, and air-cushions as well as providing blankets and clean bed linen, and nightdresses as necessary. From its inception the Society was at the forefront of health care and liaised with Doctors. They provided high quality nursing care to a range of people, often in destitute situations, some lying on rags on the floor as they had no bed, others with just a bed and maybe a thin blanket, a chair and nothing else. Their ages ranged from babes, children, adults to the elderly. The Nurses gave medications as ordered, dressed wounds e.g. to the injured, and surgical cases, and to those with leg ulcers; attended to patients with ‘surgical ailments’ such as ‘hip disease’; gave care to those with acute illnesses such as bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, measles, and scarlet fever, as well as those with chronic illnesses such as consumption (tuberculosis), heart disease, arthritis, cancer, debility, neuritis and paralysis. They educated their patients, and their carers, in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of hygiene, cleanliness, ventilation and good nutrition. They taught them, by verbal instruction and demonstration, how to make poultices, to make and apply bandages, apply medical appliances such as splints; and the Nurses supplied milk, beef tea and they cooked soup when needed. As the work increased a third Nurse was employed but this was arduous work, particularly in the heat of summer and many Nurses only remained with the Society for several months. A Midwifery Service commenced in August 1893 with Nurse Fowler the first trained Midwife. She had previously worked with the Society carrying out General nursing. The Society expanded its areas using public transport and with the Society purchasing bicycles in 1903, before procuring its first cars to cope with the influx of patients during the Spanish influenza epidemic in 1919, though these were sold in 1927 due to their poor condition..A Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take Sisters to patients, and some Sisters used their own cars; even a motorcycle was used by one Sister in 1933. All these forms of transport were intermingled and in the early 1950s, and now as Melbourne District Nursing Service, seven Ford Prefect cars were bought followed by twelve Ford Anglia vehicles in 1955. Having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own fleet of Holden vehicles by the mid 1960s and the Motor Auxiliary ceased operating in 1971 as by then all staff employed were required to have a driving licence. Seat-belts had been introduced to Victoria in 1959 and District fitted them to their cars from 1962, even though they did not become compulsory until 1970. The Holden vehicles were replaced with grey Holden Torana vehicles. After several years the fleet was changed to white Toyota Corolla vehicles. The Melways Directory of maps was introduced in 1966, which was a boon to the Sisters, though it was a few years before it went beyond Seville, so a large paper map was used by the Sisters visiting patients in the areas passed Seville. By 2009 there were 598 cars in the fleet and the Sisters travelled 9 million 200,000 kilometres – this is equivalent to 12 trips to the moon and back. Over its years of expansion the RDNS Trained nurses (Sisters), continued to visit patients in their homes and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as Amputees, those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary. On the left of the black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sister Willie Fleming, who has curly blonde hair, and on the right, Sister Phillipa Kariko, who has short dark hair. They are standing outside Essendon RDNS Centre.. They are both wearing their RDNS summer uniform of dark V neck tunic style frocks, with emblazoned RDNS insignia on its upper left, over short sleeve white blouses, Each are holding an envelope with writing, sketched buildings and figures on the envelopes left side, and a stamp is on the upper right corner. Below the stamp is writing in a rectangle. Behind the Sisters is a brick wall with them hiding some of the white capital letters of the words 'District Nursing Service' and 'Essendon Centre'. Windows and part of the fascia of the building is seen behind this.Handwritten informationmelbourne district nursing society, melbourne district nursing service, mdns, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns centre, sister willie fleming, sister phillipa kariko, rdns 1st day cover centenary envelope

Dept of Defence issued equipment: trip wire for a wide range of usages including preventative, precautionary measures against enemy.Trip wire was an effective and valuable resource used by Australian soldiers for their protection and an advanced warning of enemy presence whilst in the field.Small cardboard roll of trip wire, attached to beige paper label with red text.IMPORTANT/ run wire through finger and thumb to remove kinks before use.trip wire, explosive device, booby trap, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, weapons

A newsletter covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. The October edition covers a 2007 reunion of former Junior Legatees. Generally The Answer includes photos of events, a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend many activities including, swimming exercise classes, stamp group, craft, walking group, Monday Concerts, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verses that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer'. Editions were published January, March, May, July, September and November, they have approximately 24 pages.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Printed A4 x 28 page edition of The Answer with black and white photos and text with a green cover showing Legacy Sunday at the Shrine.newsletter, answer, activities

This article from the Daily Mirror reports on Bob Hymans' views on the future of the ski fields in Australia on his return from a brief trip to Europe. He paid particular attention to catering and transport problems. Hymans believed that a focus on development in these areas in Australia would see the ski fields flourish.This article is significant because it documents an importance incident in Falls Creek.A newspaper item featuring Bob Hymans and his views on the Victoria ski fields and their potential on his return from Europe in April 1958.bob hymans, issues on australian ski fields 1958, falls creek

A commemorative photo from the voyage back to Australia aboard the ship The Ceramic in 1920. It departed Tillbury, UK 12th March and docked in Freemantle on 27th April 1920 and then went onto Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The Ceramic was a transport vessel built in Belfast in 1913 for the White Star Line to transport frozen produce and apples from Australia to UK. It was taken over by the Australian Government for troop transport in October 1914 and could carry over 3,000 troops. This trip in 1920 there were 1467 on board, there were women and children as well as 439 soldiers returning home, one of whom was John 'Basil' McLean. Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving Portsea in 1920.A record of a soldier's journey home after World War 1.Black and white photo of a ship that brought troops home from World War 1.Handwritten on the back 'Ship - Basil came home from 1st World War'world war one, souvenir, ship, rms ceramic

A souvenir of a ship that brought returned servicemen, including JB McLean, home from World War 1 in 1920. The Ceramic departed Tillbury, UK 12th March and docked in Freemantle on 27th April 1920 and then went onto Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The Ceramic was a transport vessel built in Belfast in 1913 for the White Star Line to transport frozen produce and apples from Australia to UK. It was taken over by the Australian Government for troop transport in October 1914 and could carry over 3,000 troops. This trip in 1920 there were 1467 on board, there were women and children as well as 439 soldiers returning home, one of whom was John 'Basil' McLean. Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. There was a large collection of postcards so he may have been collecting them as souvenirs. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving Portsea in 1920.Postcards were a very common form of communication in the first World War. This postcard also records a trip home for a returned soldier. This type of experience would have been familiar to the first Legatees as they had served in World War 1.Postcard of the ship Ceramic of the White Star Line.Printed on the back. 'Post Card / Universal Postal Union / this space may be used for correspondence / The address only to be written here. / If posted in the UK for inland use 1d. stamp. If posted in Postal Union, 1d. stamp or its equivalent.'souvenir, world war one, ship

Legacy had many programs to send young legatees on activities and outings. A trip to the snow was organised many times over the years. Here a group of junior legatees at the snow, it is possibly 1988 as it was with other photos from about that date. The second photos shows an information board from Stevensons' Falls which is in Marysville. So the ski field is probably Lake Mountain. Photos were in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991.A record of a Legacy providing amazing experiences for the junior legatees that they might never have done because of the deaths of their fathers.Colour photo x 2 of Junior Legatees on a ski trip.junior legatee outing, activities, skiing

The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verse that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer' (see page 2). This is an example of Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. It includes photos of events. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. This edition had become 20 pages. Various pages of interest have been added to show different news items. Other editions haven't been scanned.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white printed newsletter from September 1992, Issue 195, the first copy called The Answer.newsletter, answer, activities

This is an example of Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. It includes photos of events. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verse that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer' (see page 2). This edition had become 20 pages. Various pages of interest have been added to show different news items. Other pages haven't been scanned.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white printed newsletter from November 1992, Issue 196.newsletter, answer, activities

All six editions of the Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters in 1993, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. It includes photos of events. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend many activities including, monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verse that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer'. Editions were published January, March, May, July, September and November, they have approximately 24 pages.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white printed newsletters from 1993 in hardcopy and pdf format 65.89 MB.newsletter, answer, activities

All six editions of the Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters in 1994, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. It includes photos of events. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend many activities including, monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verses that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer'. Editions were published January, March, May, July, September and November, they have approximately 24 pages.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white printed newsletters from 1994 in hardcopy and pdf format 69.74 MB.newsletter, answer, activities

Six editions of the Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters in 1995, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. It includes photos of events. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend many activities including, monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verses that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer'. Editions were published January, March, May, July, September and November, they have approximately 24 pages.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white printed newsletters from 1995 in pdf format 75MB.newsletter, answer, activities

Six editions of the Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters in 1996, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. It includes photos of events. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend many activities including, monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verses that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer'. Editions were published January, March, May, July, September and November, they have approximately 24 pages.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white printed newsletters from 1996 in hardcopy and pdf format 75MB.newsletter, answer, activities, gwen gunn

Six editions of the Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters in 1997, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. It includes photos of events. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend many activities including, monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The first edition of the newsletter was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The September 1992 edition of the Melbourne Legacy newsletter was the first to be called 'The Answer'. The name comes from the verses that guides the work of Legacy - 'In Flanders Field' and 'The Answer'. Editions were published January, March, May, July, September and November, they have approximately 24 pages.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white printed newsletters from 1997 hardcopy and in pdf format 74.55 MB.newsletter, answer, activities

Charles Robert Thatcher (1831-1878) trained in England as a flautist before travelling to the Bendigo goldfields in 1853. He was unsuited and unsuccessful as a miner so decided to rely on his music to make his fortune. He was considered a 'comic vocalist' who wrote many songs about the observations he made on the goldfields. These songs were often satirical and were published in newspapers as poems. He travelled extensively around the Victorian goldfields and also toured New Zealand. In 1861 he married widowed singer Anna Vitellie who performed with him, singing sentimental ballads. In 1870 the family returned to England where Charles became an importer of curios, following in his father's footsteps. He travelled to China, Japan and India sourcing stock for his business and on one such trip he contracted cholera and died in Shanghai. His wife returned to Australia and taught singing in Moonee Ponds.A talk written by Jim Evans for the Bendigo Historical Society in September 2002 regarding the gold field entertainer Charles Robert Thatcher and his many chaotic adventures and performances across Bendigo and Australia.

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of ambulatory patients at the back beach near the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. They are being loaded into the Red Cross combi van for the trip back to the hospital after spending time as part of the recuperation program.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, combi van, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, wounded servicemen, rehabilitation

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Diggers returning to the Red Cross Combi Van for the drive back to the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. The recuperative benefit of these trips to the beach was a major part of the treatment of the diggers.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, red cross, combi van, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers, wounded serviceman, vung tau, rehabilitation

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Carmel O'Shea, from the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. She is a Red Cross staff person and is assisting Private Dave Henderson, a wounded forward scout from 8 RAR, return to the Red Cross vehicle for the trip back from the beach.photograph, carmel o'shea, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, pte dave henderson, 8 rar, combi van, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, wounded servicemen, back beach

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of patients in ambulances being given a last minute check at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, prior to the short trip to the Vung Tau Airfield for loading and transfer to RAAF C130 medivac aircraft for the flight to Australia.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, ambulance, vung tau, vung tau airfield, raaf, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, australia, malaya

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Private Dave Henderson, a wounded forward scout from 8 RAR, as he contemplates the rolling surf at the Back Beach, near the 1st Australian Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Red Cross conducted daily trips to the beach. Pte Henderson suffered a severe leg wound, when shot by a NVA/VietCont, using an AK47 assult rifle.photograph, pte dave henderson, 8 rar, back beach, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, forward scout, nva/vietcont, ak 47