c1900 Decorative silver 'pill boxes' were popular accessories carried in a small purse by women for evening and special occasions . This 'pill box' was used by a lady in the family of Ailsa Hunt in Moorabbin SSmall decorative silver pill boxes were a common accessory for early settler women in Moorabbin Shire c1900A small rectangular white metal pill box with gold lining, a hinged lid and snap lock machined pattern on lid with beading on edgeclothing, pill boxes, silver, pewter, brass, evening bags, victorian fashion, edwardian fashion, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, moorabbin, cheltenham, wedding dresses, evening wear,

The Water supply in Moorabbin Shire was from streams - Elster Creek - and wells so that all people , -settlers, market gardeners, and travellers - needed to take a container with them when they were away from the household.. The Canvas water bag was convenient, easy to make and could be hung on a tree branch or carried on the horse, wagon, plough or later on the bumper bar of a car or truck. The canvas water bag allowed any wind or airflow to cool down the water, even on very hot days, 21G could be 21Gills = 5pints= 2Quarts = 1/2 Gallon approx. and suitable for a day working in the field = 4 Litres similar to a mineral water bottle today.The water bag like this was the source of drinking water for market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire either when working in the fields or .travelling to the markets with their wagons loaded with produce.A canvas water bag, with an iron handle and plastic or bakelite drinking spout.H.L. HARDWARE / ...KFITH 21G, water bags, elster creek, horse drawn wagons, early settlers, market gardeners, cooking utensils, castiron cooking pots, blacksmiths, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham, melbourne,

Celluloids are a class of compounds created from nitrocellulose and camphor, with added dyes and other agents. Generally considered the first thermoplastic, it was first created as Parkesine in 1856 and as Xylonite in 1869, before being registered as Celluloid in 1870. Celluloid is easily moulded and shaped, and it was first widely used as an ivory replacement. The main use was in movie and photography film industries, which used only celluloid films prior to acetate films that were introduced in the 1950s. Celluloid is highly flammable, difficult and expensive to produce and no longer widely used, although its most common uses today are in table tennis balls, musical instruments and guitar picks. Celluloid was useful for creating cheaper jewellery, jewellery boxes, hair accessories and many items that would earlier have been manufactured from ivory, horn or other expensive animal products. It was often referred to as "Ivorine" or "French Ivory". It was also used for dressing table sets, dolls, picture frames, charms, hat pins, buttons, buckles, stringed instrument parts, accordions, fountain pens, cutlery handles and kitchen items. The main disadvantage the material had was that it was flammable.. It was soon overtaken by Bakelite.A miniature, oval, Ivorine hand mirror with floral engraving on back. An accoutrement for use in a lady's Evening bag c19thCFloral design engraving on back of mirrormoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craft work, mirors, ivorine, evening bags, celluloids, bakelite, plastics,

Object. Brown paper cake or lolly bag from Favaloro's Cafes Bendigo. Printed on one side "Favaloro's Cafes'' Confectioners Bendigo. Luncheon,Afternoon Tea and Supper Rooms, Ices and Soda Fountain Drinks a Specialty. Bolton Bros Bendigo (Manufacturer).Phones 267, 201,536,1216, Postal Box 44.ephemera, mementoes, brown paper bags

Textiles. Calico flour bag printed on both sides in black ink. 1. ''Jones, Miller & Co's Royal Self Raising Flour, 5 lbs Net. Factory Bendigo, Victoria. Coat of Arms printed in centre JM&C. Illegible signature in brown ink in one corner. 2. JONES, MILLER & CO.Self Raising Flour Factory Manufactures of Jams, Jellies, Canned Fruits, Pickles, Tomato Sauce, Chutneys, Custard Powders, Essences, Etc. Williamson & Myers Streets, Bendigo, Victoria. Telephone 73 and 19 Box 50. Collection has another in linen fabric which has been unstitched on side and bottom seams. Uncatalogued. The Bendigonian reported in 1933 that Jones, Miller and Company had an up-to-date factory that had already gained a standard of excellence for Bendigo pure food products.textiles, domestic, jones, miller & co flour bags

The MDNS Sisters are packing their belongs ready to move from their current Nurses Home at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood to their new Nurses Home and Headquarters situated at 452 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, then known as 'Airlie'. From its founding in 1885 until 1891 the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). The Committee meetings were held at the Religious Tract Society rooms at Queen’s walk, off Swanston Street and then at the Library Room at the Melbourne Town Hall. The Annual General Meeting was held at the Town Hall. In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Nurses and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. They left from their Nurses Home each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurse, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered for e.g. to Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy where they remained for ten years. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funds to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which was their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door, running from 41-47 Victoria Parade (became No. 45). There were now two divisions with the After Care having their owned Trained nurses (Sisters) and the District Division of Trained nurses (Sisters) who continued to live at No. 39. In November 1953 the Sisters working in the District Nursing Division moved into their new Headquarters and Nurses Home at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. In 1957 this Division changed its name to the Melbourne District Nursing Service when it separated from the After-Care Hospital. It was given Royal patronage in 1966 and became Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). As it expanded, and now with Centres opening throughout the suburbs, the Nurses Home at 452 closed and those rooms used for administrative purposes. It now had outlying districts to service, and with a full fleet of District cars, the Sisters lived in their own homes and visited their closest District Centre each morning to collect their work for the day and returned there at the end of their community duties to do their administrative work. On April the 1st 1996 RDNS Head Office relocated to 31 Alma Road, St. Kilda. Standing in a semi circle of this photograph are 5 Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Sisters in their long sleeve grey uniform dresses which have a belt, peaked collars and white buttons down the centre. They are wearing their grey brimmed hats with a central Maltese cross on the light colour headband over their short dark curled hair. From Left to Right are Sisters Marianne Metcalf who is smiling and is holding a tennis racket and soft sided oblong travel bag which has two leather straps and handle in her right hand; it is resting on a closed case, which has two leather straps across the lid; this sits in front of her. Next is Gerda Oppenheim who is looking serious and has her right hand on the top of the lid of an open case in front of her, then Beryl Rowley, who is smiling and has her hands on a narrow white metal horizontal pole which has a vertical pole attached. Next is Marcia Parrat who is smiling and is holding a piece of white linen on the open case, and next, on the far right, is Florence Hoey who is holding a piece of white linen on top of an open hard leather travelling bag which is sitting in front of her next to the closed case. melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns headquarters, sister marianne metcalf, sister gerda oppenheim, sister beryl rowley, sister marcia parrat, sister florence hoey, royal district nursing service, rdns

Has a strong association with Theo Dunstan Inspector in Ballarat; would have been issued to crews in order to hold coins within their cash bags.Manufactured coin dispenser for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins, made from blue, white and red plastic with metal springs under each red coin support plate. Held in position by three metal screws. Manufactured by Victorlite Pty Ltd, Melbourne. The one and 20 cent coin plates are missing.tram, trams, fares, cash handling, tickets

Donor believes items were completed by her great aunts - Lydia, Rosa and Olivia Pollard when the sisters were young girls. They were completed in Country Durham England. The items have been passed down through the family.Handmade brown embroidered lingerie/garment bag with gold and green embroidered border with four insect type patterns surrounding a decorative central pattern. The fold over front is lined with a light fabric with a pattern of flowers and butterflies predominately in gold, blue and green tones reflecting the patterns of the embroidered front cover.late victorian needlework, handmade embroidery, lingerie bag, garment bags

Yields information about the group of conductresses who were trained in 1942 to release their husbands for the war effort, shows them in uniform with bags.239 - Reproduction of a 1942 photograph that appeared in the Christmas New Year issue of SEC News, (1942-43), p13 showing Ballarat's tram Conductresses, traffic clerks standing in front of SECV tram 29, - laminated with 4 Velcro dots on rear. Copy negative of another copy held by Museum. 239.1 - unlaminated copy of same photograph - added 6/8/2002. Copy 2 - ex Alan Bradley's collection of photographs added 31/7/2007. 293.2 - mounted print on black cardboard with adhesive marks on rear. Both Copy 2 or 2391.1 and 239.2 ex Alan Bradley 5/2007. trams, tramways, ballarat trams, secv, conductresses, world war ii , tram 29

White cotton laundry bag with tie. Embroidered with the word Linen and leaves. Red embroidered marker at endEmbroidered word: LINENlaundry bags, household textiles

Silver metalwork chain purses were made in tiny coils and formed into patterns in the early nineteenth century. This example is made of fine silver mesh.This item formed part of a large collection of items collected by Dorothy Rogers, a notable local historian and founding member of the Kew Historical Society.Hand-linked silver rings, with silver frame and clasp.purses, bags - handbags, fashion accessories, clothing accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Hand-beaded evening purse, with silver frame and finger ring. While the note accompanying the item states that it was made and used in the 1880s, the label 'Made in France' would indicate that it was probably made in the first decade of the twentieth century.Label: "Made in France / Hand-made". A note which accompanies the item states: "Hand beaded evening purse, 1880s. Frequently used when formal dinner dances were held in the Kew mansions." [Editor - See correct date in Physical description]fashion accessories, clothing accessories, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- purses

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Hand-made crocheted or lace reticule with a long cord and a flap opening. The bag is lined with cream voile. It relies on different kinds of stitching for its decorative effects as well as rosettes and round pom-poms.fashion accessories, clothing accessories, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- reticules, bags -- purses

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Woven, lidded raffia straw reticule with dried raffia lowers used as decoration.women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- reticules, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Machine woven tapestry evening bag on metal frameevening bags, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- reticules, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products.An earlier inventory of the collection identified an Eighteenth century French evening bag. While the frame shows some affinities with models of that period, its dating has provisionally been made to the Nineteenth century, until expert advice is sourced.Densely beaded evening bag on a gilded metal frame. The beads are woven in a a variety of abstract and geometric patters, including a cross within an octagon at centre. The bag is held by a white metal chain.evening bags, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Beaded evening bag on white metal framewomen's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- reticules, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Rectangular black silk art deco style evening bag with a white metal clasp set with diamentes.Label: "David Jones / Made in Italy"evening bags, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Jack Eaton Handbags Pty Ltd was a designer/manufacturer located at 175d Liverpool Street, Sydney. The earliest known reference to the company was in the Sydney Morning Herald in 1954. The company appears to have been liquidated in 1970. Black calf art deco style evening bag with a white metal clasp. The bag was made by Jack Eaton Handbags Pty Ltd of New South Walespurses, bags - handbags, fashion accessories, evening bags

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products.Brown crocodile skin handbag manufactured by Hollywood Handbags of New South Walesbags - handbags, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products.Beaded reticule with a fringe and handle of blue class beads. The internal prose has a blue silk lining and a pink silk outer encased in beaded net. Based on an examination of the fabric, the reticule has been dated to the 1880s.women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- reticules, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products.Black evening bag with fabric covered metal frame. Flat black strap. Same colour cornelli embroidered exterior decoration.handbags, evening bags, fashion accessories, grace james collection

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Gold brocade evening bag with metal chainevening bags, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products.White enamel mesh evening bag by Oroton.evening bags, fashion accessories, oroton, yvonne knight

The original owner of the evening bag was Elizabeth (Betty) McGregor. The bag was a gift from her husband, Ian McGregor (Managing Director of Ingersoll Rand), during a trip to Europe. The bag was purchased in Burlington Arcade, London in 1955. An accompanying photograph shows Betty, in attendance at a Captain's cocktail party with the evening bag on her arm. Betty was the best friend of the my mother, and not having children of their own, Betty and Ian were very good to my sister and I. Betty gifted the bag to me in 1983. As a Kew resident, it gives me much pleasure to pass on this evening bag to the Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society. (Kate Reeve, 2022)Small brass evening bag, covered with black silk and rhinestones. The box is of a flattened cylindrical shape with a looped handle. The lid of the bag is hinged on one side and contains a mirror on its interior. Inside the evening bag is a small black silk purse attached to the bag with a brass chainNilfashion & design - 1950s, accessories, evening bags

This is the first photograph taken of Trained nurses, who worked with the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) and has been kept in their Archives (now RDNS) since that time. The photograph, taken about 1892, records the uniforms worn by MDNS Nurses in that era, and records images of Nurse Kennedy, who commenced with the Society at the end of 1891, and worked in the Western District of the CBD until the end of 1893; and Lucy Smith who worked in the Eastern District of the CBD between April 1892 - June 1893 when she left to get married. Nurse Smith trained at the Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas's Hospital in London, the first professional nursing school in the world and as such she was given the position of the first 'Head Nurse' at MDNS. Though Florence Nightingale never worked at St. Thomas’s she did form the curriculum for the nurses training and received regular reports regarding the probationers, as well as receiving the nurses in her home during the latter part of their training. According to Lucy's family she met Florence Nightingale. The photograph shows two of the three Trained nurses employed by MDNS at that time. All Nurses employed by MDNS from its inception in 1885 were trained and received their qualification in a Hospital, but in those times were called 'Nurse'. In Melbourne in 1885 it was recognized that skilled nursing was needed in the inner city 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 other towns’ in UK. On that day the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded, the first District Nursing Society 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 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 Trained 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. Lady Janet Clarke, a philanthropist, was one of the first two Vice-presidents and President from 1888 until 1908 (except when overseas); she was a driving force in the Society. She held the first fund raiser for the Society at her home ‘Cliveden’ and went on to help organize many functions where she, along with Committee members, manned the stalls to raise funds. She also took her turn to accompany the Nurse, and was noted for her kindness and benevolence. Over the years the Committee, which was made up of 80% ladies, worked tirelessly for the Society; many Auxiliaries were formed. A second Trained nurse, Mrs. Joanna Cannon, was employed in late 1885, with a trial period of six months which was extended. She and Mrs Ferguson were the stalwarts of the Society in the early years, Nurse Cannon remaining with the Society for four years and Nurse Ferguson for five years, though both had a short break due to the heaviness of the work. Nurse’s salaries were reduced to account for the cost of uniforms, and again in later years when establishments were rented by the Society and the nurses could now live in the Nurses Home. 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 cooked soup when needed. As the work increased a third Trained 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. In 1891 the first Nurses Home was rented for 1 year at £65 per annum at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton; Nurses wages were now £60 per annum. A Doctor gave lectures from the Home to the public on the understanding and prevention of diseases. The Society decided to commence a Midwifery Service and Nurse Fowler, who had previously worked for the Society, was re-employed as their first trained Midwife. She began home births in August 1893 giving them Ante Natal care, taking midwifery bundles and providing clothes for the babe and mother as needed. Following birth, she gave Post-natal care to the mother and babe twice a day for three days and then daily for a week, and longer if required. She resigned after twelve months and Nurse Wilkie was appointed to the position. As well as walking, the nurses used Public transport in the limited areas it ran, though a taxi was used by the Nurses and Midwife in emergencies and at night. Late in 1891 the Society moved to larger rented premises at 49 Drummond Street and in 1902 moved to 188 Leicester Street, Carlton Sepia Photograph of two Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), Trained nurses; on the left is Nurse Kennedy (sitting) and to the right Nurse Lucy Smith (standing). They are wearing the MDNS uniform of a long grey frock. Over this they are wearing a grey long sleeve jacket with self buttons down the centre. The jacket forms a V at the waist. Nurse Kennedy has a round visage with her central parted dark hair drawn back. She is wearing ear rings and holds the top of a closed umbrella in her left hand, the feral rests on the ground. She has a straw hat in her right hand. Nurse Smith has a long visage; is wearing ear rings and her central parted dark hair is drawn back. Her right arm is extended holding the back of the chair on which Nurse Kennedy sits. melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns uniforms, mdns first 'head nurse', rdns, royal district nursing service, trained nurse kennedy, trained nurse lucy smith

This Certificate was presented to Trained nurse, known as 'Nurse' in those days, Nettie Osborne on completion of six months employment with Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS). This is the only example of a MDNS Nurses certificate in the RDNS collection. In 1913 the MDNS Nurses had their board and residence, uniforms, bicycles and laundry expenses provided. Newly employed Nurses were paid £50 a year for her first six months. At the end of a year her salary was increased by £5, and later she earned £60 a year. .Following the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in February 1885 to care for the sick poor in Melbourne, subsequent meetings were held to form a Committee and to draw up a Code of Rules of the Society. It was decided that only nurses who had attended a Hospital Nurses Training School and were fully qualified would be employed by the Society. After interviewing several candidates, it was on the first of May 1885 when the first Trained nurse, known as 'Nurse' in those days, Mrs. Ferguson, was employed by MDNS with a salary of £100 per annum. 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 agreed to assist the Nurse with advice at any time. In rotation, a member of the Superintendence Sub-Committee supervised the Nurse’s visits and could assist to alleviate some poor social conditions they found. A second Nurse, Mrs. Joanna Cannon was employed by MDNS six months later, with a trial period of six months which was extended. They were the stalwarts of the Society in the early years, Nurse Cannon remaining with the Society for four years and Nurse Ferguson for five years, though both had a short break due to illness through the heaviness of the work. Nurses salaries were reduced to account for the cost of uniforms, and then when establishments were rented by the Society and the Nurses could now live in the Nurses Home. The Nurses worked in the now CBD, ie from Spencer Street to Spring Street and from Victoria Parade to Flinders Street. From its inception the Society was at the forefront of health care. They liaised with Doctors and provided high quality trained nursing care; educated their patients in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of cleanliness, fresh air and good nutrition, both by verbal instruction and demonstration, even supplying soup and milk when needed. At that time they walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of inner Melbourne carrying their nursing bag 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. They provided 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. 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 Trained Midwife was employed in August 1893. The work was arduous, particularly in the heat of summer. Permission to use bicycles was given to the Nurses in 1898 and the Society decided to purchase their own in 1903. A business man offered ‘new free wheel’ bicycles at £13 each which included maintenance for one year. Bells and wooden frames were added, at a cost of £5 per frame, so the Nurses could carry extra equipment. Nurses’ bags were strapped to the handlebars. Soup was made for those in need 2-3 times a week and if patients could not arrange to have it collected the soup was delivered by the Nurses on their bicycles. The use of bicycles caused a change in uniform, with white pith helmets, and veils covering them and tied under their chin, now being used; straw hats were worn in summer. Over the years the Nurses complained that their veils became wet in the rain and asked for a change of uniform but this did not occur until 1921. Bicycles continued to be used in inner areas until 1945. Public transport was also used over the years, in conjunction with a Motor Auxiliary from 1929 to 1971. MDNS began with its own small fleet of vehicles in the early 1950s which gradually expanded into a full fleet.The coloured Certificate is made of white paper attached to a buff card forming a boarder. It is in gold print on the white background which has a thin gold border. In large bold script are the words "Melbourne District Nursing Society" In between the words "District" and "Nursing" is a red Maltese cross which extends above and below the writing. Underneath this, in smaller capital letters, are the words "For Nursing Sick Poor In Their Own Homes"/. Below this in bold script are the words "This is to Certify that"/. Under this, written in black handwriting, is "Nurse Nettie Osborne"/; below this in script is "has acted in the capacity of District Nurse", then in black handwriting the words "Six Months"/. The next two lines read "having fulfilled her Duties to the satisfaction of her Committee, /"and appreciation of her Patients". The Certificate is signed in black by Mary Leeper, Vice President; Kate Hood; Hon. Treasurer; C.M. Tatham Hon. Secretary, and has Date; 8th July 1913 in black handwriting. On paper attached with tape to the back of the Certificate, is a copy of a photograph of two unidentified people. [Possibly Nettie and her husband]. Some small marks, and in one area a small area of cracking is seen on the white background of the certificate.certificates, mdns, melbourne district nursing society, rdns, royal district nursing service, nurse nettie osborne