Gilbert Rule Colletion: photo of young child sitting on elaborate cane chair. Child is dressed in white frock with lace inserts. Written on back of photo in pencil "Gladys Rule, Bendigo".person, individual, gilbert rule collection:

The donor Margaret was born in 1944 and grew up at 31 Drummond Street Blackburn. The doll was a gift at 5 years old.A walking doll A child's doll resembling a small child dressed in summer clothes and a straw hat, She has blonde hair plaited and tied with blue ribbons. The dress is floral cotton with white collar and two press studs in centre back. Floral pants match the dress. Cream net socks and cream plastic shoes.|The hat is straw with blue frill around the brim and five blue bows around the crown tied with blue ribbon. Eight items including the doll.Pedigree E#Englandtoys, dolls

Children's picture book that belonged to Phyllis Annie Diggins (nee Anderson). Phyllis and her sister Jessie Alexandra Diggins (nee Anderson) were sisters born in Bendigo. This book was donated by the son of Jessie Diggins. After leaving Bendigo the family lived in Kew. The sisters later married brothers - Joseph Diggins (Phyllis) and Victor Edgar Diggins ((Jessie). For many years the families returned to Bendigo to attend the Easter Fair, staying at the Shamrock Hotel. Phyllis was born 10.9.1908 and died 6.11.2004."Our Little Ones ABC". Book prize for Phyllis Anderson.. Printed by John F. Shaw Co. Ltd. 3 Pilgrim Street, London. Pink hard cover with red cloth bound spine. Picture of a young child dressed in a red smock on the front cover. The child is sitting on a step beside a magpie. The child is holding some cherries. Coloured illustrations with black print. Presented by AACHMY's High School as a special prize awarded to Phyllis Anderson for "Tables", 1st class 1913.Award book plate sticker from AACHMY's High School. Special Prize awarded to Phyllis Anderson for Tables, 1st class 1913.aachmy's high school, storybook, children's book

Sepia photograph of a young child in a long dress, seated with hands together on lap.lyle grace

This child’s cream silk dress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A child’s cream silk frockclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, blackburn nance, craftwork

This Child’s cream silk dress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A baby's, long, muslin, day gownclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, blackburn nance, craftwork

Gilbert Rule Collection: photo of baby sitting on elaborate cane chair. Child has white dress on. Written on rear of photo in pencil "Gladys Rule, Bendigo".Chancellor, Bendigoperson, individual, gilbert rule

Primitive Woman - First nurse was the mother - probably a "matriarchal" head of the family. Men were the hunters and absent for long periods. Women grew seeds for food and likely first medicines. Infectious diseases depleted numbers and the sick were regarded as occurring through witchcraft. This resulted in the medicine man or witch doctor.Miniature Doll dressed in brown cloth sack dress carrying child on her back. Doll is 30cm tallName tag - Primitive Womennursing history, northern district school of nursing, first nurses

John Wearne migrated to Victoria from Cornwall in 1853. He was living in the Lintons/Smythesdale district by 1858, where he had mining interests. He married Ann McGie in 1865, after his first wife Selina Harris (married 1858) died in 1860. John and Ann Wearne had ten children, all born at Linton. Photograph is part of S E Surman collection (album) page 10 top right.Sepia photograph of a bearded gentleman wearing suit, seated with hands together on lap, two children standing behind, one child standing between he and a woman wearing long sleeved long outfit and hat, seated holding a young child wearing dress and shoes on her lap."Mr and Mrs Wearne and family". wearne family, surman collection, john wearne, ann wearne nee mcgie

From the Chapman family photograph albumPhotograph on card backing. Landscape - House weatherboard miners cottage with brick chimney corrugated iron roof, front door open leading through to back yard - front yard trees and plants. Woman with two children. Woman in long dress one boy in trousers shirt and top. Younger child in dress. Henderson

From the Chapman family photograph albumPhotograph on card backing. Landscape - House weatherboard miners cottage with brick chimney corrugated iron roof, front door open leading through to back yard - front yard trees and plants. Woman with two children. Woman in long dress one boy in trousers shirt and top. Younger child in dress. Henderson

This pretty yellow, Nylon dress with jap silk petticoat was made by Mrs Sharp c1962 for her daughter. Machine embossed white flowers decorate the dress that has long waist ties, a boat collar and puff short sleeves. A metal zipper is inserted. Nylon became a very popular easy care material c 1960 so that women in City of Moorabbin, who were accomplished dressmakers, made very pretty clothes for their families. Child's yellow nylon dress with jap silk petticoat Machine embossed white flowers decorate the dress that has long waist ties, a boat collar and puff short sleeves. A metal zipper is inserted. clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

This child's green, silk, party dress was worn by Sylvia Marriott in 1927. The Marriott family were early settlers in the Moorabbin ShireMembers of the Marriott family arrived in Port Phillip in 1857. However it was John and Jane Marriott who in 1876, (after toiling hard since their arrival in1871, for very little gain), first leased, then purchased in 1882, 30 acres with a four-roomed house in East Boundary Road, in the area then called East Brighton. (Now known as East Bentleigh). The land they purchased had previously been a part of the 1841 Dendy Special Survey. Over the following years, John and his four sons with hard work and determination became prosperous vegetable growers and purchased further land in the area. Following John's retirement and subsequent death in 1903, the land was passed to his sons, and then onto the Marriott grandchildren. The family continued to remain very prosperous and successful vegetable growers and are one of many families steeped in the tradition of vegetable growing which significantly contributed to the prosperity of the Moorabbin ShireA home-sewn pale green silk party dress, worn to a wedding by four year old, Sylvia Marriott c 1927. The skirt of the dress has layers of ruffles. It has short cap sleeves. Decorative ribbons are attached at the shoulder continueing to the waist, then hang loosely over the skirt of the dress. Small pink and white ribbon rose buds have been applied at the neckline, waist and the edges of the sleeves .brighton, moorabbin, marriott, clothing, market gardeners, home, dressmaker, needlework, dendys special survey

The photograph is taken in the Waiting room of the Ante-natal Clinic at the Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home at 45 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. On the 23rd of September 1930 the Ante-Natal Clinic opened at the MDNS After- Care Home. This photograph also shows Matron and Sister's uniforms in the 1930sThe Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) were pioneers in recognizing the need for premises where patients too ill to be in their own home, but not ill enough to go to hospital, was needed, and the Society built, then opened, the After-Care Home, (later called After-Care Hospital), in 1926, for these patients, and patients from Hospitals. Many children were nursed there, some long term during the Polio epidemic and the Society employed two School Teachers. The Society now ran two divisions, the After-Care with its own Trained nurses and the District division. The Society were the first in Melbourne, in early 1928, to recognize some patients leaving the After-Care, and many at home, needed further social care and they set up ‘Almoners’ from their committee to visit these patients and be intermediaries in getting them social assistance. It was late the following year before the first training of Almoners took place in Melbourne. In 1930 the Society employed a full time kindergarten teacher to visit poor children in their homes. That year the Society were pioneers in opening an Ante-Natal Clinic at the After-Care, setting a high standard with equipment, keeping records and providing leaflets with instructions in how to keep healthy during pregnancy, what complications to look for and what to do when labour commenced. In 1934 the Society were pioneers again when they opened the first Women’s Welfare Clinic in Melbourne giving advice on birth-control, at first attended by their own patients, but then accepting patients from public hospitals until their own clinics were opened. A Social Service Officer was employed at the After-Care who successfully gained better housing from the Housing Commission for families living under unsuitable conditions. In 1957 the Hospital and Charities Commission decided to take over the After-Care Hospital, so the Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Hospital separated and the Melbourne District Nursing Service was formed, setting up Headquarters at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. On the 5th of October 1966 the name changed to Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) after being granted Royal patronage. Black and white photograph showing seventeen seated ladies, some partly hidden, six small children, and the Matron and two Sisters of the Melbourne District Nursing Society After Care Home. The Matron is wearing a white uniform and veil, and the two Sisters are wearing grey uniforms with white collars and veils, one is holding a baby and the other a small child dressed in dark clothing, they are on the far left and rear of the photograph. The ladies are wearing either grey or black clothing, several are wearing hats and some are wearing berets. They have short or shoulder length dark or lighter coloured hair. A Doctor, with short dark hair and wearing a white coat, is standing at the far right on the photograph. On the left, a window can be seen behind one of the Sisters. The wall at the rear of the room is paneled. after-care home, mdns, melbourne district nursing society, ante-natal clinic

Child's Pinafore dress with long sleeves. A tight cuff fastened with a button. Square yolk. Pleated Bodice which is long. Full pleated skirt. Opened right up the back buttoned and hooked. Belonged to Irene Crowley who passed away c1914 aged 3 or 4. Her mother kept this frock and the family found it after she had passed away. stawell clothing material

White child's dress of heavy cotton lace. Sleeveless bodice with arm holes edged with 3cm ungathered broderie type lace. High round neckline with 5cm lace flat collar. Back opening to waist with 5 x 1cm white buttons. LHS is seamed with buttons attached. RHS edge has button holes pushed through edge of lace. 5mm cotton tape is threaded through seam at neck line to form ties at the back. Skirt is made up of two layers of fabric gathered onto the bodice. Underneath layer is 25 cm deep - 12 cm plain fabric from waist with 13 cm edge of broderie type lace with scalloped edges. Top layer of 13cm of broderie type lace with scalloped edges. Unlined. Machine stitched. Skirt pieces are single pieces of lace fabric with seam at centre back.costume, children's, infant boy's dress

Carte de Visite Photographed by Bent at Batchelder's Centre of Pall Mall Sandhurst. B & W Photograph of a young child in a white dress standing beside a chair.Bent

In 1896 Ada Bersey, a daughter of William Thomas and Sarah Bersey (née Godden) married George Garnsworthy Bennett, a son of William Garnsworthy and Susan Bennett (née Williams). They had three sons, Gordon, born 1897, Harold, born 1902 and Stan, born 1904. George Bennett initially worked for his father W G Bennett, but around the time he married he bought Fraser's butchery shop in Sussex Street (next to the bakery) and established his own butchery business.Sepia photograph of a gentleman wearing three-piece suit with fob watch and lapel emblem, with right hand resting on lap, seated behind a child wearing dress with large white collar sitting on balustrade, his left arm held by woman wearing long sleeved long outfit, white blouse, seated in chair beside him. George and Ada Bennett (nee Bersey), and their son Gordon."Geo Bennett Ada Bennett and myself".george bennett, ada bennett, ada bersey, gordon bennett

Photograph of Fancy-Dressed Children after WWI celebrating the end and victory of World War One. A child is dressed in a Dutch dress, others in a dressing gown, grass skirt, a soldier with gun. The parents and other adults are in the background, some learning on the fence. There is a building the top right corner. Possible the old Ringwood sports ground in Ringwood Street. Some children have displays with "Victory" on them. Another has the British and Australian flags.

A hard backed black and white photograph of a child on a pony. The horse has a white mane and white legs. The child is formally dressed including a bonnet. In the background is a gate, front door entrance and stick fence. Behind the fence are ferns and other plants. The photographer is ? H. Smith, Photo., Kyneton.photograph, person, child and horse, lydia chancellor collection, collection, photography, photograph, photo, child, children, horse, animals, animal, costume, fashion, clothing

The Blair-Bell medal was awarded quinquennially for the advancement of science in gynaecology or obstetrics or both in the preceding five years. The image on this block was used in an article, "The Blair-Bell Award" in the Australian & New Zealand Journal O + G [1961]1:77 featuring Prof. F.J. Browne, winner of the Blair-Bell Medal, 28/10/60. Also used in obituary of Professor Browne.Metal printer's plate attached to a wooden block. The image is the official verso medal image of the Blair-Bell medal, depicting a mother and child in Greco-Roman dress. The black of the block is covered in cream paper.blair-bell award, browne fj, printing

Probably grandchild of Emma Nightingale (nee Thompson) Child seated on swing dressed in sailor suit with lace collar sailor hat has the word FOAM inscribed around head band *Needs more work to identify childFrom Emma Nightingale (nee Thompson) collection The family ran a nursery during 1940's and 50's in the vacinity of Margaret Street Avonsleigh. B/W photograph on dark card of young boy dressed in sailor suit with lace collar on swing"To Dear Grandma with from from Lettie. Our dear baby will be 5 years on Sunday Nov. 25 1906"child sailor suit nightingale (nee thompson) collection

Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 18. Portrait of child and baby, child may be Victor Thorpe, baby is sibling?Sepia studio photograph of young boy with long hair wearing short trousers, top, shoes, socks and large brimmed hat, standing with left arm resting on prop behind, right hand holding toy, beside a very young child in gathered dress shoes and socks seated beside.victor thorpe, surman collection

This petticoat dress was sewn by Mrs. van den Heuvel and her friend M/s Jos Tersteeg for Marjo van den Heuvel to wear under a white dress on the occasion of her cousin Peter Beeker's First Holy Communion.The material was obtained from one of the many parachutes that became available during the Allied offensive of 1944/45. This material was very welcome after the deprivations suffered during the 5 year German occupation. Petticoat to be worn under child's white First Communion dress, made of white parachute silk sewn in extremely tiny stitches by machine and hand. French seams are used for the sides and shoulders; the hem is handsewn. The garment is fastened at the neck with a narrow white satin ribbon.dutch, migration

Painting: 'John Donnelly at 9 years old, Blackwater Town'. Inscribed on top panel of stretcher: 'JOHN DONNELLY AT 9 YEARS / OLD / BLACKWATER TOWN'. A full length portrait of a male child in dress coat, vest, breeches and buckled shoes holding a shuttlecock and early racquet (probably a battledore). Next to figure is a hat placed on a chair. Oil painting on canvas, stretched on wood frame, and fitted with a velvet mount and bevelled wood hanging frame. Scratched into stretcher: 'ETL79'. Adhesive stickers on stretcher state:'2#' and '407'. Materials: Wood, Metal, Oil paint/Pigment, Canvas/Cotton, Adhesive label, Velvettennis

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

Sepia Kodak Print. In foreground, one woman in dark dress standing between two children; on her left a small boy wearing a jersey and short trousers. On her right a female child wearing a white dress. In the background, leaning on a wooden verandah, a male with a full head of hair, wearing a suit and tie while smoking a pipe.maggs family, till family

This photograph shows Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained Nurses (known as 'Nurse' in those days) attending to a family in the early 1900s. It also shows their uniform which had a red Maltese cross in the centre of the pith helmet. The bicycle seen is the first mode of transport purchased by MDNS in 1903. The Nurse's bag is seen strapped to the handles of the bicycle. In February 1885, 50 years after Melbourne was founded, it was recognized that nursing care was needed for the sick poor in inner Melbourne. The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), the first District Nursing Society in Australia, was founded and the decision was made to only employ fully qualified nurses who had trained in a Hospital. In those days they were known as 'Nurse'. One Trained nurse, was employed in March, and a second employed six months later. They 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 and only attended patients seen by a Doctor. They provided high quality nursing care; educated their patients in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of cleanliness, ventilation 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. Trained midwives began home births in late 1893 taking midwifery bundles and providing clothes for the babe and mother as needed. This was arduous work, 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. Over the years the Nurses complained 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. The Nurses 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 by a Doctor, 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. The Nurses liaised with the person's Doctor. 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 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. Black and white photograph of two Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses, 'Nurse', wearing their full length grey uniforms, with white collar, cuffs and belt, and white pith helmets with a Maltese cross applied. One Nurse is standing and holding her bicycle, while the other is kneeling and holding a small child. They are in the garden behind a horizontal weatherboard house. A man dressed in dark clothes is also kneeling beside the child. There is a child, dressed in white, in the doorway of the home, and a lady, dressed in a full length black dress and a white apron, is standing in front of the wooden fence in the garden. The bicycle has two large wire spoked wheels at either end of the black V shape bicycle frame; a rubber tyre runs around the outside of each wheel. The metal handlebars are a horizontal configuration and are attached with a central column into a black vertical column at the front of the V shape bicycle frame which has ‘fork shaped’ thin metal pierces running down either side of the wheel attaching the frame to the central hub of the wheel. The rear wheel is attached the same way to a central column at the rear of the frame which runs up to V shape solid seat. At the bottom of the V of the frame a pedal is attached with a rotating arm on either side of the bicycle and on the right side the rotating arm is attached to a sprocket which has a chain running around it back to a smaller sprocket on the hub of the back wheel. The chain has a thin metal guard over it. There are narrow thin metal mud guards running a short distance above the top of each wheel.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns uniforms, mdns transport, rdns, royal district nursing service

Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 4 upper right. Note the name "Lowry" is also spelled in records as "Lourey" and "Lowrey".Sepia photograph of a well dressed woman wearing long sleeved long gown with high neck and bodice decoration, seated with hands on lap, a young child in sleeveless checked dress standing leaning right arm on woman's knee, and older girl in sleeveless long dress, necklace and long hair standing with right hand on young girl's right shoulder, left arm holding a bunch of flowers by her side.mrs lowry, lowry family, surman collection

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of three men and a child. A man, Frank Wright, is bending down to shake the hand of a young boy who is seated on a small chair in the middle of a sports ground. Squatting next to him is another man, possibly his father and behind the child is a man dressed in a uniform. At the bottom of the photo, the head of another photographer can just be seen. In the background can be seen a large audience in the stands and several officials are standing watching the interaction between Frank and the child. The place is Kerkrade, the Netherlands.Hand written on the front of the mounting board - Foto Vindersfrank wright, foto vinders, kerkrade