The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses (Sisters) are receiving their morning briefing from Matron D. Tupper before leaving their Headquarters at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood to go to their areas (districts) in the Melbourne suburbs to give nursing care to patients in their homes The Sisters averaged 30 calls a day each, mainly wound dressings; personal care, mostly sponges in bed; and injections (insulin and diabetes management). 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, 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.This photograph depicts five Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Sisters of varying heights standing in a row. They are wearing their grey long sleeve uniform dresses which have peaked collars, a pocket on the upper left and lower right, and white buttons down the centre. They are all wearing their grey brimmed hats over their short dark curled hair. From left to right is Sister (Sr) J Faust, who is looking down at a clipboard she is holding in her left hand which has paper held on it by a black bulldog clip. There is writing on the top sheet of white paper and she is holding a pen in her right hand poised near a section of writing on the paper. Next is Sr. M Sexton who is looking at the camera, then Sr. B Nunn who is looking towards a mainly hidden person on the far right. The next two are Sr E Blair, who has items in her lower pocket, and Sr B White who are both looking at the clipboard and paper held by Sr. Faust. In the far lower right corner of the photograph you can see the fingers of hands holding a sheet of paper. There is no further vision of this person.Operator 59. Finisher 30melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns uniforms, royal district nursing service, rdns, sister j. faust, sister m. sexton, sister b. nunn, sister e. blair, sister b. white

L-R: Sr Sheila Prendergast & Sr Margaret Williamswilliams, ballarat, hospital, 1940s, prendergast

L-R: Sr Ruth Tippett & Sr Margaret Yingtippett, ying, prendergast, ballarat, hospital, 1940s

Sr Bradby & Sr Orr, 1940s, Ballarat & District Hospitalbradby, orr, sisters, prendergast, 1940s, ballarat, hospital

L-R: Norma Moulton (CSSD), Ralf Stout (CSSD), Sr Joyce Eckersley (Assistant Matron), Sr Nell Edmonston, Sr Lois Baker (CSSD).eckerskey, farewell, ballarat base hospital, moulton, ballarat, stout, edmonston, baker, 1970, cssd

L-R: Sr Sheila Prendergast (Prendy) & Sr Therese Prunty (Prunty)prendergast, prendy, prunty, sisters, ballarat hospital

Garden Party - Sr Phil O"Keane & Sr Joyce Eckersley - 1940so'keane, eckersley, 1940s, garden party, ballarat, hospital, prendergast

Gala Day Hospital Float. L-R: Sr Long & Sr Kellygala day, long, kelly, float, ballarat, hospital, 1940s, prendergast

Sr Sheila Prendergast, Sr Elsa Wilkie with twins, mother & father at backprendergast, wilkie, twins, midwifery, ballarat, hospital, 1940s

Ron Setford and his wife Grace Setford lived in Tanner Avenue, East Kew, from c.1946 to c.1995. A keen photographer, he recorded the changing face of Kew over a 20 year period. Apart from 30 photographs of built structures and places in Kew dating from 1960 and 1961, 145 of his 35mm colour slides chronicle the development of the F19 (later renamed Eastern) Freeway through the Yarra Valley in Kew over a five year period from c.1972 to c.1977. This important collection was donated to the Society by his granddaughter in 2025.This collection of 175 35mm slides is of local and statewide significance, owing to its subject matter, particularly the major development of road transport infrastructure during the 1970s with the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The photographer also took care to annotate and date most of his slides which enable the researcher to pinpoint temporal and spatial locations.Workers and equipment at the beginning of construction of the Eastern (F19) Freeway in 1972. The site was identified by the photographer as being at the corner of the Chandler Highway, Earl Street and Princess Street."Eastern Fwy / Cnr Princess Sr Chandler Hwy Earl St / Feb 72"ron setford, eastern freeway, f19 freeway

L-R: Dr Griffiths, DR Trudinger, Neil, Sr Alice Fechner, Sr Sheila Prendergastgriffiths, trudinger, fechner, prendergast, 1940s, dr, ballarat, hospital

L-R: Nr Josephine Lawery, Sr Mavis Orr, Sr Sheila Prendergast, Nr Grace Fletcherlawery, orr, prendergast, fletcher, nurses, ballarat, hospital

Front L-R: Dr J. Acheson (Medical Sup), Sr Betty Wilson (Dep Matron), Mr I. McVilly (Manager), Miss M.S. Ogden (Matron), Sr Winsome Menadue (Asst Matron), Sr M. Ormsby (Clinical Sup), Sr Grace Cameron (Midwifery Sup). Taken on Front Steps, Eildon House, Drummond St, BallaratPhoto1973, medical, senior, junior, residents, nursing staff

Letter sent to family of Private John Smith 7181 14th Btn kia 20/8/1918 from Sr Foster 55 Casualty Clearing Station

The North Kew Baby Health Centre was located in Peel Street, Kew. It opened in 1930 and closed in 1992.Item with strong provenance used at the a local Kew baby health centre in the 1950sGreen and white enamel oval baby bath donated by Sr Bell of the North Kew Baby Health Centre following its closure in 1992 after 62 years.north kew baby health centre, babies' baths

Black and white photograph of a Champion Hereford cowThis item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.Champion Jr and Res, Sr, Hereford cow. Coliban Best Girl 31st. RL McRachern Strathdownieroyal melbourne show, cattle, hereford, cow, winners, agricultural shows, blue ribbon competition, mcrachern, rl mcrachern

Sister Barbara Watson is an RDNS Liaison Officer and is meeting with Hospital staff and a patient in a Ward at the Alfred Hospital before the patient is discharged home where he will receive the nursing care required from a visiting RDNS Sister. Sr. Watson is wearing her RDNS winter uniform, which is a blue/grey skivvie worn under a V neck tunic style frock made of herringbone blue/grey winter material.Liaison had occurred between doctors and the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885. This increased when Midwifery was introduced in August 1893 with close liaising with the Women’s Hospital. As District nursing grew it was recognized that closer liaising between many Public Hospitals would be beneficial, for not only the MDNS, later called Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Trained nurses (Sisters) but also for the patients and the hospitals. In August 1964 a Liaison Officer commenced at the Alfred Hospital. This soon increased to Liaison Officers working full time at several Public Hospitals. They facilitated the smooth transition from hospital to home for many patients who required ongoing nursing care. Liaison Sisters regularly attended discharge planning meetings, interviewed prospective patients, coordinated discharge and booked the first visit by the visiting RDNS District Sister. At the time of a patient’s discharge, the Liaison Sister forwarded information on their diagnosis and instructions regarding the care required at home to the appropriate RDNS Centre, and in turn the attending District Sister wrote a report of progress and any queries to the hospital Doctor, via the Liaison Sister, at the time the patient was attending outpatients. Any new instructions were then sent back to the District Sister. Liaising also occurred between District Sisters and Doctors when patients were referred by General Practitioners and did not attend a Hospital.Black and white photograph showing Royal District Nursing Service, RDNS, Sister (Sr.) Barbara Watson who is standing with hospital staff and with a patient who is resting in a hospital bed. On the left foreground of the photograph is Sr. Watson, who has blonde shoulder length curled hair and is wearing her RDNS uniform of a light grey skivvie worn under a darker grey V neck tunic style frock. She has her head turned to the left looking at the patient. Next right stands a Doctor, who is wearing glasses and has short dark hair. He is wearing his hospital white coat over his clothes and has his arms folded across his chest. Next right is another Doctor who is at the head of the hospital bed; He has short dark hair and is wearing his white hospital coat over a grey shirt. black tie and dark grey pants. They are all smiling at an elderly man who is sitting up in the bed resting against a white pillow and looking toward them. He is wearing glasses; has short dark sparse hair and is wearing a dark coloured pyjama coat with some white piping, and a white handkerchief in the pocket. He is looking at the three and has his hands clasped on top of the bedclothes. The hospital bed has a white iron frame and an 'over bed table' is at its foot and in the foreground of the photograph. On the right of the bed is a hospital Sister, who has short dark hair; is wearing glasses and wearing her white uniform dress and cap. She is smiling as she looks toward the patient and Doctors. A hospital curtain is against the wall behind her. Part of a window and curtain are seen on the far left of the photograph.Photographer stamp. Quote No. LA 6 Name of hospital and RDNS liaison sister.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns liaison, sister barbara watson

Sr Sheila Prendergast, 1944prendergast, 1940s, ballarat, hospital

Sr. Pat (Paddy) Rowley is the Principal Nurse Educator at RDNS and is giving a lecture to RDNS Sisters in the Education Department at 452 St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne. She is wearing the RDNS summer uniform of a white short sleeve blouse under a royal blue V neck tunic style frock with the RDNS insignia on the upper left.Education was an integral part of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885, later, in 1966, called Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS). From 1885, only Trained Nurses (Nurses), through the Hospital training system, were employed by the Society, and on visits to patients they taught the necessity of hygiene and cleanliness, as well as the need for a good diet, to bring about good health. Doctor’s lectures were later given at the MDNS home to instruct patients and their families on prevention of disease. Education to patients continued throughout the years regarding health care and the use of equipment in the home. In 1961, Education programs commenced at MDNS with Trained nurses (Sisters) receiving In-service education. Sr. Pat (Paddy) Rowley was a leader in In-service Education and established the RDNS Department of Community Nursing Education in 1962. Staff could also apply for scholarships to further their education outside of RDNS. Many of their senior Sisters received Postgraduate diplomas from the College of Nursing in Community Health Nursing, Education, and Administration, and several travelled overseas visiting nursing organizations viewing their public health and District nursing systems. At RDNS many programs were run, including: a Post Basic Course, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nursing, Haematology/Oncology Nursing, Palliative Care program, Diabetic Stabilization Program, Leg Ulcer Management Program, Wound Care Specialist Program, HIV/AIDS Nursing Care, Cystic Fibrosis Home Support, Veterans Home Care Program, Breast Cancer Support Program, Continence Management Program, Stomal Therapy Program, In-Home Lactation Support Program and the Homeless Persons Program. RDNS Sisters attended several hospitals to observe and learn special care needed to some patients, e.g. to the Austin Hospital to learn the care required for paraplegic and quadriplegic patients at home, and to Mount Royal Hospital to observe the care of patients in the Rehabilitation ward. A Community Nursing Education Program was extended to student nurses from hospitals and to other nursing organizations. These Education programs kept the RDNS Sisters abreast of new techniques, such as changes in technology for e.g. new testing methods in detecting glucose levels in Diabetic patients. Sr. Nan Deakin obtained a Post Basic Certificate in Psychiatric Nursing and included this area in her Education lectures. Sr. Daphne Geldard specialized in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. These Sisters visited patients in District areas with the regular RDNS Sister when required. Every member of staff, both professional and non professional staff, received regular education in the Education Department. In 1980, a Home Health Aide pilot study, funded by the Federal Government, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and RDNS, with the program written and taught by Sr. Rowley, was evaluated as successful, and Home Health Aides were employed and worked in RDNS Centres under the supervision of the RDNS Sisters. This black and white photograph shows Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister Pat (Paddy) Rowley and seventeen (some partly hidden), Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters. The bulk of the photograph shows the front view of three rows of RDNS Sisters sitting at tables which have books and sheets of paper on them. The Sisters are wearing a variety of day clothes. In the right foreground of the Photograph is a table containing papers, and standing to its right, facing the group, is the back view of Sr. Rowley, who has short dark hair and glasses. She has her left hand on a sheet of paper on the table. She is wearing her RDNS uniform of a white short sleeve blouse under a dark tunic style frock. In the rear of the photograph a brick fireplace can be seen with some books and a vase of flowers on the mantelpiece. On the right is a long curtain, some lockers and an open wooden door with glass panel. Some of the Sisters named are:- Ann Greenwood, Judy Peter, Ethel Fullarton, Barbara Lovell, Shirley Lewis, Jane Ball..Barry Sutton Stamp. Quote LY 68royal district nursing service (1966-2017), rdns, rdns education, sister ethel fullerton, sister barbara lovell, sister shirley lewis, sister jane ball, sister pat (paddy) rowley, sister ann greenwood, sister judy peter

Account/Receipt written on blue paper and dated Sep 19/76. Sr. To William Mann To Writing Name on Respect Board 7/6. Paid W. Mann, Sept 22.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no 3770 collection - account/receipt, court king of the forest, william mann

Letter to BHS 4/1/76 re: Allen, William Sr. and Jr. from Mrs Mary Stuart, Canterbury, Vic. Some details of lives of both are presented by Mrs Stuart.Mrs Stuartperson, individual, william allen, william allen, gold rush, congrational minister sandhurst.

RDNS Sr. Clare McHugh is attending Mr. Stevenson in his home to give him nursing care. She is about to fasten the wheelchair safety belt across Mr. Stevenson's lap to ensure he does not fall out of the wheelchair. The Trained nurses (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. The RDNS Trained nurses (Sisters) visited patients from many different cultural backgrounds, and Education was given to their Sisters to assist them when speaking with the patients and giving them care. 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. In the centre of this black and white photograph is Mr. Stevenson, an elderly gentleman, who has balding light hair; is wearing dark rimmed glasses, and is wearing a black cardigan over a grey shirt. A small amount of his grey trousers can be seen. He is sitting in a wheelchair and is looking at the camera. He has a light coloured small blanket tucked under and over the stumps of his above the knee amputated legs. Standing behind his chair, and slightly to his left, is a lady who is wearing glasses; has wavy light grey hair and is wearing a dark grey cardigan over her light coloured patterned frock. Her right hand is seen holding the handle of the wheelchair, and she is looking down at Mr. Stevenson. To the right is Sister Clare McHugh of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), who is slightly bent as she has her hands on the left and right sides of the safety belt across Mr. Stevenson's lap. The belt is attached to either side of the wheelchair. Sr. McHugh has straight blonde hair; only part of her face can be seen as she looks at Mr. Stevenson. She is wearing a white gown over her uniform. In the left background is part of a brick fireplace with wood mantelpiece. A patterned plate and dark items are on the left of the mantelpiece and flowers are seen on the right. Above this, part of a square mirror can be seen. To the right, part of a lounge chair is seen and behind this, an open check curtain and part of a voile curtain is seen. The floor is covered with a light and dark patterned carpet.Barry Sutton LW 6 Namesroyal district nursing service, rdns, rdns nursing care, rdns physiotherapy, sister clare mchugh, mr stevenson

Sr McGrath & babe Scott, 1940smcgrath, scott, babe, ballarat, hospital, 1940s

Photograph of Sir Frank Beaurepaire and WH Greaves standing at a desk and reviewing some papers being passed between themBlack and white photograph of Sr Frank Beaurepaire and Mr WH Greaves standing in front of a desk and reviewing some papers passing between them, accompanied by a with compliments slip which was attached to the photographStamp at rear indicating copyright of the Age or the Argus Melbournewh greaves collection, greaves, beaurepaire, sir frank beaurepaire, city of st kilda, st kilda

Operating Theatre - Dr Davidson & Sr Kellyoperating theatre, davidson, kelly, 1940s, ballarat, hospital, prendergast

Sr McGrath - Ballarat & District Hospital, 1940smcgrath, prendergast, ballarat, hospital, 1940s