Showing 7038 items
matching trainers
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Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Mitcham Railway Station
Two early black and white photographs of the Mitcham Railway Station taken at a similar time. Pole with twisted material. Goods train at left.mitcham railway station, railway stations, railway station mitcham -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, 1925 c
Location not identified, may be either Mississippi Creek tramline, or Bairnsdale to Orbost rail line.Black and white photograph of ten men beside a train line, bushland in background. Men appear to be in working clothes. East Gippsland Victoriatransport, vegetation -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
KERR T. W
Thomas William KERR S/No #393 - papers and service record. 1 Divisional train, 1 to 4 ASC, then joined RFC in England.ww1, army -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Train coming up grade beyond Barnsbury Rd, Deepdene 1905
The Outer Circle Railway was opened in stages in 1890 and 1891, as a steam-era suburban railway line. It traversed much of the modern City of Boroondara, including the suburbs of (from north to south) Kew East, Camberwell, Burwood, Ashburton, and Malvern East. At its longest, it ran from Fairfield station, on what is today the Hurstbridge line, to Oakleigh station, on the current Pakenham and Cranbourne lines.Steam train in a cutting on the Outer Circle Railway line. Exhibition enlargement donated by Stewart West from an original owned by Miss Foley.trains, outer circle railway -
Harcourt Valley Heritage & Tourist Centre
Football Club Photograph, Harcourt Football Club Premiers Castlemaine District F L 1937, 1937
Harcourt Football Club was formed in 188 and for the first two years played social games until joining the Castlemaine District League in 1891. However the club had to wait until 1937 for its first triumph.In 1951 the club joined the Bendigo Football association with reasonable success until it moved to the Maryborough Castlemaine League in 1970. The original guernsey worn by the players was maroon with maroon stockings and blue shorts. The colours were later changed to royal blue with a gold stripe. Originally called the Apple eaters, the club has adopted the name "lions" and continues to function successflly with the added spect of fielding a highly successful netball team.Harcourt's first ever Australian Rules Football Premiership team.A group photograph of team and officials. names of players, president, vice president, secretary, trainers, coach, steward are all recorded on the mounting of the photographHarcourt Football Club Premiers Castlemaine District F L 1937 -
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - Sports, Football
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Emerald Museum & Nobelius Heritage Park
Photograph/postcard, Rose Series Postcards - Local views Barnett donation, circa 1940 - 50
Photograph/postcard of Puffing Billy crossing the trestle bridge over Belgrave/Gembrook Road, SelbyPhotograph/postcard - Rose Series (p. 343) depicting Puffing Billy crossing the Trestle Bridge BelgraveFront: The Rose Series P 343 Train Crossing Horseshoe Bridge Back: Manufacturer's details as per listed puffing billy, rose series postcards -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Ringwood railway station precinct. View from pedestrian overpass looking west towards Melbourne c.1948
Accompanying typed sheet reads, "...shows the Croydon train in the north platform ready with signal off to leave for Melbourne". -
Bright & District Historical Society operating the Bright Museum
Photograph First Bright Station, Early Train at first Bright Station and T53 loco, 1894
The first bright Railway station was made of timber and was used from 1890 to 1900. This photograph shows the first station along with an early T class steam locomotive 0-6-0, number T53There are not many photographs showing the original timber station, The early T class loco is also interesting as there are only a few photographs of this type of loco on the Ovens Valley line.Black and White photograph showing the first bright Railway Station which lasted from 1890 to 1900. Also shows an early T class locomotive (0-6-0) no T53 at the stationOne of Bright's first trains at the first station, 1890 - 1900. On the back, it has the text, 'Bright Station 1894'photograph, bright, first, station, wooden station -
National Wool Museum
Photograph - A Queensland Town, J W Allen, 1928-1929
This photograph was found loose in the first of three albums compiled and owned by J W Allen, Secretary of New South Wales Grazier's, and is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of sheep 1928-1929. The album contains photographs of travel, sheep, farms, stations, people and landscapes from around the world. Locations include Naples, Port Said, Suez, Birregurra (Vic), Alexandra (Vic), Ballangeich (Vic), Keith (SA), Mt Gambier (SA), Buckland Park (SA), Tasmania, Winton (QLD), Sydney Harbour, Canberra (ACT), Toowoomba (QLD), Rockhampton (QLD), Tocal (NSW), Deepwater (NSW), Glen Innes (NSW), Longreach (QLD), Moree (NSW), Barraba (NSW) and Mudgee (NSW). Properties depicted include Mooleric, Turkeith, Woolongoon, Minadale, Crower Station, Merrindie, Koomooloo Station, Cappeedee, Koonoona, Rathmore, Ellenthorpe, Camden Park Station, Glenlegh, Strathmore Station, Ilparran Station, Binneguy, Midkin, Terlings, Ashley, Bereen, Plumthorpe, Mayvale and Havilah. The album was found in a clean out at the Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute and donated to the National Wool Museum, along with other related material such as photographs, glass lantern slides and ephemera.Black and white photograph showing a row of buildings, with a fence in the foreground and trees in the background. back: [handwritten] B / A Queensland town – main street / from train. / Note houses on [?} – white ants / & cooleragriculture, sheep, farming, stations, research, breeding, photography, travel -
Charlton RSL Sub Branch
Photograph - Framed photo and story of 'War Cloud' horse transport, Charlton Horses to the front. WW1
Wood and glass frame with photo of horse transportPhoto of train carriages containing donated Charlton horses for the WW1 war effort. Also list of contributors and story -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Historical Special to Cudgewa, 3 November 1963
The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community. Cudgewa Line -The Cudgewa railway line opened in stages between 1889 and 1921. The first section from Wodonga to Huon opened on 10 September 1889. It was extended to Bolga on 18 July 1890, Tallangatta on 24 July 1891, Shelley on 13 June 1916 (the highest station in Victoria), Beetomba on 10 April 1919 and Cudgewa on 5 May 1921. In 1919, the line was used to carry materials for the construction of Hume Weir, and three years later a spur line connecting Ebden to the weir was opened. In the 1960s, Cudgewa became the railhead of materials for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The last passenger service from Wodonga to Tallangatta ran on 30 September 1961 The turntable and passenger platform at Cudgewa were abolished in 1976.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Historical Steam locomotive on journey to Cudgewa. Locomotive K184 leading with Driver Noel Strauss and Fireman Barrows. Locomotive K186 is the Banker with Driver Doug West. A banker is railway locomotive that temporarily assists a train that requires additional power or traction to climb a gradient. K Class Locomotives - One of VR's most successful classes of loco they were built over a 24 year period. A general purpose, light lines loco the K class had a very long career in all sorts of service from branch line passenger and goods work to pilot and banker duties and roadside mainline service. The K class is credited with working virtually every line in the VR system and hauling almost every kind of train. The majority of the class lasted into the 60's. K 184 and K186 were built by the Victorian Railways' Newport Workshops in 1945 to the successful K-class 2-8-0 locomotive design for branch-line work. K184 entered service on 9 January 1946. K186 entered service on 19 March 1946. K184 was used on heritage services with Steamrail Victoria through the 1970s. It was withdrawn from service in 1980 and is stored at Newport Workshops. and is now used as a source of spare parts; other Steamrail K Class locomotives occasionally wear its number plates and headlight number boards. K186 was scrapped on 25 October 1967.railways wodonga, fred rochow, cudgewa station, high country railway line, k class locomotives -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Photograph, sepia, c.1892
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 -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Heatherlie Quarry with Engine and carriages on the rail track
Heatherlie Quarry. Engine and carriages on rail trackTwo Black and White Photgraphs 213-4 One showing two people. One woman in the fore ground and one Male standing on the back of a Steam eanine behind carraiges. This photo is estimated to be taken between 1923- 1925.. 213-4a Black and White Photgraph showin train carriages in bushland with hills behind the carriages, and train tracks in foreground.stawell grampians industry -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Programme, Association of Railway Enthusiasts (ARE), "Official Opening of the Ballarat Tourist Tramway", Jan. 1975
Duplicated sheet on pink coloured quarto size paper, by the Association of Railway Enthusiasts, Excursion to Wendouree, Saturday 1st Feb. 1975, titled "Official Opening of the Ballarat Tourist Tramway". Gives tour details, vehicle to be used - 41DRC, arrangements for trains, photo stops, trams, and that the train would operate from Wendouree Platform. Three copies held.trams, tramways, btps, opening, celebrations, timetables, are -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Mitcham Vermont Progress Association, 1924
Four newspaper cuttings about progress in Mitcham and Vermont.Four newspaper cuttings about progress in Mitcham and Vermont. (!) dated 31 Aug 1924 Cr N. Armstrong joins staff of estate agent, F.C. Drake & Co; (2) Cr Armstrong's farewell from the Commercial Travellers Club; (3) 26 Sep 1924 about the lack of trained teachers at Vermont Primary School. Mitcham & Vermont Progress Association brought this problem to the Education Department. (4) 14 Jun 1924 Mitcham & Vermont Progress Association subsidise a bus service between these two suburbs.Four newspaper cuttings about progress in Mitcham and Vermont. clubs and associations, mitcham and vermont progress association, armstrong, norman, vermont primary school, no. 1022, bus services -
Victorian Harness Racing Heritage Collection at Lord's Raceway Bendigo
Photograph - Framed photo finish, Greg Matthews Photo, The Unicorn, 29 January 1993
The Unicorn won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 29 January 1993, followed by Bowral Boy and Guitar Magic. The Unicorn owned by PW Anderson, R Broomhall, KR Loughnan, P Pike, SL Dove & CF O'Dwyer, was trained and driven by Stephen Dove. The Unicorn raced from 1989 (2yo) through to 1995 (8yo). Career: 29 wins 18 seconds 14 thirds 94 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 29-1-93/ 1993 Southern Cross Bendigo Pacing Cup / C9 or Better At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2700 metres/ Mile rate 2.03.6/ Last Half 57.5 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: The Unicorn (Vance Hanover - Significant) / Bowral Boy 2nd / Guitar Magic 3rd Right corner: Owned by- PW Anderson, R Broomhall, KR Loughnan, P Pike, SL Dove & CF O'Dwyer/ Trained and driven by Stephen Dovebendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1993, the unicorn, stephen dove, pw anderson, r broomhall, kr loughnan, p pike, sl dove, cf o'dwyer, bowral boy, guitar magic, s dove, carl o'dwyer -
Port of Echuca
Photograph, Original photo C.1910. Copy 1984
This photograph comes from the Dowell collection. Related to P000202. At the turn of the 20th century, the railway line carried produce from southern New South Wales and the Riverina to Melbourne. Goods trains were a very important mode to transport to our region and industrialisation of Echuca. Photograph of the Murray bridge at Echuca at low river with a goods train crossing the bridge. Image is seen from bank facing north from Echuca.Recto :"MURRAY BRIDGE Echuca"; Verso: "C.1910" "Low river"dowell collection, murray river bridge , echuca, murray bridge, echuca, steam engine goods train, railway, transportation, industrialisation -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Card - Promotional Card - Victorian Railways, n.d
Victorian Railways promotional card. Shades of blue and white. View of 'Spirit of Progress' -'Edward Henty'. On the reverse of the card is a description of the train and its history.Front: 'B. VIVIAN' -pencil. 'SPIRIT OF PROGRESS VICTORIAN RAILWAYS' - printed in white, bottom leftvictorian railways -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Field Engineering & Mine Warfare Pam 8 Part 1 (All Arms) Assault River Crossing 1948, 1948
A soft covered booklet written for use of unit commanders to train junior officers and NCO's in the duties they have to carry out in the crossing of water obstacles.WO Code No 8306assault river crossing -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BADHAM COLLECTION: VICTORIAN RAILWAYS -ROLLING STOCK BRANCH FORM R.S. 12A
Victorian Railways Rolling Stock Branch form R.S. 12a - 'Driver's report of casualties, irregularities, detention to trains, small paper form faded.document, memo, railway, victorian railways -rolling stock branch form r.s. 12a - 'driver's report of casulalties , irregularities , detention to trains -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Letter - Correspondence, C.E. Husband offering two blocks of land and fares from the city to Tunstall, 1936
A letter from C.E. Husband offering two blocks of land in Walkers Road to the Council, the council refusal and a letter in the Age referring to train fares.A letter from C.E. Husband offering two blocks of land in Walkers Road to the Council, the council refusal and a letter in the Age referring to train fares.A letter from C.E. Husband offering two blocks of land in Walkers Road to the Council, the council refusal and a letter in the Age referring to train fares.walkers road, nunawading, husband, charles edward, shire of blackburn and mitcham, bishop, herbert thomas, trains -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, All aboard for a ride into history, 23/11/1999 12:00:00 AM
Eastern Standard article dated 23 November 1982 celebrating the centenary of the Camberwell - Lilydale railway, including coloured photo of the steam train used.Eastern Standard article dated 23 November 1982 celebrating the centenary of the Camberwell - Lilydale railway, including coloured photo of the steam train used.Eastern Standard article dated 23 November 1982 celebrating the centenary of the Camberwell - Lilydale railway, including coloured photo of the steam train used.railways, steam trains, camberwell - lilydale railway -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, R. Preston, Tulloh: Last NBH excursion carriage train on the line from Beech Forest, 1962, 31 March 1962
B/W. Led by locomotive G42, the last NBH excursion carriage passenger train near Friend's Road, Tulloh, on 31 March 1962.tulloh; railways; loco g42; -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, Wedding dress, circa 1939-40
This wedding dress was worn by two Brighton brides, sisters Floss and Vera McMinn, during the Second World War. The McMinn family moved to Brighton from Castlemaine around 1924, when the sisters were still children. Their father, Horace Henry McMinn, was a fruiterer and greengrocer who ran the Fruit Palace at 123 Church Street. Florence May "Floss" McMinn (1912-2007) married William Thomas Vivian on 3 February 1940 at the Brighton Church of Christ. Her sister Vera was her bridesmaid. Vera Olive McMinn (1918-2006) wore the same dress two years later when she married Geoffrey Walter Holmes on 15 August 1942 at Scotch College Chapel.Cream silk wedding dress with a long train. High neck and long sleeves. Yoke with horizontal pintucks and self-covered buttons. Side zip.wedding dress, 1940s, wartime bride, florence may mcminn, florence may vivian, vera olive mcminn, vera olive holmes -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Newspaper - Newspaper Cutting, The Herald, Our City Trees need Doctor's Care, 1956
Article in "The Herald" 08.06.1956 by John Hoffman describing the setting up of an apprenticeship in horticulture to train men to look after street trees in the City of Melbourne.the herald, john hoffman, apprenticeship, street trees, cleaning leaves, smog -
Nhill & District Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - 1953 Wedding dress of Mary Pilgrim
Mary Pilgrim married Graham Keam 1953 at Winiam Methodist Church by Rev. A. C. Boquest.The Pilgrim family has been in the district for generations, possibly one of the early pioneers of Winiam, Victoria.A charming white lace frock with a train and scalloped neckline set with diamente. Her veil of embroidered tulle was held in place with a coronet of orange blossoms.scalloped neckline set with diamente, and embroidery on veil.1953 wedding dress, pilgrim, keam, ceremonies, marriage, bride, textiles - bridal - fashion -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Book, Metro Trains Melbourne, “The Little Book of Dumb Ways to Die”, Apr. 2013
“The Little Book of Dumb Ways to Die”. Booklet associated with the public service announcement campaign made by Metro Trains in Melbourne to promote railway safety.trams, tramways, metro trains, safety, passengers, public relations, publications, publicity -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Postcard, 1908
Message on reverse: From Mabel at Tarnagulla to Zilpah Westerson at Clifcrest CunninghameBlack and white postcard showing buildings around shore line, ferry docked at business wharf , steam train around bay , township in distancetourism -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Photograph, sepia, 1907
This photograph depicts the Sister-in-charge with a group of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS,) Trained nurses, 'Nurses", with their bicycles, which were the first mode of transport purchased by MDNS in 1903. The bicycles enabled their Nurses to visit more patients over a wider area. They are identified as: L-R back row: Trained Nurses Taylor, Steele, Francis, Young. L-R front row: Isobel Curnow, Annie Roberts, Isabel Hawkes (Sister in Charge), Becker. Their uniforms were a grey cotton dress with white collar, cuffs and belt and their was a red Maltese cross on their pith helmets. They gave nursing care to the poor in the inner Melbourne and close surrounding areas (districts). On the 17th of February 1885, just 50 years after Melbourne was founded, a preliminary meeting of ladies and gentlemen who were anxious to form a society to provide "skilled nursing" for the sick poor in their own homes was held in Mrs William McCulloch’s home at Spring Street, Melbourne. At this meeting it was decided “that the association would be called the Melbourne District Nursing Society”, the first Society of its kind in Australia, and “that the special object of the Society shall be to secure skilled nursing for the sick poor in their own homes”. On the 16th of March a Committee was formed to “arrange for engaging one "duly qualified nurse”. On the 1st of May 1885 a Nurse, Mrs. Ferguson, was employed at £100 per annum, and a second Nurse, Mrs. Joanne Cannon, commenced six months later. In that era the term ‘Nurse’ was used even though they were ‘qualified’ i.e. ‘trained’ nurses. 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. They 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, as well as providing wood and coal in the winter. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. In 1913 a Nurse had her Board and residence, uniforms, bicycles and laundry expensive provided and was paid £50 a year for her first six months. At the end of a year her salary is increased by £5, and later she earns £60 a year. 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. Sepia photograph of eight Melbourne District Nursing Society Trained nurses posing with their bicycles in a park; some are partly hidden. Nurse's uniforms consist of long grey dresses with white belts, cuffs and collars and white pith helmets with a Maltese cross in the centre. Oblong leather nursing bags of varying sizes are strapped to five of the bicycles. In the centre is Sister-in-charge – Mrs Hawkes (in white); to her left are 4 Nurses and to her right 3. L-R – Front row – Trained Nurses Curnow, Roberts, (Hawkes) and Becker. Back row – Nurses Taylor, Steele, Francis and Young. Trees and a palm are in the background. The bicycles have 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 (1885-1957), bicycles, nurses, uniforms, mdns, mdns transport, rdns, royal district nursing service, trained nurse annie roberts, sister-in-charge isabel hawkes, trained nurse taylor, trained nurse steele, trained nurse francis, trained nurse young, trained nurse becker, trained nurse isobel curnow