In 1930 the Society were pioneers in opening an Ante-Natal Clinic at the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) After-Care Home, 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. This image was taken in the Ante-Natal Clinic and shows some of the equipment used at that time and the uniforms worn by Trained nurses (Sisters) in the 1930s. Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded in 1885 and only nurses who had trained in a Hospital Training School and were fully qualified were employed by the Society. It commenced with one Trained nurse (Nurse), and another employed six months later; both walking amid the slums of inner Melbourne administering nursing care to the sick poor. 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 some 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. As the Society expanded it rented premises until it was able to purchase it's own Nurses Home at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood in 1914. The Society 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. Land was procured next to No. 39, and the Society built the After-Care Home at 45 Victoria Parade, for these patients, and for patients from Hospitals. It was opened in July 1926 and the name of the Society then became ‘Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Home’ (‘Hospital’ from 1934) The Ante-Natal Clinic at the Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home was opened on the 23rd of September 1930 and MDNS Midwifery patients were encouraged to attend. Prior to the opening of the clinic Ante-natal care was not considered important, but within a short time 100 percent of MDNS Midwifery patients were attending. During 1934 the Women’s Welfare Clinic, including at the time a very controversial Family Planning Clinic, the first of its kind in Australia, was opened to support women at risk following multiple and difficult pregnancies. The Clinic gave advice on birth-control and was attended by their own patients at first, but then accepted patients from Melbourne public hospitals until their own clinics were opened.Digital image showing a Doctor and three Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Sisters attending a patient in the Ante-Natal Clinic at the After Care Hospital. In the forefront is a set of scales standing on the floor, behind which is the lady lying on a wooden framed bed with the base slightly raised at the top end supporting a white pillow and the lady's head. The lady has short dark hair and her frock can be seen to her waist; the rest of her body is covered by a white sheet and dark coloured blanket. Behind her and to the right of the image, are two Sisters wearing dark coloured long sleeved uniforms which have a belt and white collar; they are both wearing white veils over their short dart hair. To their left is a Doctor who has short dart wavy hair and is looking down at the lady. He is wearing a long white gown and has a stethoscope in his ears with the other end held in his right hand. To his left is another Sister who is wearing a white veil over her dark curled hair, and is wearing a long white gown. In the rear between the Doctor and Sister a hand basin can be seen. On the far left of the picture a trolley with two cloth covered shelves can be seen; a basin and squat bottle sits on the top shelf and kidney dish on the lower one. Behind this, part of a window can be seen.after- care hospital, 45 victoria parade collingwood, melbourne district nursing society (1885-1957), ante-natal clinic, after-care home, mdns midwifery, rdns, royal district nursing service

Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) moved into 452 St. Kilda Road, in 1953. Seven Ford Prefect cars were purchased by the Society in the early 1950s which became the beginning of a full MDNS, later called Royal District Nursing Service, fleet of cars which would be used by their District nurses to visit patients in the community over the next years.In 1875 J.B.Scott purchased Crown Land on the corner of St Kilda Road and Arthur Street. During the 1890’s an “unpretentious grey building” was built on the site. Known as ‘Airlie’, major additions were carried out during the 1920s and 30s to this historic mansion. From its founding in 1885 until 1891 the Trained nurse (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Trained nurses (Nurses) and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. The Nurses left from there each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurses, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered for e.g. Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. They remained there for ten years. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funding to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which was their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door to No. 39, running from 41-47 Victoria Parade (became No. 45); the District Trained nurses (Sisters) continued to live at No. 39. In 1953 ‘Airlie’ at 452 St Kilda Road was offered by the Government as part of an agreement to split the management of the Society and the After Care Hospital. On 26th November 1953 the MDNS moved its Headquarters to 452 St Kilda Road. Renovations and alterations were however restricted by limited funds so it was not until 1/12/1954 that the Hon. W. P. Barry, Minister of Health, officially opened the building. MDNS was given Royal patronage in 1966 and became Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). In January 1983, Headquarters of the Royal District Nursing Service at 452 St Kilda Road was classified by the National Trust. The citation in support of the classification said “The house is of historical interest as the boyhood home of Stanley Melbourne Bruce, later Lord Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia from 1923-1929.” Black and white photograph of Melbourne District Nursing Society Headquarters, 452 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. The photo, taken on the corner of Arthur street, is of a two storey building and several cars and gives a unique view of St Kilda Road in the 1950s (pre high rise buildings) This large grey two storey Italian style building, has four roman column, arched Arcadia to the right of a polygon shaped bay window on the ground floor; an arched Arcade on the second floor, and three long windows above the bay window on Arthur Street. Turning the corner onto St. Kilda Road is a three arched Arcadia running towards the one window seen on the polygon shaped bay window. Arcadia is repeated on the upper storey. A balustrade is in front of the Arcadia on the upper storey and again around the flat roof. Two chimneys can be seen. A spiked metal fence runs in front of the building. To the left of this building are two white double storey buildings and some medium sized trees. On Arthur Street, two Ford Prefect cars, one with the passenger side door partly open, a Vanguard car and another make of car can be seen.royal district nursing service, headquarters, 452 st kilda road melbourne, melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns transport, rdns

Matron F. L. Gordon and the Sisters are standing in front of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Nurses Home at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. The Nurses lived in this residence from 1914-1953. In 1926 the After-Care Home was built next door. This image was taken twelve months after the name of the Society changed from 'Melbourne District Nursing Society After Care 'Home' to 'Hospital'. The photograph shows the uniform of the District Division of the Melbourne District Nursing Society in the 1930s, with the uniform dress made of grey cotton. Their brimmed hat was made of felt with a cotton hat band with a red Maltese cross in the centre front. From its founding in 1885 until 1891 the Trained nurses, called 'Nurse' in those days, of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Nurses and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. They left from their Nurses Home each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later, in 1894, they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurse, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered for e.g. Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The Home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. They remained there for ten years and an Auction of furniture was held before their next move giving an idea of some of the contents: - Carpets, linoleum, walnut and oak sideboards, dining tables, walnut dining suite, Vienna chairs, walnut bedroom suite, cedar wardrobes, chests of drawers, duchess chests, bedsteads and bedding and general furnishings were for sale. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funding to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which became their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door, running from 41-47 Victoria Parade (became No. 45); the District Sisters continued to live at No. 39. In November 1953 the District Nursing Division moved into their new Headquarters and Nurses Home at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, with a change of name to Melbourne District Nursing Service in 1957. With Royal patronage, this changed to Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) in 1966. As District expanded, and now with outlying districts to service and with a full fleet of District cars, Sisters lived in their own homes and visited their District Centre each morning to collect their work for the day and returned there at the end of their days work in the community to carry out their administrative work. The digital image shows Matron, Miss F.L. Gordon, wearing a white uniform and veil and a dark coloured cape standing amid a group of eleven District Trained nurses (Sisters), from the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS). Two Sisters are to her left and the others to her right. They are standing in front of a grey building. The Sisters are wearing their uniforms of grey long coats with lapels; the coat is secured with a belt around the waist. This is worn over their grey uniforms, with white collars. Each Sister is wearing their uniform grey brimmed hat with a Maltese cross attached to the light hatband, and are carrying a square shaped nursing case. They are standing in two rows, with some on the veranda of the building and some in front on the path; two Sisters are just off the path amid the shrubs. Part of the grey concrete building can be seen behind the Sisters with the open door to the left and part of three long windows seen to its right. One Sister has her lower left arm resting on the veranda rail.'Miss F.L. Gordon, Matron, and some of the District Sisters'mdns, melbourne district nursing society, 39 victoria parade, collingwood, rdns, royal district nursing service, nurses home, miss f.l. gordon, mdns uniforms, mdns matron

Sister McLean is attending a function in the RDNS Board room at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. She worked in RDNS Headquarters. The RDNS insignia on the upper left of her uniform tunic has the words "Royal District Nursing Service" written in white in the blue circle. Across the centre of the circle are two clasping hands depicted in yellow..From its founding in 1885 until 1891, the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). Their Committee meetings were held at the Religious Tract Society Rooms, No 3 Queen's walk, off Swanston Street and later at the Library Room in the Melbourne Town Hall. The Annual General Meetings were held in the Town Hall. In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Trained nurses (Nurse) and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. They left from their Nurses Home each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurses, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered for e.g. to Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy where they remained for ten years. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funding to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which was their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door, running from 41-47 Victoria Parade (became No. 45); the District nurses continued to live at No. 39. In November 1953 the District Nursing Division moved into their new Headquarters and Nurses Home at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne but as the Service expanded into the suburbs Centres were opened and their Trained nurses (Sisters) worked from home, so the Nurses Home section of 452 was closed and turned into more administrative areas. In 1996 Headquarters were relocated to 31 Alma Road, St. Kilda.Coloured photograph of the upper view of Sister Kath McLean of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) who has short straight dark hair and is smiling as she sits holding a cake on a white plate. She is wearing her RDNS winter uniform; a grey skivvie under a blue/grey herringbone woolen V neck tunic style frock with a central zip. On its upper left It has the RDNS insignia of a round blue circle with writing on it, surrounded on either side by white swept up feathers towards the central crown above the circle. Under this is her name plate and a gold coloured medal. A pen is clipped into the left hand V neck section of the frock. rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns winter uniform, rdns board room, rdns headquarters, kath mclean

The RDNS Sisters are attending a functions being held in the Board Room at RDNS Headquarters, 452 St. Kilda Road in Melbourne.From its founding in 1885 until 1891 the trained nurses of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). The Committee meetings were held at the Religious Tract Society rooms at Queen’s walk, off Swanston Street and then at the Library Room at the Melbourne Town Hall. The Annual General Meeting was held at the Town Hall. In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Trained nurses (Nurses) and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. They left from their Nurses Home each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurse, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered for e.g. to Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy where they remained for ten years. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funds to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which was their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door, running from 41-47 Victoria Parade (became No. 45); the District nurses continued to live at No. 39. In November 1953 the District Nursing Division moved into their new Headquarters and Nurses Home at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. As RDNS expanded with Centres now opening throughout the suburbs, their Trained nurses (Sisters) lived in their own homes and the Nurses Home at 452 closed and the rooms used for administrative purposes. On April the 1st 1996 RDNS Head Office relocated to 31 Alma Road, St. Kilda.Colour photograph of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sisters who are standing in a room - left to right - .....Pat (Paddy) Rowley, with short brown hair and wearing glasses, Kath McLean, with short dark hair, Betty Harris, who is wearing glasses and with short brown curly hair and on the far right Ruth May, wearing glasses and with short dark hair, Sister May and the unknown Sister on the far left hand side, are wearing the RDNS summer uniform of a white blouse under a V neck royal blue tunic style frock. The three Sisters in the centre of the photograph are wearing the RDNS winter uniform of blue/grey skivvies under their blue/grey herringbone woollen V neck tunic style frocks. The RDNS insignia is on the upper left of the uniforms. Opened gold long curtains are in the background, along with three wooden chairs which have green backs and seats. The chairs are partly hidden by the standing Sisters. A vase of plumed feather flowers is behind Sr. Harris. Part of a white clothed table, with silver cutlery and white plates on it, is the the foreground.rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns uniform, rdns headquarters, sister ruth may, sister kath mclean, sister pat (paddy) rowley, sister betty harris

The photograph is taken at a function in the Board Room of RDNS Headquarters, 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Miss Mary Evans was the RDNS Director of Nursing from 1963-1978,From its founding in 1885 until 1891, the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). The Committee meetings were held at the Religious Tract Society rooms at Queen’s walk, off Swanston Street and then at the Library Room at the Melbourne Town Hall. The Annual General Meeting was held at the Town Hall. In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Nurses and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. They left from their Nurses Home each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurse, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered for e.g. to Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy where they remained for ten years. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funds to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which was their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door, running from 41-47 Victoria Parade (became No. 45); the District nurses (Sisters) continued to live at No. 39. In November 1953 the District Nursing Division moved into their new Headquarters and Nurses Home at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. As RDNS expanded and now, with Centres opening throughout the suburbs, the Sisters lived in their own homes and the Nurses Home at 452 closed and those rooms used for administrative purposes. On April the 1st 1996 RDNS Head Office relocated to 31 Alma Road, St. Kilda. Coloured photograph taken at a function in a room at Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). It shows, left to right, Sister Bev Armstrong, who has short blonde hair, Miss Mary Evans, who has short curled brown hair and another RDNS Sister who has short dark hair. The two RDNS Sisters are wearing the RDNS summer uniform of a white blouse under a royal blue V neck tunic style dress with the RDNS insignia on the left hand side. Miss Evans, is wearing a long dark coat. The three are smiling and the Sister on the right is looking at Miss Evans who is turned slightly and has part of her right arm resting over the top of the back of the chair. They are sitting in front of a window and opened gold long curtains. A tree is seen through the window. Both RDNS Sisters have cups in their hands.royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns headquarters, miss mary evans, sister bev armstrong

The District nurses are leaving from their Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Nurses Home, which was situated at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. Their MDNS uniform dresses and coats depicted are grey, and a red Maltese cross is attached to the centre of the headband on their grey brimmed hats. The Sisters will visit MDNS patients and provide nursing care to them in their homes.From its founding in 1885 until 1891 the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Nurses and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. They left from their Nurses Home each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurse, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered for e.g. to Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their equipment and nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency, and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. They remained there for ten years and an Auction of furniture was held before their next move giving an idea of some of the contents: - Carpets, linoleum, walnut and oak sideboards, dining tables, walnut dining suite, Vienna chairs, walnut bedroom suite, cedar wardrobes, chests of drawers, duchess chests, bedsteads and bedding and general furnishings were for sale. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funding to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which was their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door, at 45 Victoria Parade; the District nurses continued to live at No. 39. In November 1953 the District Nursing Division moved into their new Headquarters and Nurses Home at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. In 1957 the two divisions legally separated and the District division became the Melbourne District Nursing Service. As District expanded, and now with outlying districts to service, and with a fleet of District cars, their trained nurses (Sisters) lived in their own homes and visited their closest District Centre each morning to collect their work for the day, and returned at the end of their shift to do their administrative work. A small black and white photograph showing a side on view of Matron Lydia Shaw who is smiling. She is standing outside the Nurses Home of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), and is wearing a white long sleeved belted uniform dress, white stockings, shoes, and a veil over her short dark hair.. She is standing to the left, outside the front gate of the building watching a group of district nurses about to leave the Home. The group are on a path behind the four trained nurses (Sisters) most visible who are dressed in grey belted long sleeved coats which have lapels. They are wearing grey brimmed hats with a Maltese cross in the centre, flesh coloured stockings and black shoes. The first two Sisters are side by side and have just stepped onto the pavement; the one to the right is smiling and slightly turned toward Matron Shaw. Under their coats, both these Sisters are wearing grey scarves around their necks. There is a square concrete column behind Matron Shaw, and another to the right of the nurses. From the right column three metal vertical fence bars are seen with shrubs behind them. Part of a building and doorway can be seen behind the nurses. A brick wall and path is seen on the far left of the photograph.The date 1934 as well as the name of Matron Shaw, Sister Jones and Sister Tupper were hand written on the back of the photographnurses, matron, uniform, melbourne district nursing society, mdns, nurses home, rdns, royal district nursing service, matron lydia shaw, sister dorothy tupper, sister jones

"From the beginnings of European settlement on the dry plains of Melton, the community became all too familiar with the destructive power of bushfires. Fires spread rapidly through the parched landscape and were difficult to stop. Small villages in the district were practically wiped out by different fires at various times, important buildings and valuable haystacks were lost, and most chaff mills were burned down more than once.110 A local bushfire brigade was established in 1935, with Constable Roy Corbett elected Captain. This formed the basis of what would later become the Melton Country Fire Authority (CFA) branch". During 1935 a Fire Brigade was organised by 1942 it had been registered with the BUSH FIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE and a Certificate of Registration No 425 was issued. The Officers were as follows:- 1st Lieutenant E.W. Barrie 2nd Lieutenant T.L. Barrie 3rd Lieutenant Tom Knox Captains who followed Roy Corbett List of known Captains 1935 – 1975 Jack Wallace Roy Corbett Bon Barrie Edgar Barrie Steve Hirt In 1945 the C.F.A. became the controlling authority. Prior to this date D24 was the Nerve Centre of the Fire Fighting System with representatives of Country Fire Brigades, Forests Commission and D24. This information was in a typed document prepared by Edna Barrie 1975 Melton Fire Brigade yearly calendar emergency services

Communications (Telephone) Fire calls over a number years the following people monitored the Fire Call Jack and Lila Gilliland-Postmasters Vera Radford Ernie and Betty Abraham Ken and Lil YoungThese documents belonged to Melton Fire Brigadeemergency services, local identies

MELTON BUSH FIRE BRIGADE Established 1935-1942 Registered class F Certificate No 425 MELTON RURAL FIRE BRIGADE 1944–Country Fire Authority Barrie Family Service Record ERNEST W. BARRIE 1909 –1985 (Bon) Service Record 1939 Member 1942 – 1950 1st Lieutenant 1945 – 1953 Apparatus Officer 1951 - 1966 Captain 1945 - 1950 2nd Lieutenant 1967 - 1983 Group Communications Officer Mount Cotterill Fire Brigades Group 1963 COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY RURAL SERVICES AWARD Fireman E.W Barrie 20 years Long Service Badge 1979 QUEEN’S MEDAL AWARD CHARLES E. BARRIE 1913 – 1975 (Edgar) Service Record 1942 Member 1942 – 1966 Secretary and Treasurer 1945 - 1952 Foreman\ 1959 - 1960 Apparatus Officer 1963 - 1964 Communications Officer 1967 - 1972 Captain 1971 - 1973 President 1963 COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY RURAL SERVICES AWARD Secretary C.E. Barrie 20 years Long Service Badge Melton Fire Brigade 2013 Memorial Wall Plaque for 33 years service. THOMAS L. BARRIE 1914 – 1990 Service Record 1941 Member 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant 1963 COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY RURAL SERVICES AWARD Fireman T.L. Barrie 20 years Long Service Badge Fire Brigade had been registered with the Bush Fire Brigade Committee and a Certificate of Registration No 425 was issuedemergency services

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie – fire service record MELTON BUSH FIRE BRIGADE Established 1935 MELTON BUSH FIRE BRIGADE Registered Class F Certificate No 425 1944 MELTON RURAL FIRE BRIGADE Country Fire Authority 1944 - 1987 Service Record Member 1939 1st Lieutenant 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 - 1950 Apparatus Officer 1945 - 1954 Captain 1951 - 1966 Group Communications Officer Mount Cotterill Fire Brigades Group 1967 - 1983 Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963 Fireman E.W. Barrie 20 years Long Service Badge. Queen’s Good Conduct and Long Service Medal 1979 Melton Fire Brigade 2013 Memorial Wall Plaque for 44 years of Service Receipt received from E.W Barrieemergency services

Early member of the Bush Fire Brigade, Bon Barrie saw the need for improved speed of communication. With the formation of the Country Fire Authority by mid 1950 Melton introduced H F high frequency two way radio sets. A set was located in the Barrie home, which was an idea location to observe smoke sighting given its 360 degree view of the distant horizon. A large antenna was built to improve reception and sending strength. Author – Edna Barrie hand written notes. In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Group Headquarters was established at the Ferris road residence of Melton Captain E W Bon Barrie, who was elected Group and Communications Officer of Mt Cottrell. E W (Eddie) Gillespie and Keith Watt of the Toolern Vale brigade were appointed Deputy Group Officer and Group Secretary respectively. The Base Radio was installed at the Group Headquarters by the CFA. Brigades contributed to half the cost. A grant of $1000 was made available by the Shire of Melton in 1969 toward the cost of VHS (Very High Frequency) replacing the HF(High Frequency) Radios which has been introduced in the 1950’s. Shire of Werribee and the City of Keilor supported Werribee and Sydenham in a similar manner. The Call sign for the new group became VL3LY VHF Channel 1 163.12 m/cs. HF 3836 k/cs. Mount Cottrell Group's Wireless Licence Scheduleemergency services, local identities

Licences for Melton Rural, Rockbank Rural and Werribee Urban Fire brigadesemergency services

Gratitude for contribution letters Dear Bon and Edna, The members of the Mount Cottrell Group wish to extend to you both their sincere gratitude for the dedicated service you have both provided to the Group Brigades whilst you operated the radio and phone from your home. It is thanks to people such as yourselves who, with foresight, pioneered the Group system and the communications that went with it, that has made the Country Fire Authority what it is today. Words can never express the sacrifices we know you have both made over the years to keep the radio and phone manned. We did try to leave your remote but the Authority would only allow one to Wayne’s residence. Once again many, many thanks to you Bon and Edna for your contribution to the Group, but know we can still look forward to your support in the future, Bon is still a deputy communications officer. Incidently our next meeting is on Wednesday 17th December at the Melton Fire Station, you are both most welcome to attend, our guest that evening will be Ken Coghill M. L. A. Yours Sincerely Darryl Wells Typed letter dated 17th September 1976, Group Secretary  Melton South Dear Mrs. Barrie, The members of the Group wish to extend to you their sincere appreciation for the magnificent job carried out by you in the diligent task of radio operations. It gives confidence and morale to all firemen to know that an any time the pressure’s on, and effective back-up force is readily available via Group Base, and your role in this respect is acknowledged with the highest the highest esteem. Yours sincerely A.J.Morris Group Secretary Copied June 2013 Note MOUNT COTTRELL FIRE BRIDAGES’ GROUP Incorporating the Brigades of Diggers Rest, Melton Rural, Melton Urban Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Truganina, Werribee Rural, Werribee Urban.Edna and Bon Barrie's collection of invitations to fire brigade's eventsemergency services, local identities

Melton Fire Brigade history In a letter to George Minns of 24th March 1942 from the Forests Commission the brigade was registered Class ‘F’ with the certificate of Registration N. 425. In December 1935 a public meeting was held with the purpose of forming a bush fire brigade. Constable Roy Corbett was elected Captain a position he held until 1941 and 1945 –1949. 1942 EW Barrie. 1st Lieut 2nd Lieut TL Barrie 1943 EW Barrie 2nd Lieut 1944 : : MELTON RURAL FIRE BRIGADE Established under CFA act 1944 1945- 1953 EW Barrie Apparatus Officer 1951- 1965 EW Barrie Captain 1967- 1979 EW Barrie elected Group Communication Officer of the Mt Cotterill Fire Brigades. RADIO In 1954 the Fire Brigade introduced 2 HF (high frequency) radios, one was installed in the Fire truck and the other in the Captains utility. 1956- 16th March Licence granted to the County Fire Authority Melton to establish a MOBILE transmitting and receiving station. Area of operation, Melton and District on the frequency (kc/s) 3836 for the exchange of messages relating to the fighting and prevention of fires during actual fires or periods of fire hazard with the CFA Bacchus Marsh base station VL3OX. 1958- 22nd May Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General’s Department Special Licence No H 702 under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1950 is hereby transferred to Mr. E.W. Barrie, Captain, Melton Rural Fire Brigade to establish a MOBILE transmitting and receiving station. Call sign VL3 OX 6 and VL 3OX 7Group officer Bon Barrie's invitation to a Fire Brigade formal dinner emergency services

Edna Barrie describes the Darlingsford property. C.E. Barrrie Land developers bought the property from my husband’s brother. It was one big farm and they were a big family. When the father died he left it to be cut up for the family. The youngest son had to reach age 21 before the property could be divided and portioned out to the mother and children, but it was deferred until Jim returned from the war. Eventually it was cut up into two parts, we were married by then and so was Edgar. Part of the land included the block on the other side of Ferris road, which became the quarry, Edgar’s section was on the Toolern Creek end, he was the last one married and lived in the old bluestone house until 1974. The developers bought this section but they could not get permits due to the state of the old bridge due to the cost. Barries had built the bridge across the creek [1926]. It took the big loads of hay and the family kept it maintained. Once the Barries had gone it did not get any upkeep. The developers found the cost of replacing the bridge and developing site with sewerage and drainage power before they sell. The rural land itself is not worth much as the developer has to complete the subdivision before any blocks can be sold. The developer from Sydney had a man living in the house, who let it go the rack and ruin. He managed to buy from the developer 25 acres with the bluestone house. Bernard Coburn had it for a while but is was well out of our hands by then. There were various people who have bought into and tried to develop and have given up. There was a project sometime ago to save the buildings from ruin but nothing has happened as yet, they are six or seven years to late. The buildings continue to deteriorate and were badly damaged vandals and fire. The Shire bought all the rest of it from the developer, where the tip is now, that was also part of Edgars land. Article about a fire at Darlingsford Estate featured in the Telegraphlocal architecture, local identities, emergency services

Participated in the Formation of Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group in 1967Article featuring Stephen John Hirt, Captain of CFA Melton Urban and Rural Fire Brigades.local identities, emergency services

Melton S.E.S members in front of their truck, article featured in the Telegraph. emergency services, local identies

Newspaper articles featuring Stephen Hirt in the Express/Telegraph newspaper and Melton Expresslocal identities, emergency services

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie and his brother Edgar built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton townshipNewspaper articles about Melton Fire brigadeemergency services

In 1975 the Melton Fire Station opened in McKenzie Street. In the 1950s with the introduction two-way HF and later VHF very high frequency radio sets. Melton Rural Fire Brigade was part of the Bacchus Marsh Group. Radio sets where located in the Melton Fire Truck, and in the house of the Barrie family at Ferris Road. This was an ideal location to observe a 360 degree view in all directions when smoke appeared on the horizon. An antenna was erected beside the house. The set OX 7 was located in the kitchen and monitored 24 hours by the family. When an electrical fire occurred at the junction of the electricity to the house there was time to radio the fire station and summons the men working in the paddocks, thus saving the house from possible destruction. With the introduction of UHF – ultra high frequency Vinten Radios the signal was clearer and static and interference lessened and radio traffic became easier to read, and reduced noise levels in the household. In 1974 when the family moved to First Avenue, another antenna and a small building were erected adjacent to the residence and used to house the equipment, maps. Radio traffic consisted of regular schedule times and communication with adjoining groups of brigades such as Bacchus Marsh, Mt Macedon and Little River Groups. Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally.Regional News Gazette article about the construction of a new fire station in Melton and an Express article with brigade members at the opening of the station.emergency services

Newspaper clippings of Toolern Fire Brigade emergency services, local identities, education

Sydenham Fire Brigade news clippingsemergency services

Change over of captains at Diggers Rest Fire Brigade newspaper articleemergency services

Express Telegraph article about Melton Fire Brigadeemergency services, local identities

Formation of the Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Group Headquarters was established at the Ferris road residence of Melton Captain E W Bon Barrie, who was elected Group and Communications Officer of Mt Cottrell. E W (Eddie) Gillespie and Keith Watt of the Toolern Vale brigade were appointed Deputy Group Officer and Group Secretary respectivelyRegion 14 Rural Fire Brigades Association First Annual Demonstration programmeemergency services

The memorial wall was constructed in 2010 to coincide with brigade's 75th anniversary. The wall represents the brigade members that have passed away while as members in the line of duty has served more than fifteen years of service to the Melton Fire Brigade. This wall is the relocation of the historic time capsule from the old fire station to to its new location in Henry Street.Booklet for the unveiling of Melton Fire Brigade Memorial Wallemergency services

The Mount Cotterill Group encompassed the Rural Fire Brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Truganina, and Werribee and later Diggers RestMap belonging to the Truganina Fire Brigade emergency services

"In 1966, the Mount Cottrell Fire Brigades Group was formed as a way of consolidating the smaller groups around Melton, Rockbank, Toolern Vale, Sydenham, Truganina and Werribee. Its headquarters were established at the home of Ernest ‘Bon’ and Edna Barrie in Ferris Road, Melton. Captain Bon Barrie was a member of the Melton Fire Brigade and elected group and communications officer of the new Mount Cottrell Brigades Group". Fire Brigade Meeting 14th September held at Rockbank Formation a new Group in Region 14 Present: R/O H Rothsay, Assistant R/O R Orchard Tru? G Summerton Purpose of Group The pooling of the equipment in the area should be co-ordinated under one leader. The Brigade and private equipment should be co-ordinated under one leader. Formation was carried unanimously. To be called Mt Cotterill Group. Rockbank nominated Captain E W Barrie elected, Secretary K Watt Toolern Vale. Names listed C/O K L McNaughton Anakie Group COO/O R B Chirnside Lieut J Richmond Capt E Gillespie Toolern Vale Eddie L/ T S Atkin Stan L/T B Storey Bert Sec K Watt Keith Capt E W Barrie Melton Bon L/T K Gillespie Keith A Gillespie Arthur L/T G Lunson George L/T J Robinson Jeff Capt A Marquand Truganina Alan L/T I Cowie Ian Sec T Gard Tom Capt G Harrison Rockbank a/ps G Harrison N Harrison N Fisher a/ps S Hirt Melton Steve Pres M Chomley Sydenham Capt S Hughes Stan Capt L Waterson Werribee Lex Res/o J Hanson G/O S Cooper Bacchus Marsh Syd P/GO W Lidgett Wal Pro/O D Dunton G/O T Healy R C [Mt Macedon] Tom Reg Sec G Douglas Hand written notes of Edna Barrie Typed by Wendy Barrie Maps of the Mt Cottrell Fire groupemergency services, maps

"From the earliest days of settlement in the shire, residents demonstrated their willingness to band together in times of crisis and need. Bushfires were always a terrifying prospect and since its establishment in 1935, the local fire brigade (later the Country Fire Authority) fought hard to protect the people, homes and animals of the shire. In 1966, the Mount Cottrell Fire BrigadesGroup was formed as a way of consolidating the smaller groups around Melton, Rockbank, ToolernVale, Sydenham, Truganina and Werribee. Its headquarters were established at the home of Ernest ‘Bon’ and Edna Barrie in Ferris Road, Melton".Tag from an fire extinguisher emergency services