Showing 959 items
matching australian rules
-
Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc
Rule
... of Australia. rule, 3", No 30 Rule ...This item is part of the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, owned by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and curated by the Hand Tools Preservation Association of Australia.rule, 3", No 30 -
Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc
Level
This item is part of the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, owned by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and curated by the Hand Tools Preservation Association of Australia.level, circular for steel rule -
Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc
Rule
... of Australia. rule, one yard Rule ...This item is part of the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, owned by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and curated by the Hand Tools Preservation Association of Australia.rule, one yard -
Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc
Rule
... of Australia. rule, parallel, boxwood Rule ...This item is part of the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, owned by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and curated by the Hand Tools Preservation Association of Australia.rule, parallel, boxwood -
Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc
Rule
... of Australia. rule, 3ft 341 Rule ...This item is part of the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, owned by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and curated by the Hand Tools Preservation Association of Australia.rule, 3ft 341 -
Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc
Rule
... of Australia. rule, brass 370 Rule ...This item is part of the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, owned by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and curated by the Hand Tools Preservation Association of Australia.rule, brass 370 -
Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc
Rule
... of Australia. rule, luminium folding Rule ...This item is part of the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, owned by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and curated by the Hand Tools Preservation Association of Australia.rule, luminium folding -
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Inc
Slide Rules
.1 to .4)Two SAA Conversion Slides supplied by Standards Association of Australia for converting imperial measurements to metric. .5) Plastic sleeve. .6) instruction leaflet.engineering -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Walter Bonwick and his sons, 12 Loch Street, 1936
The people are identified as Mr Walter Bonwick and his sons. The photo was taken in 1936. Walter Hugh Bonwick (1899-1964) was an engineer. He married Christina Erica Strom (1893-1984) in 1924. Her parents were Herman Strom and Mary Eadington Rule Pyatt. Christina served as a staff nurse in WW1. She enlisted on 8 May 1917 and embarked from Melbourne on board RMS Somali on 30 June 1917; she returned to Australia on 17 July 1919. Her diary is digitised on the Australian War Memorial website, along with a typed transcript. Sons: John Edwin Bonwick - engineer William (Bill) Bonwick - Associate Professor of Engineering, Monash University (1933-2011) A black and white photograph of a man with two boys standing in the front garden. There is a car in the background, to the right, and a house in the background on the left.walter bonwick (mr), walter hugh bonwick (mr), john bonwick (mr), john edwin bonwick (mr), william bonwick (mr), daton car, loch street, mont albert, surrey hills, 1936, clothing and dress -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Mrs Christine Bonwick, nee Strom
Daughter of Herman Strom, a Swedish sea captain and Mary Edington Rule Pyatt with 2 siblings: Eric Strom and Elsa Rule Strom. Born 1892 in Ascot Vale; died 1984. Christine trained as a nurse at the Royal Women’s Hospital for 4 years and enlisted on 24/5/1917 as an Army Staff nurse. Enlistment papers give her religion as Unitarian. Her letters written to her family (“Letters from Salonika”) and her WW1 diary are held at the Australian War Memorial. After marriage she lived at 12 Lock Street from 1923-1981. Married Walter Hugh Bonwick and had 2 sons William James (Bill) and John Edwin. Pastimes: Joined the Scout Movement and became ‘Akela’ to the cubs of Yooralla, Balwyn; wrote prose and poetry and had a book of verse published; entitled “We came in a Freighter”. A black and white photograph of a lady, wearing a long dark coloured dress. She has short fair hair. There is a table beside her and a picture hanging on the wall behind her.nurses, scouts, mont albert, surrey hills, world war, 1914-1918, writer, loch street, miss christine erica strom, mrs christine erica bonwick, assoc prof william (bill) bonwick, mr john bonwick, walter hugh bonwick -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Miss Christine Erica Strom
Daughter of Herman Strom, a Swedish sea captain and Mary Edington Rule Pyatt with 2 siblings: Eric Strom and Elsa Rule Strom. Born 1892 in Ascot Vale; died 1984. Christine trained as a nurse at the Royal Women’s Hospital for 4 years and enlisted on 24/5/1917 as an Army Staff nurse. Enlistment papers give her religion as Unitarian. Her letters written to her family (“Letters from Salonika”) and her WW1 diary are held at the Australian War Memorial. After marriage she lived at 12 Lock Street from 1923-1981. Married Walter Hugh Bonwick and had 2 sons William James (Bill) and John Edwin. Pastimes: Joined the Scout Movement and became ‘Akela’ to the cubs of Yooralla, Balwyn; wrote prose and poetry and had a book of verse published; entitled “We came in a Freighter”. A black and white studio photo of a lady in nurse's uniform with a cape and a veil on her head.mr walter bonwick, loch street, mont albert, surrey hills, world war, 1914-1919, nurses, miss christine erica strom, mrs christine erica bonwick -
Federation University Art Collection
Printmaking - Etching, aquatint, photo-etching, Cat Poljski, 'After Euclid's Rule', by Cat Poljski, 2003
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007. Australian Print Council Commissioned Printart, artwork, cat poljski, poljski, australian print council, available, printmaking, etching, aquatint, photo etching -
Vision Australia
Leisure object - Object, Nine men's Morris, 19
This game of strategy was played in the Roman Empire and medieval England. Each player has nine pegs and must use these to first fill the board then move their pieces to create a 'mill' (three linked points). For each 'mill' created, an opponent's piece can be removed. In this version of the game, a rule booklet in Braille is provided with the tactile board and pegs. RNIB catalogue number: 9212. 1 yellow and red board in purple box +1 Braille booklet. recreation equipment, games -
Vision Australia
Leisure object - Object, Nine men's Morris, 19
This game of strategy was played in the Roman Empire and medieval England. Each player has nine pegs and must use these to first fill the board then move their pieces to create a 'mill' (three linked points). For each 'mill' created, an opponent's piece can be removed. In this version of the game, a rule booklet in large print is provided with the tactile board and black/white pegs. RNIB catalogue number: GB32. 1 wooden board in green/black box + 1 large print booklet and 17 pegs. recreation equipment, games -
Vision Australia
Text, Association for the Advancement of the Blind Home Committee April 1930 - December 1936, 1930-1936
Minutes of the monthly meetings of the AAB Home Committee held at 7 Mair Street, Brighton to discuss items related to the running of the Brighton home for the Blind (later named 'Elanora'). A brief index of names preceeds the minutes. Agenda topics included Accounts, Matron's Report, Applications for Admission and Official Visitors, infirmary rules (p.13), potential removal of residents due to improper conduct (p.31, 46 & 112) and applications for position of Matron (p.147). 1 paper registerassociation for the advancement of the blind, elanora home (brighton) -
Vision Australia
Text, Association for the Advancement of the Blind Home Committee January 1937 - November 1941, 1937-1941
Minutes of the monthly meetings of the AAB Home Committee held at 7 Mair Street, Brighton to discuss items related to the running of the Brighton home for the Blind (later named 'Elanora'). A brief index of names preceeds the minutes. Agenda topics included Accounts, Matron's Report, Applications for Admission and Official Visitors, rules for admission and guidance (p.i), dissatisfaction between staff (p.19), installing ear phones in the infirmary (p.103) and the potential purchase of land at the rear of the home (p.168). Correspondence and an inmates register have been listed for some of the period. 1 paper registerassociation for the advancement of the blind, elanora home (brighton) -
Vision Australia
Text, Association for the Advancement of the Blind Hostel Committee 3 September 1947 to 7 May 1958, 1947-1958
Minutes of the monthly meetings of the AAB Hostel Committee to discuss items related to the running of the Mens Hostel at 11 Lara Street, South Yarra and the Women's Hostel at 54 The Avenue, Windsor. Agenda topics included Receipts and Accounts, Admissions, reports from both hostels and Official Visitors, rules of the hostel including no washing on Sundays (p.75), the closure of the Mens Hostel (p.78), regret that the sale of the Women's Hostel was not advised prior, and that when a new hostel is established, it be named in honour of Mrs L. Hutchinson (p.173). 1 paper registerassociation for the advancement of the blind -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, John Wall, 1982
Portrait of John Wall, who was treasurer for the Association for the Blind between 1970-1989. This photograph was taken for an annual report based upon the ruled lines on the back of the photograph.Col. photograph of John Wall, treasurer at the Association for the BlindJohn Wall, treasurer 1970/1989association for the blind, john wall -
Vision Australia
Text, Sydney Industrial Blind Institution annual reports 1879-1898, 1879-1898
In 1875 John William Wood left a legacy of 5000 pounds for a building to be erected for the benefit of people who were blind. A site near William Street was agreed upon, and building commenced of a two storey sandstone in Boomerang Street. Some months after its completion, a public meeting was held to inaugurate the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, outline its rules and regulations and elect a board of management. To publicise it's work and gain donor support, the SIBI produced an annual report outlining the finances, facilities and programs offered.1 volume, illustrationssydney industrial blind institution -
Vision Australia
Text, Sydney Industrial Blind Institution annual report (loose copies), 1903-1951
Annual reports produced by the SIBI, informing their subscribers and the general public of the good work undertaken by the Institute and the ongoing need for funding. Information provided included income, expenditure, fund raising, staff, services, etc. Below is a summary of other information contained in the reports. 1902 - Trades at which the blind are employed, extracts from visitors books, balance sheets, supplementary catalogue of books in library, subscription and donation lists by town, constitution of the institution and rules, sick fund rules and balance sheet. Also noted were the impending installment of a printing press for books, the development of blind distributors of tea beverages and that instead of a blind boys home, boys would instead be sent to board with suitable families. 1933 - A list of braille transcribers and the amount of braille produced, a brief report on the Floral Festival organised by the Women's Auxiliary Committee and the donation of a shop in George Street for 12 months for the selling of articles made by the Blind was provided by a SIBI committee member. 1934 - A brief report on the hostels at William Street and Woollahra, a detailed listing of all functions which raised money through the auspics of the auxiliaries, and a visit by Superintendent Hedge and Librarian Mr Thompson to the Croydon Ladies Social Club. 1938 - A radio show called the 'Glow Worm Session' on 2GB with home teacher Roy Kippax, the 150th anniversary of Sydney celebration and a 16 millimetre film that was made to publicise the Institute's work. 1939 - A record amount raised through the sale of goods made by Blind Workers, the refurbishment of "The Haven' at Woollahra and transfer of residents from William Street, and free admission by the Trocadero and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to swing concerts and 'Broadway Serenade'. 1940 - Incorporation of the Institute's Women's Magazine into Boomerang Magazine, the enlistment of two Board members Cohen and Meeks for active service, and a brief report from each of the branch auxiliaries. 1941 - The difficulty of obtaining stereotype Braille items from London and the passing of the editoress of the Women's Magazine Miss L.E. Hudson who had just completed the final edition. 1942 - Employment of 60 blind men and women in war related industries, the purchase of an air raid shelter and the small size of the report due to the shortage of paper. 1943 - Closure of the Basket department due to government regulations on cane stock, the provision of a lunch hour news service provided by visitors and individual reports from each of the Ladies Auxiliaries. 1944 - Presentation of a revolving chair to Honorary Librarian Mr H.W. Thompson for 35 years of service, the filling in of air raid trenches due to the improvement of the wartime situation and that SIBI had been supplying the Royal Australian Navy with mats, brushware and other products. 1945 - Continued placement of blind workers in outside industries, the compilation of a register of blind citizens and the election of the Hon. Justice Maxwell as President. 1946 - The successful application for Royal assent and the subsequent name change of the insitution, the intervention of Hon. Member C.R. Evatt Minister for Housing regarding the building of a new hostel for blind women and the establishment of an Honour Roll with a description of inductees Mrs K.L. Barry, Mrs J. Ayre, Mrs E. Vance . 1947 - Establishment of an occupational therapy department, the acceptance of Helen Keller to visit the society and the induction of Mrs Rivis Mead to the Honour Roll. 1951 - Passing of Librarian Miss Jean Currie and the use of prisoners to transcribe materials into Braille.Single volumes with various pagings, illustrations -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Minutes of the White Cane Day Committee 1982, 1982
Minutes of the fourth White Cane Day organising committee, chaired by Bryan Sitlington.20 pages of typed meeting minutes on white paperwhite cane day, bryan sitlington, royal victorian eye & ear hospital, guide dogs for the blind association victoria, jennifer gordon, jennie lawrey, val whitehead, villa maria society, greg cooper, hugh jeffrey, national federation of blind citizens, peter barilla, graeme rule, phyllis gration, royal victorian institute for the blind, braille and talking book library, association for the blind -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Minutes of the White Cane Day Committee 1983, 1983
Minutes of the fifth White Cane Day organising committee, chaired by Bryan Sitlington.26 pages of typed meeting minutes on white paperwhite cane day, bryan sitlington, kathleen buchannan, graeme rule, jan kerr, val whitehead, harold gration, national federation of blind citizens, royal guide dogs for the blind association, royal victorian eye & ear hospital, ross johnstone, villa maria society, mark jones, national guide dogs mobility training centre, camille wilkins, royal victorian institute for the blind, braille and talking book library, association for the blind -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Register of Life Governors, 1930s to 1950s
Handwritten list of Life Governorships awarded to various people from the RVIB during the 1930s until the 1950s. Entries include the name and address or township of recipients, and later a date column was included. No information is included on why a Life Governor was granted however this was usually in recognition for the funds donated to the institution. This amount was dependent upon the time of the contribution. In the Constitution and Rules section of the 1872 Asylum and School for the Blind Annual Report: Membership - Every Subscriber of 10s., and upwards per annum shall be a Member of the Institution, and every donor of 20 pounds and upwards, a Life Member. Auxiliary members who were appointed Life Governors were usually involved in helping organise some of the many fundraising activities, such as the Auxiliaries Annual Three Day Fair. A Life Governorship also meant that the person would have a vote when it came to some decisions made by the Committee of Management. RVIB Life Governors are listed cumulatively in the annual report until 1935 when, due to reasons of space, it was altered so that names appeared only in the year that they were granted. This continued until 1999/2000 when these were no longer awarded.Vinyl covered record book with alphabetical listing of some Life GovernorsR.V.I.B. Life Governersroyal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising -
Vision Australia
Document - Text, The Constitution and Rules of the Blind Bowls Victoria Inc
To become an incorporated association, a constitution and rules for members is required under the act. This copy was dated with the original document date of 1 February 2001.8 double sided pages of the Blind Bowls Victoria constitution and rulesnon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, blind bowls victoria -
Vision Australia
Document - Text, Swish Rules, 1983
Swish rules as authorised by the Victorian Swish Council on July 9, 1983. This book was part of the Braille & Talking Library collection in Commercial Road. Swish is a game played with a bat, ball and barriers on a tennis-table like court.1 spiral bound book of thermoform pagesrecreation, swish -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Angus & Robertson, Jacka's mob, 1933
The memoirs of an Australian farmer who served, as a private, NCO and officer in the battalion which included Captain Albert Jacka, V.C.Index, p.346.non-fictionThe memoirs of an Australian farmer who served, as a private, NCO and officer in the battalion which included Captain Albert Jacka, V.C.world war 1914-1918 - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - personal recollections -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Angus and Robertson, Bluey Truscott : Squadron Leader Keith William Truscott, RAAF, DFC and Bar, 1958
... as a footballer, playing Australian Rules for Melbourne's premiership team ...Biography of Keith William Truscott ('Bluey') concentrating on his service during World War II. Truscott, born at Prahran, Melbourne became one of Australia's best-known flying aces of the Second World War. Already famous as a footballer, playing Australian Rules for Melbourne's premiership team in 1939, Truscott enlisted in the RAAF in 1940 amidst considerable publicity.Ill, p.202.non-fictionBiography of Keith William Truscott ('Bluey') concentrating on his service during World War II. Truscott, born at Prahran, Melbourne became one of Australia's best-known flying aces of the Second World War. Already famous as a footballer, playing Australian Rules for Melbourne's premiership team in 1939, Truscott enlisted in the RAAF in 1940 amidst considerable publicity.world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia, world war 1939-1945 - aerial operations - australia -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Angus and Robertson, Horrie the wog-dog, 1955
The true story of Horrie the Wog-Dog who was adopted by the Australian Signal Platoon of the M/G Battalion, in spite of all rules against keeping pets, and how Horrie not only won his stripes as a valuable addition to the group but had the further distinction of being smuggled into Australia on their return. The Wog-Dog was sneaked into Greece, went through the evacuation, carried messages as well as proving a dependable warning against air attacks. He went to Syria and Palestine, never learning to tolerate Arabs - he suffered cold and sickness, he fell in love with Ishmi, he was bombed off his ship and he never once was found during all necessary cover-up travelling. A story for all dog lovers, in spite of heavy Australian slang and style, of a dinkum Aussie who was kept, protected and loved by dinkum Aussies. Sentimentality over canines seldom misses fire.Ill, p.232non-fictionThe true story of Horrie the Wog-Dog who was adopted by the Australian Signal Platoon of the M/G Battalion, in spite of all rules against keeping pets, and how Horrie not only won his stripes as a valuable addition to the group but had the further distinction of being smuggled into Australia on their return. The Wog-Dog was sneaked into Greece, went through the evacuation, carried messages as well as proving a dependable warning against air attacks. He went to Syria and Palestine, never learning to tolerate Arabs - he suffered cold and sickness, he fell in love with Ishmi, he was bombed off his ship and he never once was found during all necessary cover-up travelling. A story for all dog lovers, in spite of heavy Australian slang and style, of a dinkum Aussie who was kept, protected and loved by dinkum Aussies. Sentimentality over canines seldom misses fire. australia - armed forces - mascots, world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - north africa -
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 -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Photograph, black and white, c.1890
This 1890s photograph shows the early uniform worn by Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses, (known as 'Nurse', in those days), when visiting patients to administer nursing care.The Nurse is speaking with a patient who is sitting in his back garden. It shows the style of clothing and the rear of a weatherboard house of that era. 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 (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 and clothes 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 Nurse was employed but this was arduous work, particularly in the heat of summer and many Nurses only remained with the Society for several months. Black and white photograph of a Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurse (Nurse) wearing a white apron over her grey full length uniform, and wearing a white cap. She is standing and looking down at a man dressed in a white shirt and dark jacket and pants. He is sitting outside the rear of a weatherboard house, the boards of the house are applied vertically. A wooden ladder leans against another wooden building.melbourne district nursing society, mdns uniforms, rdns, royal district nursing service, mdns