This digital image is taken at the home of a Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) patient, and depicts a MDNS Sister attending to a lady who is lying in a wicker bed pram in the rear garden of her home. The wicker bed pram enabled the lady to enjoy fresh air and to be moved about easily. The image shows the MDNS uniform of a grey cotton frock with white collar, and a grey brimmed hat with a red Maltese cross in the centre of the hatband. In 1885, 50 years after Melbourne was founded, it was recognized that nursing care was needed for the sick poor in inner Melbourne. The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded in February 1885 with one Trained nurse, known as 'Nurse' in those days, and a second employed six months later,. 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. This image shows a Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurse (Sister) wearing a grey uniform with white collar, and a grey brimmed hat, which has a hatband with Maltese cross applied, standing behind and attending an elderly lady patient laying in a wicker bed pram outside her home. The Sister has her right hand resting on the pram and is looking down at the lady, and the lady, who has short grey hair, is smiling and looking toward the camera. Her body is covered with a floral cover. To the left, part of the horizontal weatherboards of a wooden house can be seen, and to the right and rear, a brick, tiled hip roof, building can be seen. The wicker bed pram has four spoked wheels and a metal frame that bends up to form a handle on its right hand side.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns nurses, mdns patient care, mdns uniforms, rdns, royal district nursing service

The Children's Cottages at Kew were first opened in 1887 as the "Idiot Ward" of Kew Asylum. Located on the asylum's grounds, the children's cottages were established to provide separate accommodation for child inmates who had previously been housed with adult patients. Although the Cottages only admitted children as patients, many of those children remained in residence at the Cottages as adults. The function of the institution was to provide accommodation and educational instruction for intellectually disabled children. Some Wards of the State and other various "difficult" children were also admitted.Shortly after opening, the Idiot Ward began functioning separately from the Kew Lunatic Asylum, and became known as the Kew Idiot Asylum from 1887 until c.1929. From 1929 they have been known as the "Children's Cottages, Kew" or alternatively "Kew Cottages Training Centre". The institution was finally closed in July 2008. [Source: Wikipedia, 2016]One of a series of framed historical photographs of the Kew Cottages that once formed part of the collection of the Kew Cottages Historical Society, founded by Dr. Cliff Judge and Fran Van Brummelen in the 1980s. The set contains both copies of originals in other collections such as the Public Record Office Victoria and photographs taken by Dr Judge for his books on intellectual disability in Victoria. The significance of the set of framed photographs is that they provide a curated collection of images of the development of the Cottages over a one hundred year period.Framed photograph, forming part of the Kew Cottages collection, donated by Kew Cottages Historical Society 1987-1993 in 1993. Dr. Judge was a consultant psychiatrist at the cottages for 14 years, as well as an author and vocal advocate for the intellectually disabled and their families.Kew Cottages - Dormitory (12 beds). A dormitory at the Cottages.kew cottages, dr cliff judge, kew cottages historical society 1987-1993

Furniture commissioned by Dr C E Backwell of Geelong from the Myer Emporium.Design drawing of bed and dresser. Drawing features furniture design of dresser with six drawers and mirror, and bed head with attached shelving for girls bedroom.Inscribed lower right 'Treatment / for girls / bedroom / TAS OAK / Dr C E BACKWELL GEELONG'coloured pencil, paper

The “Q” Theatre Guild was formed in 1957. It inherited the productions and casts of the earlier Kew Light Opera Company. The Guild initially performed in the Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later at the Kew Civic Hall (Cotham Road). A partial list of its performances include: 1957 The Geisha 1958 Maritana 1959 They All Do It (Cosi Fan Tutti) 1959 Blossom Time 1959 Love’s a Luxury 1960 There And Back & The Bohemian Girl 1960 Die Fledermaus 1961 Gay Rosalinda 1961 The Land of Smiles 1961 Kisses For A Kid & Hansel and Gretel 1962 Die Fledermaus 1964 Monsieur Beaucaire 1964 Macbeath [The Beggars’ Opera] 1964 The Beggars’ Opera Undated And So To BedThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme issued by the "Q" Theatre Guild for a performance of And So To Bed, a musical play based on the diaries of Samuel Pepys with music by Vivian Ellis, at the Kew City Theatre in 1961. "q" theatre guild, performing arts, and so to bed, theater (kew)

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Let it rain, let it blow... (lady in bed)Let it Rain, Let it Blow…/Warrnambool Blankets and Rugs/Warmer Wool from Warrnambool blanket, blanket fever, wool, warrnambool, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Hardcover book with two girls in bed on cover.This book presented to Ray Champion/Methodist Sunday School/Blackburn/April 1919books, children's

Folding metal Banana Lounge Camp Bed stawell

Located in the garden at Kooyong, at the intersection of the path to Talbot Crescent and the path leading to the Club house, this plaque marks the contribution of Val Short, a well liked volunteer who died in 1980. Previously this plaque was laid in the gardens outside Paterson Hall (Rose Garden?)Metal plaque with metal lettering in garden bed.Val Short In Memory of A Wonderful Friend 1980association for the blind, nameplate

Located in the garden at Kooyong, at the intersection of the path to Talbot Crescent and the path leading to the Club house, this plaque marks the contribution of Louise Zalay. Louise worked in the library area and was a familiar figure at Kooyong until her unexpected death in 2015. This plaque was unveiled by CEO Ron Hooten, with Louise's parents and many of her colleagues in attendance, and was accompanied with the planting of a rose bush.Metal plaque with inscription embedded in garden bed.In memory of Louise Zalay A friend and colleague for 20 years 1995-2015vision australia, nameplates

Photo of sign outside a POW camp, photo of Cpl J Archbold mounted on black cardNui Dat - Bed and Breakfast - Body guard - Running waterphotograph, cpl james archbold, collection point

Pair of folded bed sheets for 3/4 bed or large single bed plain cream weave. Label on sheets - R.O Henderson "The Beehive" Sheets are tied with yellow and red ribbon "The Beehive Store for Better Value" Sheets are priced 65/- . Still in original cellophane wrapping.the beehive, r.o. henderson, linen sheets

Bed pan ceramic white glaze 'Perfection' brandflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Slide. Bendigo Buildings. A round garden bed, in Ballarat.slide, bendigo, bendigo buildings., bendigo buildings.

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs MacDonald of Wangaratta Victoria's 2/24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. Many of the soldiers maintained life long friendships with the people of Wangaratta. Even though the Battation was disbanded in 1946 members and their families return each year, in November, for a commemorative service at the 2/24th Battalion Memorial Wall at the Wangaratta Cemetery.Cream paper envelope with sketch of a soldier in bed and a nurseTop left - "The reason for not writing sooner" Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side - Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australi Rear - Red cross ww2, envelope art

Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. Physician - years-of-bliss blankets (man asleep in bed) Physician - years-of-bliss blankets - just feel the difference!/Wonderfully warm, without weight…soft and fluffy after countless washings…made from the most luxurious wool in the world….and guaranteed for 20 years/Physician/Luxurious Woollen Blanketsblanket, blanket fever, wool, collins bros mills, physician, advertisement, australian women's weekly, geelong

Black and white image of a man imaking a bed for the night. bushman

1938 Armour Bed sheets still in original packaging bed linen, sheets, armour

Tin electric bed heater with 2 pin plug.domestic equipment, heating, bed heater, k78

House hold item, white china bed panchamber pot, bed pan