Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members. The ANF has been campaigning for more funding and qualified nurses to improve the quality of aged care for the past several decades, and continues to do so. Aged care campaigning became particularly prominent in the late 1990s and 2000s, with large campaigns by both the national and state/territory branches of the ANF. The Royal Australian Nursing Federation became the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) in 1989, and then became the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation in 2013, suggesting this badge is from the 1990s or early 2000s.Circular blue, green and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'Quality Aged Care needs Qualified Nurses' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo. 'needs' is italicised and 'Qualified Nurses' is underlined.nursing, nurses, unionism, aged care, lobbying, funding, badges, buttons, pins, staffing, trade unions, labour history, workforce, patient care, australian nursing federation, victoria

Badge campaigning against the Victorian Liberal government's widespread privatisation of the public health service (and other public services) in the 1990s, which resulted in job cuts and site closures throughout the state. The Australian Nursing Federation, the union representing nurses in Victoria, was a strong opponent of these cuts and closures, that resulted in pressure applied on an already overstretched and poorly resourced group of workers. "In a context of high unemployment and an ideological commitment to small government, there were widespread job losses and people affixed stickers to their cars saying 'I've been Jeffed', i.e. made redundant. The cuts were not confined to government employees and many staff of private enterprises also lost their jobs. This was the era of the 'consulting poor' as professional staff struggled to make a living as independent consultants, rather than employees. They were well paid for short term contracts, but continuity of work was hard to find." (Sally Wilde, 'The History of Prahran 1990-1994', 2000)Circular blue, red and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'I've been 'Jeffed' and I'm paying the Penalty!' and 'ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] VIC. [Victorian] BRANCH'. 'Jeffed' refers to the then Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett (1992-1999).nursing, nurses, victoria, jeff kennett, 1990s, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, protest, rationalisation, australia, politics, privatisation, australian nursing federation

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members and staff as part of a 2006 campaign protesting the controversial 'WorkChoices' federal industrial relations laws that were introduced by the Liberal John Howard government in 2005-2007. These laws saw the weakening of unfair dismissal laws, giving employers significantly more powers to strip existing rights and wages away. The laws were repealed following the election of an opposition Labor government in 2007 under Kevin Rudd. The 'Howard Target Nurses' campaign was featured in ANF Victorian Branch newsletters around late 2006. During this period, a number of enterprising bargaining agreements were set to soon expire, leaving nurses vulnerable to have rights stripped away under the new IR legislation. A large campaign began, with rallies across the state of Victoria. The August 2006 Branch newsletter featured images of the Tandberg 'Howard targets nurses' design on placards, shirts and badges worn by nurses at these rallies. The illustration by The Age cartoonist Ron Tandberg made reference to John Howard's involvement in wars in the Middle East throughout the early 2000s, and linked this to the 'war' on unions and worker rights.Circular yellow, red and white badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with a blue and white ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo, the black text '[then-Prime Minister John] Howard targets nurses' and a Ron Tandberg cartoon of a nurse with a 'sniper target' overlay.nursing, nurses, protest, campaign, activism, activists, unions, unionism, buttons, badges, pins, campaigning, john howard, ron tandberg, labour history, australian nursing federation, workchoices, workplace relations, industrial relations

Button worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members and staff as an ongoing campaign in the 1990s to 2000s to secure minimum nurse staffing in the public healthcare sector. 'no more than 1 to 4' denotes a ratio of one nurse to a maximum of four patients. During this period, staffing ratios were secured as part of bargaining negotiations between unions and employer groups. After decades of campaigning from the ANF/ANMF, ratios were legislated for the public sector in Victoria with the passing of the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient) Bill in 2015.Circular black and yellow badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'no more than 1 to 4'.nursing, nurses, ratios, workforce, staffing, badges, buttons, pins, campaigning, safe patient care (nurse to patient and midwife to patient ratios) act 2015, victoria

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation members campaigning against changes to nurses awards. The minimum wages and conditions an employee is entitled to are set out in awards (also known as modern awards). Awards don’t apply when an employer has an enterprise agreement or other registered agreement and the employee is covered by it. The Royal Australian Nursing Federation became the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) in 1989, and then became the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation in 2013, suggesting this badge is from the 1990s or early 2000s.Circular white and blue plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'hands off nurses' awards!' and 'AUSTRALIAN NURSING FEDERATION'.nurses, nursing, unionism, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, australian nursing federation, wages, working conditions, employment

Button worn and distributed to staff and interested parties as part of a campaign that supported maintaining bachelor of nursing and midwivery programs in the university system. In late 2007-2008, regulatory authorities in Victoria were considering the possibility of education providers from the Vocational Education & Training (VET) sector (e.g. TAFEs and RTOs) receiving accreditation to offer bachelor-level nursing and midwifery qualifications. The Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch), the peak industrial and professional body for Victorian nurses and midwives, resisted these moves, arguing that the approval of VET providers to offer Bachelor programs would have an adverse impact on the supply of registered nurses into the Victorian health workforce. Completion of a bachelor of nursing or midwifery remains a precondition of practising as a registered ('division 1') nurse or midwife in Australia.Circular blue and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with the white text 'University education for all Div[ision] 1 RNs [Registered Nurses] and [Registered Midwives]' and a small black and white image of a square academic/trencher cap.nurses, nursing, badges, education, training, qualifications, university, australian nursing federation, workforce, midwives, midwifery, undergraduate, registered nurse, registered midwife, buttons, pins

Circular blue, red and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with gold text 'Hurting nurses hurts patients' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo.

Circular white and red plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Button printed with the hand-drawn red text 'SAVE OUR HOSPITAL' and an image of a bandaged patient in tears.politics, protest, public protest, hospitals, public institutions, politics, political protest, campaigning, badges, buttons, pins

nurses, unionism, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, australian nursing federation, staffing, workforce, patient careCircular red plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'UNSHACKLE MENTAL HEALTH', the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo and an image of broken chains and shackles.nurses, mental health, nursing, unionism, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, australian nursing federation, funding

Fairfield Hospital opened in 1904 as the Queen's Memorial Infectious Diseases Hospital, the first purpose-built isolation hospital for infectious diseases in Victoria. Its 22-acre site was located on a bank of the Yarra River. It was renamed Fairfield Hospital in 1948. In its later years, the hospital was a centre for AIDS treatment in Victoria, and a passionate campaign fought against its planned closure in the 1990s. Fairfield Hospital finally closed in June 1996. One section of the site was gazetted as a Public Park and Memorial Garden (containing an AIDS Garden).Circular white and red plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with the red text 'SAVE FAIRFIELD HOSPITAL'. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back.medicine, health, public institutions, fairfield, victoria, city of darebin, melbourne, politics, political protest, public protest, campaigning, badges, buttons, pins, public health, infectious diseases, aids

Circular yellow and blue plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with text 'I'm losing patient with industrial changes' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo.

Run as part of recruitment campaign in 1996, a decade on from the 1986 Victorian 50-day nurses strike, the longest strike in Victorian nursing history. The 1990s saw new challenges for Victorian nurses, as the state government oversaw the widespread privatisation of the public health service and industrial reforms that gave greater power to employers. This resulted in site closures and the watering down of worker rights and conditions. This sticker recognises that the challenges for nurses are ongoing and encourages collective action.Rectangular gold and blue sticker. Sticker has warped and faded due to age. Sticker printed with 'Nurses act in '96 protecting gains of '86', the Australian Nursing Federation logo and 'Join the ANF Tel: 9347 0333'.nurses, nursing, australian nursing federation, sticker, stickers, campaigning, trade unions, labour history, victoria, jeff kennett

Thank-you card given to Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) staff member Catherine Hutchings by staff at the Bundaberg Branch of the Queensland Nurses Union. In 1993, Victorian Branch staff travelled throughout Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory for a series of meetings on recent events impacting nurses' conditions in Victoria. The meetings were strategically held ahead of the 1993 Federal election to discourage the election of a Coalition government. The election of the Coalition government in Victoria in 1992 had seen the introduction of the Employee Relations Act, which saw the end of the state award system in Victoria. This gave employers greater powers to establish wages and conditions and less power to the Industrial Relations Commission, foreshadowing what would later occur at a Federal level. An article in the Victorian Branch newsletter 'On the Record' from April 1993 describes the 'tour'. Entitled 'Vic. Nurses Spreading the Word in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory', it explains: "Catherine Huntchin[g]s and Elizabeth Hulme recently spent a week in Queensland informing nurses about the effect of a Liberal Government on nurses. As well, Tracy Austin visited WA to talk to nurses there about life under Kenneyt [sic]. Catherine and Liz held a total of 23 meetings from Cairns to Brisbane, as well as giving media interviews. It was well worth the effort and certainly there was much support given to nurses in Victoria. Perhaps the most interesting issue was that many nurses did not realise that they may find themselves in the same situation if we have a change in Federal Government. In February, Catherine went to the NT to talk to nurses in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine and despite some minor hiccoughs (the Health Department banned all the meetings so alternative venues had to be found) the turnout was gratifying - you have to be dedicated to attend a meeting held in a carpark in 32 C heat! Catherine says that the reception she received in both QLD and the NT was superb. "Everyone went out of their way to make us feel very welcome, and to shower us with sympathy over the situation. More important, is the fact that the information was distributed so no matter how the votes go on March 13 [1993, federal election] - they will be informed votes." she said. Catherine, Liz and Tracy extend sincere thanks to all interstate nurses who made their visits a success."Typed card given with flower bouquet. Printed on one side with personalised, typed message 'DEAR CATHERINE, UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED [sic] WE BEG THANKS FOR SPEAKING UP FOR US. FROM B'BERG [Bundaberg] BRANCH Q.N.U. [Queensland Nurses Union]'.nursing, nurses, unionism, solidarity, victoria, queensland, bundaberg, campaigning, 1993 federal election, 1992 victorian election, australian nursing federation, trade unions, politics, queensland nurses union, qnu, anf

Bumper sticker designed for community to show support for nurses. This sticker is one of many pieces of campaign materials and merchandise produced by the Australian Nursing Federation.Rectangular white and blue bumper sticker. Sticker printed with 'Nurses. We can't live without them.' in large blue font.nursing, nurses, stickers, bumper stickers, trade unions, merchandise, australian nursing federation

Sticker distributed to and used by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members and staff as part of a campaign to secure minimum nurse staffing in the public healthcare sector. This sticker was accompanied by a booklet 'Nursing the system back to health : Nurse patient ratios 2001', published in April 2002. The booklet describes some of the rationale for minimum staffing ratios and developments in 2000-2001 regarding campaigning for ratios, particular the landmark decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in 2000 that saw the ANF securing the world's first mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. After decades of campaigning from the ANF/ANMF, ratios were legislated for the public sector in Victoria with the passing of the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient) Bill in 2015. The web address on the sticker was active from 1999 to 2004, and the shortcut 'anfvic.asn.au' was active from April 2001, suggesting this sticker dates from around 2001.Rectangular yellow, blue and white bumper sticker. Badge printed with a blue and white ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo, the text 'Nurses Nursing the system back to health' and the (then) website of the ANF (Victorian Branch), 'www.vicnet.net.au/~anfvb/'.nursing, ratios, workforce, staffing, nurses, unionism, stickers, campaigning, trade unions, labour history, safe patient care (nurse to patient and midwife to patient ratios) act 2015, australian nursing federation, enterprise bargaining, victoria

Bumper sticker campaigning for improvements to the wages and conditions to nurses. This sticker is one of many pieces of campaign materials and merchandise produced by the Australian Nursing Federation.Rectangular white and blue bumper sticker. Sticker printed with 'KEEP NURSES NURSING - IMPROVE NURSES' CONDITIONS' in large blue font.nursing, nurses, 1990s, stickers, bumper stickers, trade unions, labour history, australia, australian nursing federation, anf

Campaign material for the Victorian Labor Party ahead of the 2002 Victorian State Election, campaigning for Bronwyn Pike in the seat of Melbourne. Education and health polled as key issues ahead of the election. Labor comfortably won the election, gaining 20 seats, returning Steve Bracks as Premier. Robert Doyle was the opposition leader. Despite a heavy loss and lacking popularity with the Victorian community, Doyle continued as opposition leader following the election.Double-sided square white coaster with blue and red text. Printed on front with Australian Labor Party logo and authorisation, along with the following text: 'BRACKS LABOR healthy meal ♢ more nurses ♢ more teachers ♢ more police ♢ more jobs ♢ more services ♢ decent government Bronwyn Pike MELBOURNE' Printed on rear with blue decorative border and the following text: 'LIBERAL DOYLE-Y ♢ take away schools ♢ take away nurses ♢ take away jobs ♢ take away services ♢ take away democracy'Signed in blue pen by Steve Bracks, the 44th Premier of Victoria (1999-2007). Stained on bottom corner. Printed by BR Printing, 30 Albermarle St, Kensington, Victoria.victoria, election, campaign, education, health, politics, labor party, state politics, 2002 state election, steve bracks, robert doyle, nurses, nursing

Owned by long-time Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch) Professional Officer Catherine Hutchings.1998 federal election campaign material by Victorian Trades Hall. Full colour bi-fold brochure, using images depicting 1998 Australian waterfront dispute. Text on front: 'Welcome to John Howard's Australia. In 1996, John Howard promised that under his industrial relations laws, 'no worker would be worse off'. In 1998, his government cheered on the illegal sacking of 2000 workers. His laws have changed our system from one of fairness and decency to a system that encourages conflict and division. John Howard's laws are undermining Australian wages and working conditions by attacking unions, encouraging individual contracts and dismantling the award system and the Industrial Relations Commission. On October 3rd [1998], use your vote wisely Your job may depend on it.' Text on rear: 'Five Facts About Industrial Relations Under John Howard Workers have lost award conditions and legal protections. Australian wages are being undermined by individual contracts and non-union agreements. Companies can use corporate law to sack workforces and not pay wages owed. Workers have been sacked because they belong to a Union. Conflict and Division in the workforce has increased. On October 3rd [1998], use your vote wisely. Your job may depend on it.'victoria, australia, john howard, liberal party, 1998 federal election, protest, industrial relations, unions, trade unions, trades hall, carlton, politics, political history, waterfront dispute, events, labour history, solidarity

Photograph provided by Catherine Hutchings, long-time Professional Officer at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch). The photographer is unknown. This is one of three photographs depicting Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) members engaged in industrial action at the Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, Victoria, Australia in 1993. The dispute related to attempts by hospital management to reduce the nurses' access to ADOs (Allocated Days Off). The nurses engaged in rolling walk-outs to express their resistance, setting up out the front of the hospital with picnic rugs and chairs, food and drinks, umbrellas, and placards, to gain the awareness and support of the Victorian community. This industrial action occurred at a time when the Victorian Liberal government, led by Jeff Kennett (1992-1999), engaged in the widespread privatisation and rationalisation of many public services, including the health service. The Australian Nursing Federation, the union representing nurses in Victoria, was a strong opponent of the resulting job cuts and site closures, and engaged in various political and industrial campaigns during this time to protect and advance staffing levels, wages and working conditions.Colour photograph depicting Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) members engaged in industrial action outside the Sunshine Hospital, St Albans in the early 1990s (estimated 1993).nursing, nurses, victoria, st albans, sunshine hospital, western health, melbourne, industrial action, labour history, australian nursing federation, jeff kennett, 1990s history

Photograph provided by Catherine Hutchings, long-time Professional Officer at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch). The photographer is unknown. This is one of three photographs depicting Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) members engaged in industrial action at the Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, Victoria, Australia in 1993. The dispute related to attempts by hospital management to reduce the nurses' access to ADOs (Allocated Days Off). The nurses engaged in rolling walk-outs to express their resistance, setting up out the front of the hospital with picnic rugs and chairs, food and drinks, umbrellas, and placards, to gain the awareness and support of the Victorian community. This industrial action occurred at a time when the Victorian Liberal government, led by Jeff Kennett (1992-1999), engaged in the widespread privatisation and rationalisation of many public services, including the health service. The Australian Nursing Federation, the union representing nurses in Victoria, was a strong opponent of the resulting job cuts and site closures, and engaged in various political and industrial campaigns during this time to protect and advance staffing levels, wages and working conditions.Colour photograph depicting Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) members engaged in industrial action outside the Sunshine Hospital, St Albans in the early 1990s (estimated 1993).nursing, nurses, victoria, st albans, sunshine hospital, western health, melbourne, industrial action, labour history, australian nursing federation, jeff kennett, 1990s history

Photograph provided by Catherine Hutchings, long-time Professional Officer at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch). The photographer is unknown. This is one of three photographs depicting Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) members engaged in industrial action at the Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, Victoria, Australia in 1993. The dispute related to attempts by hospital management to reduce the nurses' access to ADOs (Allocated Days Off). The nurses engaged in rolling walk-outs to express their resistance, setting up out the front of the hospital with picnic rugs and chairs, food and drinks, umbrellas, and placards, to gain the awareness and support of the Victorian community. This industrial action occurred at a time when the Victorian Liberal government, led by Jeff Kennett (1992-1999), engaged in the widespread privatisation and rationalisation of many public services, including the health service. The Australian Nursing Federation, the union representing nurses in Victoria, was a strong opponent of the resulting job cuts and site closures, and engaged in various political and industrial campaigns during this time to protect and advance staffing levels, wages and working conditions.Colour photograph depicting Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) members engaged in industrial action outside the Sunshine Hospital, St Albans in the early 1990s (estimated 1993).nursing, nurses, victoria, st albans, sunshine hospital, western health, melbourne, industrial action, labour history, australian nursing federation, jeff kennett, 1990s history

This set of books was given to Cornelius (Con) O’Mahony in 1883 when he won the Bowen Prize Essay Competition awarded by the University of Melbourne. The Bowen Prize was established in 1874 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir George Bowen. This was then awarded annually to the person who was a student or ex-student of the University of Melbourne who wrote the best essay on matters relating to British and British Empire history or literature. Con O’Mahony’s essay was on the Federation of the Australian Colonies. Con O’Mahony, born in Bendigo, studied at Melbourne University in the early 1880s. He was a lawyer in Kepler Street, Warrnambool from the late 1880s to his death in 1920, firstly in partnership with E. Klingender and later operating under the name of O’Mahony and Murray. These books are most important because: 1. They are a very attractive set of books with considerable antiquarian value. 2. They were given as the prize for winning the 1883 Bowen Prize at Melbourne University – a prestigious award still today. 3. They were given for a prize-winning essay on the advantages of Federation in Australia. The essay was written 17 years before Federation and so they forms an interesting part of the Australia-wide campaign for Federation. 4. The prize books were awarded to Con O’Mahony who played his part in Warrnambool’s late 19th century and early 20th century history as a prominent lawyer in the town for over 30 years.These ten volumes of books have hard covers in a dark red colour with a gold leather spine and leather reinforcements on the edges of the front and back covers. The front cover has an embossed gold emblem of the University of Melbourne and the spine has ornamental gold, black and red patterning and gold lettering. The insides of the cover have blue, red and orange mottled patterning and this is repeated on the edging of the pages. There are approximately 400 pages in each volume. A typed page on the Bowen Prize is inserted in the front of the first volume and the inscription on every volume is handwritten in black ink. The covers are a little scuffed and slightly torn in some volumes. Volume 1: ‘Con O’Mahony Sandhurst Mch 1883’ Volumes 11, 111, 1V, V, V1, V111, 1X, X: ‘Con O’Mahony Sandhurst 2 July 1883’ Volume V11: ‘Con O’Mahony Sandhurst 1883’ con o’mahony, bowen prize, history of warrnambool, federation movement in australia

One of the many events held during National Arthritis Week in 2004 was a Tai Chi exercise demonstration at Federation Square in Melbourne. In this photo, four Tai Chi instructors are demonstrating some of the exercises under a large electronic advertising billboard on the side of one of the buildings in the square. The billboard was commissioned to promote the "Tai Chi for Arthritis" campaign. The event is featured in a round up of the National Arthritis Week 2004 events on pages 12-13 of the Vol 17 issue 2, Winter 2004 edition of the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's quarterly magazine, Update.COL photo of four people standing beneath a large electronic advertising billboard on the side of a tall building. They are all wearing yellow t-shirts. The advertising billboard displays white text on a red background. The text is, "Tai Chi for Arthritis", with the respective text and logos for 'Arthritis Victoria' and 'Osteoporosis Victoria' below that.[In the bottom right corner, handwritten in black ink] Tai Chi NAW 04arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, arthritis victoria, av, national arthritis week, naw, tai chi, exercise demonstration, federation square, advertising billboard, electronic billboard, tai chi for arthritis, melbourne, 2004