The RDNS Sisters are both holding the 1st day Cover Envelope issued by the Australian Postal Department in 1985 to commemorate the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society on the 17th of February 1885. A stamp is in the right hand top corner of the envelope. The main body of the stamp is pale blue. On the top of the stamp, written in deeper blue/grey, are the words "Centenary of District Nursing Services 1985" Below this, and to the right, is a pale bone colour original sign on a metal fence which reads, in white capital letters, "Melbourne District Nursing Society" Standing on the left in the foreground is a MDNS Trained nurse (Nurse) in her long grey uniform frock with white collar, cuffs and belt. She is wearing a grey helmet style hat which has a white hat band with a red Maltese cross in the centre. Her black shoes can also be seen. She is holding a bicycle; only the front wheel and part of the frame and the handlebars, which have a brown nursing bag strapped to them, can be seen, The nursing bag and handlebars cover part of the MDNS sign. At the bottom of the stamp, on a strip of white background, are the words in capital letters "Australia 33c". Below the stamp is a rectangular1st mark. On the left half of the envelope are some sketches of several two storey buildings either side of a set of steps. Some adults and children are standing on the steps as well as in the foreground; some are sketched and others dressed in various coloured clothing. In the foreground right in front of steps, stands a lady with her hair drawn up and wearing along grey frock and white apron; partly seen against her right side is a small child dressed in brown. Sister Willie Fleming is the Supervisor of the RDNS Sunshine Centre and Sister Phillipa Kariko is Supervisor of Essendon Centre. They are wearing their RDNS uniforms of white short sleeve blouses under royal blue V neck tunic style frocks. The RDNS insignia is round and has royal blue writing on a white background. In Melbourne in 1885 it was recognized that skilled nursing was needed 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 towns in UK’. On that day the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded, the first District Nursing Service 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 at a Hospital 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 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, not the term ‘Sister’ that is used these days. A second Trained nurse, Mrs. Joanna Cannon, was employed in late 1885, with a trial period of six months which was extended. 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 they 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. A Midwifery Service commenced in August 1893 with Nurse Fowler the first trained Midwife. She had previously worked with the Society carrying out General nursing. The Society expanded its areas using public transport and with the Society purchasing bicycles in 1903, before procuring its first cars to cope with the influx of patients during the Spanish influenza epidemic in 1919, though these were sold in 1927 due to their poor condition..A Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take Sisters to patients, and some Sisters used their own cars; even a motorcycle was used by one Sister in 1933. All these forms of transport were intermingled and in the early 1950s, and now as Melbourne District Nursing Service, seven Ford Prefect cars were bought followed by twelve Ford Anglia vehicles in 1955. Having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own fleet of Holden vehicles by the mid 1960s and the Motor Auxiliary ceased operating in 1971 as by then all staff employed were required to have a driving licence. Seat-belts had been introduced to Victoria in 1959 and District fitted them to their cars from 1962, even though they did not become compulsory until 1970. The Holden vehicles were replaced with grey Holden Torana vehicles. After several years the fleet was changed to white Toyota Corolla vehicles. The Melways Directory of maps was introduced in 1966, which was a boon to the Sisters, though it was a few years before it went beyond Seville, so a large paper map was used by the Sisters visiting patients in the areas passed Seville. By 2009 there were 598 cars in the fleet and the Sisters travelled 9 million 200,000 kilometres – this is equivalent to 12 trips to the moon and back. Over its years of expansion the RDNS Trained nurses (Sisters), continued to visit patients in their homes and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as Amputees, those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary. On the left of the black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sister Willie Fleming, who has curly blonde hair, and on the right, Sister Phillipa Kariko, who has short dark hair. They are standing outside Essendon RDNS Centre.. They are both wearing their RDNS summer uniform of dark V neck tunic style frocks, with emblazoned RDNS insignia on its upper left, over short sleeve white blouses, Each are holding an envelope with writing, sketched buildings and figures on the envelopes left side, and a stamp is on the upper right corner. Below the stamp is writing in a rectangle. Behind the Sisters is a brick wall with them hiding some of the white capital letters of the words 'District Nursing Service' and 'Essendon Centre'. Windows and part of the fascia of the building is seen behind this.Handwritten informationmelbourne district nursing society, melbourne district nursing service, mdns, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns centre, sister willie fleming, sister phillipa kariko, rdns 1st day cover centenary envelope

Sister Ford is based at Moorabbin Centre and is visiting a patient in her home to give her nursing care. Sr. Ford's uniform coat was of blue/grey herringbone winter material and the RDNS curved insignia is attached to her upper left sleeve, It has a royal blue background edged in white and the words "Royal District Nursing Service" written in white capital letters.The Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures, throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care their Trained nurses (Sisters) provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.Black and white photograph showing Royal District Nursing Service,(RDNS), Sister H. Ford, who has long dark hair drawn back and is wearing her RDNS winter uniform grey coat with RDNS insignia on the upper sleeve, standing in front of the opened wire door on the veranda of a patient's home. She has her right hand resting on the door frame and she is holding the black handle on the top of her black oblong nursing case in her left hand. To her left is the partially opened white wooden door with upper glass area, with the partial view of a lady seen in the opening. The lady has dark short hair; is wearing glasses and a light coloured frock and cardigan. The white wooden boards of the house can be seen. Photographer stamp. Quote No. KY 60royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns patient care, sister h. ford, rdns centre

Sister H. Ford is from the RDNS Moorabbin Centre and is visiting a patient to give her nursing care. She is standing with the lady on her veranda. Sister Ford is wearing her RDNS winter uniform coat which was made of blue/grey herringbone winter material. The coat has a collar and is buttoned at the front. The RDNS curved insignia attached to the top of the sleeve has a royal blue background edged in white and with the words "Royal District Nursing Service" written in white capital letters.The Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures, throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Trained nurses (Sisters) provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.On the left of the black and white photograph is the upper frontal view of Sister H. Ford from the Royal District Nursing Service,(RDNS). She standing with a lady on her veranda. Sister Ford, who has her long dark hair drawn back is smiling at the client. She is wearing her grey uniform coat To her right is a partial back and side view of the lady, who has short dark curly hair and is wearing glasses. She is wearing a light coloured top and has a string of pearls around her neck. A tall wooden fence and flowering bushes are seen in the background.Photographer stamp. Quote No. KY 62royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns patient care, sister h. ford

Sr. Tarn is based at the RDNS Heidelberg Centre and is wearing her RDNS uniform of a royal blue V neck tunic style frock over a white short sleeve blouse, and her uniform royal blue peaked cap with the central attached RDNS insignia. The photograph is taken at two year old Lynette Singh's home. Gradually over the years, Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966 when they received Royal patronage, opened Centres throughout the Melbourne Metropolitan area and outer suburbs with Heidelberg Centre opening in 1971. Their Trained nurses (Sisters) left from these Centres each morning to carry out their nursing visits in a specific area (district), taking any sterilized equipment needed with them. They returned at the end of the day to write up their patients nursing histories, clean and reset any equipment used ready for re-sterilization, and contact other medical and community personal as necessary. The Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures, throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care their Trained nurses (Sisters) provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.Black and white photograph of Sister (Sr.) Joan Tarn of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), holding little Lynette Singh in her arms. On the left of the photograph is the upper view of Sr. Tarn who is slightly turned to her left, and has her left arm under Lynette supporting her, and her right hand is on the upper area of Lynette's left arm . She is smiling as she holds Lynette who has a round visage; is looking to her left and her dark curled hair is against Sr. Tarn's left cheek; her left arm is extended over Sr. Tarn's right shoulder. She is wearing a frock with a white background and dark poker dot top section and a darker patterned skirt. Sr. Tarn is wearing her RDNS uniform of a dark V neck tunic style frock over a white short sleeve blouse. Her uniform peaked cap with the central RDNS insignia is worn over her dark curled short hair. In the background the weatherboards of Lynette's home can be seen with a short curtain covering part of a window.Photographer stamp. Quote No. LF 88royal district nursing service, rdns, sister joan tarn, lynette singh

The photograph is taken in the RDNS Education Department at 448 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Mrs. Gerardi and Mr. J. Psaros are Telephone interpreters. Sr. E. Comb is learning, by role play, how best to communicate with people who have limited understanding of English. The other Sisters are observing the role play. One Sister is wearing the RDNS winter uniform of a dark blue cardigan over a light blue/grey skivvie and V neck tunic style frock made of blue/grey herringbone winter material. Sr. Perillo is wearing the RDNS summer uniform of a short sleeve white blouse under a royal blue V neck tunic style frock. The RDNS logo is seen on the upper left of the frock. The other uniforms are a royal blue dress with white piping around collars.The Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures, throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. The RDNS Trained nurses (Sisters) visited patients from many different cultural backgrounds, and Education was given to their Sisters to assist them when speaking with the patients and giving them care. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.In the left foreground of this black and white photograph is a side-on view of Mrs. G, Gerardi, who is wearing glasses; has dark curly hair, and is wearing a black and grey vertically striped dress. She is sitting on a chair in front of a group of RDNS Sisters sitting at small rectangular tables which are butted together. Slightly to her left rear sits Mr. J. Psaros, who has short thick dark hair; is wearing a black leather type jacket, black trousers, white shirt and dark tie. He is looking at Mrs. Gerardi. To his left sits Sister (Sr.) E. Comb, who has short dark hair and is wearing a uniform dark cardigan over a dark dress with white piping on the collar. She is facing the group and looking at Mrs. Gerardi. In the centre of the photograph is the first of the seven RDNS Sisters at tables, five in the front, and two partly hidden in the row behind; they are also looking at Mrs. Gerardi. This Sister has curly dark hair and is wearing day clothes of dark slacks and a dark top, with white circle logo, over a white blouse the peaks of which are seen. The Sister. to her right has short straight dark hair and is wearing a dark cardigan over a light grey skivvie and V neck tunic style frock. The name on a card in front of her is indistinguishable, but 'Footscray' is seen. The next, Sr. Arrisa Perillo, has short curly dark hair and is wearing a short sleeve white blouse under a dark V neck tunic style dress. Her name and the word 'Footscray' is on a card in front of her. The next Sr. has short blonde curly hair and is wearing a dark cardigan over a dark dress with white piping around the peaks of the collar. The next the Sister is partly hidden. Her name is written on a card in front of her, this is indistinguishable except for the word 'Caulfield'. A large dark handbag with light colour motif on it, sits on the light colour carpet under the front section of Sr. Perillo's table. In the background are five windows with open Venetian blinds. Barry Sutton. Quote LJ60rdns education, royal district nursing service, rdns, telephone interpreters, mrs g. gerardi, mr j. psaros, sister e. comb, sister perillo

RDNS Sr. Clare McHugh is attending Mr. Stevenson in his home to give him nursing care. She is about to fasten the wheelchair safety belt across Mr. Stevenson's lap to ensure he does not fall out of the wheelchair. The Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures, throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. The RDNS Trained nurses (Sisters) visited patients from many different cultural backgrounds, and Education was given to their Sisters to assist them when speaking with the patients and giving them care. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as Amputees, those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary. In the centre of this black and white photograph is Mr. Stevenson, an elderly gentleman, who has balding light hair; is wearing dark rimmed glasses, and is wearing a black cardigan over a grey shirt. A small amount of his grey trousers can be seen. He is sitting in a wheelchair and is looking at the camera. He has a light coloured small blanket tucked under and over the stumps of his above the knee amputated legs. Standing behind his chair, and slightly to his left, is a lady who is wearing glasses; has wavy light grey hair and is wearing a dark grey cardigan over her light coloured patterned frock. Her right hand is seen holding the handle of the wheelchair, and she is looking down at Mr. Stevenson. To the right is Sister Clare McHugh of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), who is slightly bent as she has her hands on the left and right sides of the safety belt across Mr. Stevenson's lap. The belt is attached to either side of the wheelchair. Sr. McHugh has straight blonde hair; only part of her face can be seen as she looks at Mr. Stevenson. She is wearing a white gown over her uniform. In the left background is part of a brick fireplace with wood mantelpiece. A patterned plate and dark items are on the left of the mantelpiece and flowers are seen on the right. Above this, part of a square mirror can be seen. To the right, part of a lounge chair is seen and behind this, an open check curtain and part of a voile curtain is seen. The floor is covered with a light and dark patterned carpet.Barry Sutton LW 6 Namesroyal district nursing service, rdns, rdns nursing care, rdns physiotherapy, sister clare mchugh, mr stevenson

A Control Joy Stick presented to Pilot Officer Eric V. Read in 1937 after it was recovered from an aircraft he was flying had crashed in the Brisbane Ranges in December 1936. Eric Read was a 21 year old RAAF pilot who was on a flight over the Bacchus Marsh region to make meteorological observations. Read's plane came down in bad weather and crashed into a heavily wooded area of the Brisbane Ranges between Staughton Vale and Mount Wallace. An extensive air and ground search was conducted and after 32 hours Read was located, alive, but badly injured and unable to get out of the cockpit of the plane. He was first located from the air and then a rescue party was able to reach him through rough country and bring him to safety. Read recovered from his injuries and many years later gifted the control stick of the aircraft he had been flying as an item for the collection of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society.This item is of local historical significance as an object related to a notable aircraft accident and subsequent rescue of the pilot. It is also significant for its rarity as a surviving piece of aviation equipment from this era.Control or Joy stick mounted on a wooden base.aircraft, aircraft accidents, eric v. read

On the 20th November 1952 SEC linesmen Stewart Aicken, Donald Odames and Desmond Veraker were working on the corner of Gisborne Road and Masons Lane in Bacchus Marsh. Veraker was in the air in a harness working on power lines when he was electrocuted. Aicken and Odames were on the ground and attempted to rescue him and revive him. Sadly Vereker died from his injuries. Aicken and Odames were later given bravery awards by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for their actions.Royal Humane Society of Australasia certificate presented to Stewart Aicken to recognise the bravery of his actions on the 20th November 1952 in attempting to rescue fellow linesman Desmond Vereker from electrocution. It was awarded to him to accompany a bronze medal also awarded to Aicken for this act of bravery. The certificate and bronze medal are housed in a frame. Underneath the bronze medal is a black and white photograph of Aicken receiving the award from the Governor of Victoria Sir Dallas Brooks in 1953. Also in the photograph is an unidentified man and woman. The unidentified man is probably Donald Odames who was with Aicken on the 20th November 1952 and was also recognised for his bravery by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia.awards, accidents

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members working in emergency departments. 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 green and red plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'EMERGENCY NURSES', 'Fighting For Your Life' and 'Australian Nursing Federation Victorian Branch'.nursing, emergency department, hospital, accident and emergency, nurses, emergency nurses, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, patient care, australian nursing federation, victoria

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members to promote safe movement of patients to reduce workplace injury. The Australian Nursing Federation Victorian Branch implemented the 'No Lifting' (now 'safe patient handling') policy in March 1998. The aim of the policy was to introduce in Victorian healthcare settings an approach to patient handling whereby the manual lifting of patients would be eliminated or minimised wherever possible. This Branch policy and strategies to implement it were a response to high incidence of back pain and workplace injury amongst nurses. The 'No Lifting' policy was accompanied by various conferences and expos to discuss harm minimisation strategies throughout 1998-2009, suggesting this badge is from this period.Circular red, black and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'I am a No Lifting Nurse', 'Caring for you' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo.nurses, nursing, back injuries, occupational health and safety, patient handling, trade unions, professional bodies, workplace injury, accident prevention, badges, buttons, pins, changing healthcare practice, australian nursing federation

A 62 page book outlining the loss of the Beaufort Bomber and the search to locate it. The book includes maps, illustrations and a bibliography. The cover features a map of the search area for the bomber.This book tracks the crash of the RAAF Beaufort, A9-228 which crashed in the mountains near Eskdale, Victoria and the search to locate the wreckage. On the night of 4 June 1945, just weeks before the end of World War 1, a Beaufort Bomber went missing whilst conducting a navigational exercise between Mount Gambier in South Australia and Sale in Victoria.The aircraft was meant to head east, but instead it headed north east due to a series of navigational errors. It flew over Albury, circled and then headed towards the Victorian Alps. It flew over the town of Eskdale in Northeast Victoria and crashed into the side of Mount Tawonga. All crew on board perished. Those lost were Flight Officer Don Flavel (pilot), Flight Officer Robert Clayton (navigator), Flight Officer Fred Wallis and Flight Sergeant L. J. Sims (radio operator). At the time of the crash, many members of the Eskdale community were in the public hall just beginning to watch a screening of the Bing Crosby movie, "Going My Way". This accounts for the title of the publication.beaufort bomber crash 1945, beaufort bomber eskdale, aircraft accidents victoria

Ill, p.52.non-fictionA chronological listing of railway accidents in Australiarailway accidents - australia, railway safety - australia

Ill, p.52.non-fictionA chronological listing of railway accidents in Australiarailway accidents - australia, railway safety - australia

Bib, ill, p.224.non-fictionA chronological description of Australian railway disastersrailway accidents - australia, railway safety - australia

Ill, p.205.non-fictionThe inquiry into the Sunshine railway disaster of 1908railway accidents - victoria, railway safety - victoria

Ill, index, p.67.non-fictionDescription of Victorian railway accidentsrailway accidents - victoria, railway safety - victoria

Ill, p.159.non-fictionDescriptions of new Zealand railway accidents railway accidents - new zealand, railway safety - new zealand

Ill, p.178.non-fictionDescriptions of New Zealand railway accidents railway accidents - new zealand, railway safety - new zealand

Ill, p.48.non-fictionDescriptions of New Zealand railway accidents railway accidents - new zealand, railway safety - new zealand

Set of twelve colour photographs of the derailment of Tram No. 18 on the depot fan (2 and 3 road points) on 13 March 1996. Included within the cataloguing sheet are a copy of the report to the traffic manager and the envelope from Frank Puls. Photographs by Jenny Puls, on Kodak paper. The report is a photocopy of the original held by the Traffic Manager. .1 - Frank standing by No. 18 .2 - No. 1 end showing derailed wheel .3 - From the south side .4 - Close up photo showing marks on rail from the wheel. .5 - From the north side .6 - Dave Macartney locating jacks .7 - Looking west towards the depot .8 - From the northside during rerailing .9 - Alan Snowball holding towbar with 661 in the background .10 - 18 and 661 .11 - Being coupled to No. 38 .12 - Being towed back on with Alan Snowball observing. On rear of each photo in stamped in black ink "13 March 1996"accidents, btm, derailments, depot fan, tram 18, tram 661, tram 38

Newspaper Clipping - from a newspaper titled "Off the Rails" about the derailment of tram 750, running a route 82, Moonee Ponds at Rosamond Road, Maidstone the previous evening. Cutting undated and source not known. Notes derailment was due to stones packed into the track. Photo has the Emergency Crew truck rerailing the tram. C1960. Though to be early 1960's as there are advertisements on the front of the tram. See image i2 for a photo of the tramcar record of the era.trams, tramways, derailments, accidents, rosamond rd, route 82, tram 750, w5 class

Newspaper Clipping - set of one clippings adhered to one side of a sheet of ruled quarto paper with punched holes on the left hand side - from The Herald newspaper reporting on an event that morning when tram 1025 was travelling along Plenty Road Preston without a driver. Has a photo of James Davison a motorist who spotted the situation and of James McCougan who along with the conductor stopped the tram just before Murray Road. Cutting undated - cApril / May 1969. a comment from the MMTB Chairman, Mr. Risson.trams, tramways, accidents, drivers, runaway, plenty rd, tram 1025

Newspaper Clipping - set of four clippings adhered to two sides of two sheets of ruled quarto paper with punched holes on the left hand side - from newspapers about the removal of trams from Melbourne 1 - Part one of a Large article written by John Messer of The Age, titled "City that went off the rails" about the impact of the closure of the Brisbane tramway system, quotes Brisbane City Mayor - Clem Jones. Dated 7/5/1969 2 - Second part "Is it time to get rid of Trams", dated 8/5/1969 following the closure of the Brisbane system. Mainly quotes from Brisbane transport officials with some Sydney officials. Has photos of a tram in Swanston St and a crowded tram. 3 - "Willy-nilly scrapping of trams 'nonsense'" - written by F. R. Kirby - Acting Chairman of the MMTB - The Age" responding to John Messer's articles. The Age 20/5/1969. 4 - letter from Bernard Boles of Reservoir about the removal of trams in Collins St and replacement by buses. 5 - "Hour fight to free trapped driver" - The Age 19/5/1969 - about the collision of a panel van at corner of High and Chapel St Prahran 6 - Set of two Letters from Edward Sykes and V. Lovel about the removal of trams - for and against.trams, tramways, brisbane trams, sydney trams, closure, tram replacement, buses, collins st, accidents, letter to the editor

Report - 7 A4 sheets - Photocopied, stapled into the top left hand corner, titled "Report for Department of Infrastructure on Investigation into Braking Irregularity on R1808 on Sunday 12 October 2003", prepared by Safety Action Pty Ltd 20/11/2003. Has a table of Contents. Gives the background to the braking issues suffered by R1808, Sydney Tram operated by Bendigo Tramways, summary, investigation, factual circumstances, findings, conclusions, recommendations and references.trams, tramways, accidents, brakes, tours, sydney trams

Photocopy of two newspaper clippings about the destruction of Z99 at Preston Workshops 20/9/1994. .1 - "$50,000 tram gutted by fire" from the Herald Sun, Midday Edition, reporting on the event. Has a photo of fireman working on the tram roof. Photo by Trevor Pinder, quotes Ray Wilson PTC spokesman. .2 - "Tram up in flames" - from Preston Post Times, 27/9/1994 with a photo of the burnt tram and Brian Carter of the workshops examining the damage. Photos by Carmelo Bazzano.trams, tramways, z class, preston workshops, fire, accidents, tram 99

Set of three photocopies of newspaper articles and photographs of the launch of the City Circle tram service and the breakdown of tram No. 1000 on its launch by the Minister for Transport Mr. Brown. Also reports of other incidents involved with the launch of the tram. Quotes Mr. Brown and Jeff Kennett. Also details of the sources of funding - Federal Government Better Cities Program. .1 - The Age - 29/4/1994 - with a photograph of 1000. .2 - Geelong Advertiser - 29/4/1994 - "Jolly pollies in trolley folly". .3 - The Age 29/4/1994 - titled "The tram, the launch, the Premier and his stout" - lists those involved. .4 - The Age, different edition with a different arrangement and headline - titled "Trams go a little loop on the new city route" item written by John Mangan, photo Simon O' Dwyer and John Lambtrams, tramways, city circle, launch, accidents, tram 1000