From Glen Iris.Dark blue and red felt triangular pennant with red cotton edging and cream screen printed text."'D' GRADE CAMBERWELL CHURCHES TABLE TENNIS ASSN. HART. PRES. GOLD PREMIERS 1952"camberwell churches table tennis association

Dog tag and keyK S Hodgson SMN PM7767 Pres. MOSS 2 D. Locker key no. D2115

Awarded at Geelong 1960Awarded at Competition 1960Cup on stem with two handles, mounted on plastic baseGeelong Demonstration 1960 Discipline Contest Class "B" Pres. by Country Fire Authority Thirdkyneton fire brigade, country fire authority, trophy, fire brigade demonstrations, fire brigade discipline contest

Awarded for Discipline Contest Geelong 1964Awarded for Discipline Contest in 1964Cup mounted on bakerlite, with two handles. Geelong Demonstration 1964 Discipline Contest Class "B" Pres. by Country Fire Authority Thirdkyneton fire brigade, trophy, country fire authority, fire brigade demonstrations, fire brigade discipline contest

Awarded for Discipline Contest Mildura 1963, Class "B", first placePart of Kyneton Fire Brigade trophy collection Silver coloured cone urn with lid. Engraved bakerlite base. Mildura Demonstration 1963 Discipline Contest Class "B" Pres by Country Fire Authority FIRSTkyneton fire brigade, country fire authority, trophy, fire brigade discipline contest, fire brigade demonstrations

Won by Kyneton Brigade at competition in Ballarat in 1959. Part of Kyneton Brigade trophy collectionSilver cup with decorative handles mounted on fluted Bakelite base. BALLARAT DEMONSTRATION 1959 DISCIPLINE CONTEST Class "B" Pres. by COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY First kyneton fire brigade, country fire authority, fire brigade demonstrations, fire brigade discipline contest, trophy

Awarded at Geelong 1950 Discipline Contest SecondPart of Kyneton Fire Brigade trophy collectionSilver cup with decorative handles mounted on Bakelite base. Base has some decoration. GEELONG DEMONSTRATION 1950 DISCIPLINE CONTEST Class 'E' Pres. by COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY Secondkyneton fire brigade, country fire authority, trophy, fire brigade demonstrations, fire brigade discipline contest, geelong

Book- Cardboard cover,khaki, black writing, red and green illustrations ‘LEST WE FORGET. RED CROSS, GREEN LAURAL WREATH CENTAUR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AUSTRALIAN ARMY NURSING SERVICE PRICE 2/-“australian army nursing service, book

The photograph appeared in the MDNS Annual Report of 1922 and is taken on the veranda of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Nurses Home at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. The Sisters lived and worked out of the Nurses Home from June 1914 to 1953. They attended the disadvantaged in the inner suburbs of Melbourne. The Sisters and Matron are wearing the grey uniform and hat with a red Maltese cross is in the centre of the hatband which was introduced in 1921. These Sisters, plus two others visited 29.079 visits in the metropolitan area and in suburbs as far distant as Elwood, Glen Huntly, Deepdene, Essendon and Fairfield. Of the 1666 patients on the books 394 were midwifery patients nursed in their own homes. It is believed the Matron in the photograph is Matron Reynolds. In February 1885 it was recognized that nursing care was needed for the sick poor in inner Melbourne. The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded on the 17th of February with one Trained nurse (Nurse) who qualified under the Hospital training system, commencing on the 1st of May, and a second employed six months later, both working in the now CBD, ie from Spencer Street to Spring Street and from Victoria Parade to Flinders Street. From its inception the Society was at the forefront of health care. They provided high quality nursing care; educated their patients in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of cleanliness and good nutrition, both by verbal instruction and demonstration, even supplying soup and milk when needed. At that time they walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of inner Melbourne carrying their nursing bag containing lotion, ointments, powders, liniment, bandages, dressings, a case of spirits, and the Nurse's own clean apron. The also supplied equipment, such as earthenware hot water bottles, splints, urinals, bed pans, bed cradles, feeding mugs, and air-cushions as well as providing clean bed linen and nightdresses and clothes as necessary. 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 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. The Nurses were becoming exhausted, particularly in the heat of summer. Permission to use bicycles was given to them in 1898 and the Society decided to purchase their own in 1903. A business man offered ‘new free wheel’ bicycles at £13 each, which included maintenance for one year. Bells and wooden frames were added at a cost of £5 per frame so the Nurses could carry extra equipment. Nurses bags were strapped to the handlebars. Soup was made for those in need 2-3 times a week, and if patients could not arrange to have it collected, the soup was delivered by the Nurses on their bicycles. Their use caused a change in uniform, with white pith helmets, and veils covering them and tied under their chins, now being used. In 1904 the Society relocated to rented premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street in Fitzroy. In 1913 a Nurse had her ‘board and residence, uniforms, bicycles and laundry expenses’ provided and was paid £50 a year for her first six months. At the end of a year her salary was increased by £5, and later she earned £60 a year. Over the years the Nurses complained their veils became wet in the rain and asked for a change of uniform, but this did not occur until 1921. In 1914 the Society was at last able to purchase their own premises, 'Floraston' 39 Victoria Parade in Collingwood. During the Spanish Influenza epidemic, in 1919, MDNS appealed for assistance to procure Motor vehicles so the Nurses could visit an influx of cases. Through trusts, grants and donations four 'Ford 'T Model' cars were procured which enabled the Nurses to triple their visits. It was recorded on the 21st of May, that the seven Nurses had visited 1,212 persons with influenza in the last three months, how many visits to each is not known. In the whole of 1918 the Nurses, including midwifery cases, visited 1,100 persons. It was also recorded on May 7th the Nurses were delivering 100 quarts of soup to the needy each morning. In winter they also carried wood in the cars to distribute to their destitute patients as needed. In 1921-22 many of the people nursed by the Trained nurses (Sisters) suffered from malignant and tubercular disease, often the Sister would visit to find the patient was desperately ill living in a room alone and no one there to even give them a drink. In these cases the Sister would send them to hospital, but if possible most cases were nursed in their home. During July 1921- 30 June 1922 the four Midwifery trained Sisters averaged 8 confinement cases a week and sometimes gave Post Natal care to 15 to 18 patients a day. At the time of confinement a Student from the Women's Hospital accompanied the MDNS Sister and if complications occurred the patient was transferred to the Women's Hospital. The Society often had to provide blankets, sheets, set of baby clothes and night gowns for the mother. In many instances the Society provided milk for many months. The midwifery Sisters often travelled long distances in the cars Through constant use the cars were in such a poor state they were sold in 1927 and the Sisters went back to using public transport, as well as their bicycles which continued to be used in inner areas until 1945.. The Midwives used taxis when a birth was imminent. Black and white photograph showing 9 Sisters, 5 standing at rear and Matron, in the centre, of 4 seated Sisters on a balcony wearing their Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) uniforms of grey coats, with revered collars and belt, over their partly seen grey uniforms with white collars. Five of the Sisters are wearing glasses. All are wearing grey brimmed hats with a Maltese cross in the centre of the lighter colour hatband. Part of deep metal scroll work of the veranda rail can be seen. A concrete wall is behind the Sisters.mdns, mdns matron, miss reynolds, royal district nursing service, rdns, melbourne district nursing society, mdns uniforms

Black and white photograph of the laying of the Foundation Stone by Sir John Harris MLC for the Rutherglen Bush Nursing Hospital on 23rd April 1938. This one is an enlarged photographic duplicate of 449.3b. hospital, john richards harris, foundation stone

The Wenborn family acquired Ferguson's Lot 19 of the Village Settlement where the original Mount Dandenong School was opened in a shed. WH Collom owned the land after Ferguson and then it passes to the Wenborns. This photograph, taken c1942, shows Ivy Wenborn with her daughters Mary and Joan. John Lundy-Clarke grew up in the Kalorama/Mt Dandenong area and later in life (1972-74) began to write a comprehensive history of the area working from an original settlement map in an effort to cover all areas.Black and white photograph of a woman nursing a young girl Another young girl is seated at her right.Behind is a view of trees and a house. Handwritten inscription on reverse by John Lundy-ClarkeWenborn Family. Looking across what is now Kalorama Park showing Norman Jeeves' house behind the hedge to the left of the child.wenborn, ivy wenborn, mary wenborn, joan wenborn, norman jeeves, kalorama park, jeeves

Rectangular gold and red fridge magnet. Magnet printed with 'NURSES. you can't live without them!', the Australian Nursing Federation logo and phone number ('03-9274 9333').nursing, nurses, unionism, trade unions, merchandise, fridge magnet, magnet, australian nursing federation

This photograph shows Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister Meissen observing Mrs Lata as she transferred from her wheelchair onto a shower chair in the bathroom at her home. Sr. Meissen is based at the RDNS Moorabbin Centre. Patients were taught, and then supervised, by RDNS visiting Sisters in the use of safe transferring techniques. From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in 1885, known as the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), from 1966, their Trained nurses cared for patients in their own homes who required to be taught safe transferring techniques, e.g. from bed to wheelchair or from chair to walking frame etc. Their family members also needed to learn safe transferring techniques to enable them to care for their loved ones. RDNS employed a Physiotherapist who taught staff the correct techniques, not only for safety of the patient, but to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and patient’s family members. Sisters carried out General Care to those patients unable to care to their own hygiene safely, and, working towards independence where possible, the Sisters taught them safe transferring techniques using equipment such rails, shower seats, and hand showers.On the right of this black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister Meissen standing and observing Mrs. Lata in the bathroom of her home. Sr. Meissen has short dark hair; is wearing a white gown over her uniform and wears a grey peaked uniform hat. She has a towel draped over her left arm, and is smiling at Mrs. Lata who is on her left and is sitting on a shower chair. Mrs. Lata, who is wearing a light coloured nightgown with flower motifs, is smiling up at Sr. Meissen and has her right arm raised with her hand gripping a rope pulley. Part of a wheelchair with the left arm removed is seen in the foreground; the seat of the chair is in line with the seat of the shower chair. A hand shower, taps and glass screen can be seen in the background of the photograph.rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns uniform, patient care, moorabbin centre, sister m. meissen, mrs lata

Receipt books from c. 1930s pre-printed with the issuer's name "Warrnambool Harbour Board", the decade of the 193- , and the pre-decimal symbol for the Pound note. Warrnambool Harbour Board Receipt Book (2 books). Books have been printed with name of the issuer and the year 193-, ready to be completed with the current year's number. 1095.1 - only the butts remain in the book. 1095.2 - book still has complete pages in it but many have been written on in ink pen and the first docket is dated 1936. Cover also has pen writing on it."WARRNAMBOOL HARBOUR BOARD"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, receipt book, administrative stationery, clerical books, accounting stationery, warrnambool harbour board, ports and harbours warrnambool, ommerce

This photograph is taken in the home of the Mother and babe and shows a RDNS Sister who is visiting to give the mother and babe Post-natal care. Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had a Domiciliary Infant and Maternal Care (DIMC) service which gave Post-natal care to new born mothers and babes in their homes following their early discharge from hospital, or if required for other reasons. In August 1893 Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), commenced a Midwifery Service with Nurse Fowler, who was trained in General nursing and Midwifery nursing, being the first Midwife employed. Mothers were assessed for suitability of a home birth or if they required delivery at the Women’s Hospital. The Midwife worked in conjunction with the Doctors at the Women’s Hospital and if a complication arose before or after birth the patient was transferred to their care. Following birth, the Midwife gave Post-Natal care to both the mother and babe commencing with visits twice a day. In 1898 the service ceased due to lack of funds but recommenced in 1906, and in the August 1925 Annual Report the number of MDNS home births was recorded at 478. MDNS built the After-Care Home and a pioneering Anti-Natal Clinic was opened in 1930. The last Ante-Natal clinic was held there in December 1951 and the MDNS Midwifery service ceased in February 1952. In 1964 MDNS commenced a Post-Natal service with General and Midwifery trained MDNS Sisters working from a room on the ground floor at the Footscray Hospital Nurses quarters, and visiting early discharged Footscray Hospital maternity cases at home. Later, as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), this service was extended and renamed as Domiciliary Infant and Maternal Care, (DIMC) service operating from most Centres and visiting early discharged, often 24 hours after birth, maternity cases from hospitals to give Post-natal care to the mother and babe. Many of the RDNS Sisters who worked in DIMC also had their Infant Welfare Certificate, though Midwifery trained nurses also visited. Black and white photograph showing, to the left, a Royal District Nursing (RDNS) Domiciliary Postnatal Sister, with long hair drawn up, and wearing a white gown. She is attending to a new born baby in her wicker bassinet at the baby's home. The Sister is smiling and has her left hand by the shoulder of the wrapped babe, and her right hand is resting lower on the baby. The baby's mother, who has curly short dark hair, is dressed in a floral blouse and dark cardigan. She is standing to the right of the Sister and behind the bassinet, and is looking down at her babe and smiling. Her left hand is resting on the bassinet. The baby has dark hair and has her hand partly covering her mouth. Part of a picture is seen on the wall behind the mother.rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns domiciliary post natal service, rdns domiciary infant and maternal care, rdns dimc

Pre FederationGreen Brown cover with green scrolling around the front cover. With red writingTo Australian "Diggers" and Nurses TO Brave Men and Noble Women This Little Australian Tribute "And none shall pay a nobler, sweeter tribute to their name, Than: The Voice of Duty called them and their eager footstep came" ballads, harold hansell

The last day for Mrs Kathleen Reynolds, Director of Nursing at Kelaston Nursing home.1 x col. photographkelaston home (ballarat), kathleen reynolds

Part of the Reverend Chaplain Major Thomas Bruce Williams, No 556101, CollectionArmy issue khaki pre knotted necktie. Tie has a Windsor knot secured with a plastic clip which attaches to a shirt collar. The ends of the tie are cut and frayed.uniform, battle dress, major thomas b. williams

Mayor's challenge to citizens to support activities and organizations in which Council is involved including scouts, reserves, pre-school centres, meals on wheels, libraries and infant welfare centres.environment, city of nunawading, gawler, david, antonio park, mitcham, schwerkolt cottage, blackburn lake sanctuary, yarran dheran, blackburn branch library, warekila pre-school centre

A puggaree, usually of pleated cloth, has been worn on the Australian slouch hat since it was adopted in 1903. During WWI (1914-1918) it was frequently a plain woollen band made from puttee material. Different coloured bands denoting Corps were incorporated into the puggaree worn by militia units shortly before WWI and again in the period between the wars. The word puggaree comes from Hindi meaning turban and is thought to have referred to a piece of cloth worn on the British officer’s sun helmet to protect his neck from the sun.Good example of distinctive headwear worn by light horse soldiers.Seven fold puggaree with white band denoting Light Horse of the pre WWI (1914-1918) period and possible for a time following the war until superseded by the red band.puggaree, headwear, light horse, uniform

Australia converted to decimal currency on 14 February 1966. This coin purse is printed with a simple conversion table to help the user navigate the switch from pounds, shillings and pence to the new dollars and cents.Cream vinyl coin purse with conversion table for pre-decimal and decimal currency printed in black on each side. Hinged silver metal opening and kiss clasp. Unlined.coin purse, decimal currency, 1960s

Worn C 1960's with wing collared shirt.- Black bow tie, pre-tied - adjustable with hook fastening See NA5570 (white formal shirt) NA5571 (Trousers and Jacket) NA5576 (Cummerbund) and NA5576 (cuff links)Nilneckwear, formal wear

The photograph of the Commission Van is taken at the RDNS Service Centre at Chessell Street, South Melbourne. The three men are employed by the Royal District Nursing Service.In 1971 the Commission shop donated a Van to the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), to be used by the Maintenance crew for delivery of equipment and transporting goods and documents between RDNS Centres and Headquarters. It was also used for transporting Maintenance staff and the equipment they required to do maintenance work at RDNS Centres as needed. The Commission Van was kept at the RDNS Service Centre at Chessell Street, South Melbourne.Black and white photograph showing the side view of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Commission Van. The white snub nose Van, which has a closed passenger door and another further along, is standing with its front close to a brick building and sits on brick paving which extends onto earth. Three short windows can be seen along the top quarter of the Van. Both back doors are open. Mr. J. Grigg, with receding dark hair, is standing to the left of the photograph near the rear door, and has his hands on the hand grips of a wheelchair. Mr. J. Greet, is standing in the back of the van with his hands on the metal handles of a square metal commode as he hands it to Mr. Pincher, who has wavy short hair and is standing on the ground to his right. He has his hands on the main body of the commode. The three men are wearing their grey work coats over their clothes. In the background part of a two story dark brick building can be seen. On the ground floor, on the left, part of a dark door can be seen with a small window immediately above it, and further.above this is some light fan shaped brick work, three vertical bricks in height. To its right part of a window with the same brickwork can be seen and to the right along the building is part of a window with arched light brickwork followed by more brickwork and part of a door. Black pipework runs down some of the brickwork. Above the brickwork runs a row of light colour material, and above this part of the upper section in grey concrete can be seen.Photographers stamp. Quote No. KH 80mr j grigg, mr. j. greet, mr pincher, rdns equipment, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns maintenance

The Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister is leaving Headquarters, 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, to administer nursing care to patients in their own homes. The Sisters nursed patients referred by Hospitals and General Practitioners giving treatments, such as injections, wound care and doing other procedures, as well as assisting them with general care when required. The Sister is driving an Australian built Holden car of the 1960s which, along with the other parked Holden cars are part of the RDNS fleet of vehicles. From its inception in 1885 the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the then named Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later named Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) gave high quality nursing care to patients in their own homes. They nursed patients referred by Hospitals and General Practitioners giving treatments, such as injections, wound care and doing other procedures, as well as assisting them with general care when required. From the early days the Nurses taught the importance of good hygiene, cleanliness, good nutrition in the prevention and curing of disease and in maintaining good health, as well as giving advice and support to the patient and their carers. The Sisters liaised with the patient’s Doctor. District has had various modes of transport over the last 130 years. At first the Nurses walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of central Melbourne. As the Society expanded bicycles, public transport, District cars, the use of a Motor Auxiliary, nurses own cars, and even a motorcycle were used, and all these forms were intermingled until RDNS had its own fleet of vehicles. By 2009 there were 598 cars in the fleet and the nurses travelled 9 million 200,000 kilometres – this is equivalent to 12 trips to the moon and back. The Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) building at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne was originally called 'Airlie', the childhood home of Stanley Melbourne Bruce, the Prime Minister of Australia 1923-1929. RDNS, then named Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS) moved into this building as their Nurses Home and Headquarters in 1953. MDNS was given Royal patronage in 1966 and continued to occupy the building until 1996. 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. In the foreground of this black and white photograph are three cars on St. Kilda Road passing Arthur Street on their left. In the centre is a Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS), Sister sitting at the driving wheel of her RDNS grey Holden car in Arthur Street, at the corner of St. Kilda Road. Behind the car are two round poles inset in the nature strip near the kerb; the pole on the right holds the street signs 'Arthur St' which points to the left of the photograph, and 'St Kilda Rd' points towards the number '452' attached to a square concrete column and metal spiked fence running down the right of the photograph behind the nature strip. In the background of the photograph is the corner view showing two sides, part in Arthur Street and part in St. Kilda Road, of RDNS Headquarters which is a large white two storey Italian style building, which has arched Arcadia on the ground floor, and an arched Arcade on the second floor; a flat roof with two chimneys is seen. A garden with trees can be seen running in front of both sides of the building and behind the cast iron spiked fence. In Arthur Street, to the left of the large building is a two storey white building with a tiled roof. It has a white solid fence in front of it Parked at the kerb in front of this building, and the section of RDNS large white building in Arthur Street, are three other RDNS grey Holden cars. Parts of a large trees are seen on the left and right of the photograph.Photographers stamp. Quote GE 46rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns transport, rdns headquarters

Herbert Joseph Chambers was born in 1912 in Clifton Hill, Victoria. Later he was to live in Clark and Charles Streets in Northcote, in South Caulfield, and finally in Mentone. While he may have worked at the Kew Asylum before 1945, that year was when he was presented with a Certificate issued by the Department of Mental Hygiene (Victoria) declaring that he had completed training and passed the examinations required to work as a 'Mental Attendant’. The document is dated 19th December 1945 and signed by the Director of the Department and by the Co-Examiners. From at least 1945, he was to work as a member of the male staff of the Asylum, mainly in the Refractory Ward. A donor gifted to the Kew Historical Society in February 2019 a number of items collected by Herbert Chambers in his work at the Asylum. These include his Certificate of Registration, a photograph taken of him with two colleagues at Circular Quay in Sydney, a notebook containing ‘SP’ betting records of male asylum staff, and five sketchbooks with artwork created by Kenn’th [sic] Bailey, a patient of the Asylum. Herbert Chambers’ period of employment at the Kew Asylum coincided with the employment of the English psychiatrist Dr Eric Cunningham Dax (1908-2008) as Chairman of the Mental Hygiene Authority in 1952. Dr Dax introduced an art therapy program into Victorian psychiatric hospitals, including Kew, where it is likely that the five sketchbooks were created. The sketchbooks are believed to have been presented to Chambers by Bailey as a “gift for looking after him”. Herbert Chambers retired from the Kew Asylum in c.1970 after working there for almost thirty years.Small notebook, of which the cover is lost, including the names of male and female staff members at the Kew Mental Hospital, the amounts that they gambled and their winnings. It is presumed that the record was kept by Herbert Joseph Chambers, a member of staff between c.1945-70. The names in the book, including some of their aliases are arranged alphabetically. The prices are listed in pre-decimal currency, (i.e. before 1966). From the number of names listed in the book, it must have been a very extensive SP betting ring. herbert joseph chambers, kew mental hospital, gambling - kew (vic)

This cap would have been worn by a student nurse in her third year of training as in the first year her cap had no arrows. Prior to the transfer of nursing education to the university sector, nurses were trained in a course of instruction in hospital nursing schools that awarded a certificate in general nursing. These courses were generally for a three-year period, and nurses were paid employees of the parent hospital. In Melbourne after WW11 because individual hospitals couldn't get enough nursing students a school of nursing was established - The Royal Melbourne and Associated Hospitals School of Nursing.A white cotton cap which draws up at the back with string to form a frill. It was pinned on the hair. The cap has two red arrows on the rim.H.D. MURRELL 5485health nursing uniform

The equipment items in this photograph are loaned out to Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) patient's to use in their homes. They are returned to RDNS and sterilized, or cleaned with disinfectant, whichever is appropriate, once they are no longer required. The material items are given to patient's as required. Many of these items are made and donated by RDNS Auxiliary members. From its inception in 1885, the two Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) 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. The Society was at the forefront of health care and continued to liaise with Doctors as the Society expanded. The Nurses 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; Over the years items were given and equipment was loaned and demonstrated to patients, and if appropriate, to their family members to enable them to care for their loved ones in their homes. The Trained nurses had the rehabilitation of their patients in the forefront of their minds to ensure they were able to live as independently as possible in their own homes. As the years passed the Trained nurses changed from being called 'Nurse' to 'Sister' and the Society changed its name. In the 1970s, now with Royal patronage, and known as Royal District Nursing Service ( RDNS), they contracted a Private and then employed, a Physiotherapist who taught RDNS Sisters the correct transferring techniques, including the use of a hoist when this became available. RDNS Sisters taught and used these techniques in patient’s homes to undertake safe transfer of the patient and to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and family members. Each RDNS Centre had a room or shed where equipment for loan was kept, and Headquarters also kept additional equipment which could be transported to Centres as required. This black and white photograph shows some of the equipment loaned, along with some to be given, to Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) patients as required. Rear L-R - a white long nightdress with dark embroidery and buttons on the front and embroidery on the edge of the short sleeves. Next are two wooden bath seats; a square metal commode with lid and with its round legs extended to form handles on the left and right sides. A folded dark and white striped crocheted rug hangs over one of the handles. In the centre L-R, is a metal bed cradle, a metal 4 prong walking stick, bed pans, male urinal, stack of nappies with a white child's knitted jumper hanging over them, and a doona. In the front, L-R is a grey blanket, dark coloured bed socks, a sheepskin with a white smocked baby dress sitting on it, and a white babies nightgown on a clear plastic covered white bundle. A black mat sits under these items and a cream brick wall is in the background. Barry Sutton LS 47royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns equipment, rdns auxiliaries

This photograph is a good view of the car park at RDNS Headquarters, 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, with the new Torana two door vehicles. The RDNS insignia seen on some of the cars is a thin royal blue circle with the words "Royal District Nursing Service" written in white capital letters. The centre section is in three with the top and bottom section white and the centre section royal blue with the large capital white letters "RDNS" written across it.Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) has had various modes of transport over the last 130 plus years. At first, from 1885 as Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), their Trained nurses (Nurses) walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of central Melbourne. As the Society expanded public transport was used, and bicycles were bought by the Society in 1903 and used in inner areas until 1945. During the Spanish flu epidemic, in 1919, MDNS appealed for assistance to procure Motor vehicles so the Nurses could visit an influx of cases. Through trusts, grants and donations four 'Ford T Model' cars were procured which enabled the Nurses to triple their visits. Through constant use the cars were in such a poor state two were sold in 1922 and the others later. In 1922-23 three Peugeot cars were purchased and a woman Chauffeur, 'Miss Sword', was employed who lived in the Home and was also in charge of the garage. MDNS was expanding and a Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take the Trained nurses (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 cars 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. Black and white photograph taken above, and giving a "birds eye view", of the car park and latest fleet of grey Holden Torana two door vehicles owned by Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). The fourteen cars are parked in two rows with the front of the cars facing to the left of the photograph. The round RDNS insignia is seen in the upper centre of some car doors. A tall brick wall is seen along the rear and right hand side of the car park. Two fire extinguishers are seen attached to the lower area of the rear brick wall in the open space between the two rows of cars. In the background and to the left, a road, some cars and parts of two brick buildings are seen as well as several small bare trees.Barry Sutton's Photographers Stamp. Quote KX 86royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns transport, rdns headquarters, rdns carpark,