The MUIOOF Lodge was located in Union Street, Kew. The Lodge was established in 1863. It was demolished in the early 1990s.The Lodge Board lists the names of representatives of many of Kew's pioneering families. The Board was donated to the Society when the Hall was demolished. MUIOOF Lodge Board - Yarra Yarra District, Loyal Kew Lodge No. 5093 Port Phillip District till 1888 / Yarra Yarra District from 1888 Past Grands [listed] W.Woolard 1864 to A.E. Martin 1990 Maker marks - [Painted on back panel] "Lodge Board - Written by Bro. J. Kleiner, Signwriter 432 Burwood Rd. Glenferrie March 1930".[Engraved on pediment] "G.E. Gosbell, Woodcarver 1955". muioof (kew), yarra yarra district, port phillip district, j. kleiner, manchester unity independent order of oddfellows, w. woollard, d. gray, g. taylor, d. dannock, e.g. backwell, s. conder, j.h. joyce, r. summers, r. clulow, w. morris, f. fanhauser, j. waters, w. butson, a. dalton, t.g. jellis, j. watson, w. howieson, a.h. alexander, w.h. perry, a.r. studd, t. greenhill, w.a. hunt, w. maslen, t. eakins, h. ellis, a. geoffrey, j. priestman, t.e. morrisjamieson, c.h. bryan, g. hinchcliffe, t. foley, a.j. conder, s. clapham, a. cornish, f.j. fauvel, e.m. bond, h. co, j.g m. moller, e. hillier, w. finucane, w.e. bristow, v. geoffrey, a. hill, j.t. studd, h. de c. kellett, a.j whittaker, e. foley, e.f. fordred, p.j. ridgeway, j. barnard, h.a. ingham, h. woollard, j.w. fuller, e. mclean, p.g. pearce, f. walsh, h. fryar, h. salisbury, h. woolard, h.c. cox, a.j. watson, w. holt, f.t. james, e.c. parry, g. lees, h.o. ada,s, g.c. barclay, g.h. mockridge, g. philpott, j. corser, a. lilburn, w.p. wheeler, t.e. morri, r.r. clarke, h.d. sisson, w.r. harle, w.g. gray, j.d. newman, c.w. laidler, e.a. rae, a.a. homes, a. mcconachie, h.f. woollard, p.g. gallop, h.c. nelson, l.n. graebe, e.w. firth, n. rae, r.j. kelly, j. donaldson, f.t. jmes, c. till, t.j. doyle, s.m.f wills, w.l. smith, h. mcallan, h.a. morgan, a. kinns, w.r. adams, c.h. jones, g.h. carter, m. prout, a.w. bishop, k.c. hemmings, e.k. sparls, l.m. harle, j.m. prout, l.e. watts, d.b. adams, f.u. woolard, a. macrae, n.l. gration, d.h. vickers, m.h.m. alister, t.a. till, r.w. bent, j.w. woolard, a.e. woolard, r.h. harle, jean harle, l.o. adams, d.h. lloyd, k.w. harle, d.g. mclean, p.s. pearse, v.l. profitt, f.c. marks, m.h. mcalister, j. newman, e.m. savory, a.f gration, c.g. teasdale, e.k. sparkes, a.j. scott, w.h. savory, t.r. holland, g.t. smith, d. adams, s. rowe, t. bentley, l.e. fegan, m.j. fiander, g.n. bentley, j.l. oakley, h. brierley, b. oakley, m. j. fiander, w. humphries, a. weingardt, c. nunn, d.a. adams, s.p. clark, s. evans, g.n.bentley, s. clugston, d.c. mitchell, a.e. martin, g.n bentley, l.b. murrell, t.b. will, d. murrell

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. Sportsgirl is an Australian fashion house. Founded in 1948, the first Sportsgirl store was located in Swanston Street, Melbourne. During the 1950s the brand continued to expand its stores in Melbourne. It expanded to Sydney in the 1960s. The dress was donated by Dione McIntyre.The McIntyre Collection of clothing and clothing accessories forms one of the largest single donations to our Fashion & Design collection. It includes clothing and clothing accessories worn by four women in the Cohen and McIntyre families across three generations. The items worn by Melbourne architect, and Kew resident, Dione McIntyre date from the 1960s and 1970s, and include evening wear, day wear, hats and shoes. As Dione McIntyre often accompanied her husband, fellow architect Peter McIntyre, to formal events, there are a number of pieces of evening wear among the items. The McIntyre Collection also includes items worn by women of an earlier generation: by Lilian Cohen, Dione McIntyre's mother, and by her mother-in-law, the wife of the architect Robert McIntyre. At the other end of the chronological spectrum are a number of outfits belonging to, worn and donated by Annie McIntyre. These include outfits created by notable late 20th century Australian and/or international fashion designers. The McIntyre Collection is significant historically and artistically as it includes examples of design that demonstrate changing tastes in fashion over an 80-year period. The collection is also significant in that it includes the work of a large number of Melbourne designers from the 1960s to the 1990s. Sleeveless white cotton mini dress with a high round collarLabel: Sportsgirlwomen's clothing, fashion and textiles collection, australian fashion - 1960s, day dresses, mcintyre collection

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This dress is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Dione McIntyre.The McIntyre Collection of clothing and clothing accessories forms one of the largest single donations to our Fashion & Design collection. It includes clothing and clothing accessories worn by four women in the Cohen and McIntyre families across three generations. The items worn by Melbourne architect, and Kew resident, Dione McIntyre date from the 1960s and 1970s, and include evening wear, day wear, hats and shoes. As Dione McIntyre often accompanied her husband, fellow architect Peter McIntyre, to formal events, there are a number of pieces of evening wear among the items. The McIntyre Collection also includes items worn by women of an earlier generation: by Lilian Cohen, Dione McIntyre's mother, and by her mother-in-law, the wife of the architect Robert McIntyre. At the other end of the chronological spectrum are a number of outfits belonging to, worn and donated by Annie McIntyre. These include outfits created by notable late 20th century Australian and/or international fashion designers. The McIntyre Collection is significant historically and artistically as it includes examples of design that demonstrate changing tastes in fashion over an 80-year period. The collection is also significant in that it includes the work of a large number of Melbourne designers from the 1960s to the 1990s. Long dark green sun dress with a pink tulip pattern.Label: Allen Gayeallen gaye, women's clothing, australian fashion - 1970s, mcintyre collection, day wear

heidelberg theatre company inc., 2012, 390

1992, 269, geoff hickey

1968, general memorabilia, city of heidelberg repertory group, heidelberg theatre company inc, international amateur theatre world exhibition yokohama theatre institute japan, summer of seventeenth doll recording sent to arts society of kitwe congo

61, city of heidelberg repertory group, heidelberg theatre company inc, directed by judith lynch, 1961

Enba was a newsletter produced by the Melbourne Executive of the YCW (Girls) distributed to members in the Melbourne Diocese in 1963 - 1965.Throughout its history, the YCW movement produced numerous publications for members and for the wider community. Some of these were regular papers or newsletters with high production values. Others were short lived efforts, produced 'in house' on low budgets. Reading across the collections, these public expressions of YCW communication provide insight into the movement's methods, the concerns of young women and men of the period, and how these shifted over time and across location. Enba contains references to campaigns on work; reports from branches in the city of Melbourne including sport and social events; profiles of Diocesan Executive Members and Presidents; letters from Chaplains including a report from Fr Brian Burke; dates regarding Pre-Cana Seminars and Summer Schools. Five editions of newsletter

The building was the former Sunbury Fire Station. It was in Evans Street on the site where the shopping square has been built. Mount Holden can be seen in the background. A newer building was built for the CFA on the opposite side of Evans Street and closer to Macedon Street. As the shopping centre expanded and Sunbury grew, the CFA moved from the town centre to a site in Jackson Street and another one in Elizabeth Drive.Over the years the CFA has played an important role in numerous fire fighting activities over summer months.A scanned coloured photograph with a fine white border of an old weatherboard building with a metal roof by an unmade roadway. A hill is in the background and two bare trees are growing near the building.sunbury cfa.

This is a photograph of the first committee of the Sunbury Swimming Club which was formed in 1916. The club used the pool at The Nook near Eadie Street. The area had shade trees, a drink fountain, seats, change rooms and diving boards. In 1966 an Olympic size swimming pool was opened in LIgar Street, as a result of a whole community effort. The site at The Nook became a popular passive recreation area.The pool at The Nook was a popular meeting place for Sunbury residents in the hot summer months for fifty years A non-digital sepia photograph backed onto a beige board of seven people standing on a diving board that is over a natural water hole. Four men are dressed in swim wear and two ladies are in full length dresses. A man standing on the end of the board is wearing a suit. sunbury swimming club, the nook, swimming, sporting clubs

The swimmers were seated on the diving board over Jacksons Creek at The Nook, which served as a swimming pool in Sunbury until 1966 when the long-awaited for swimming pool was officially opened in Ligar Street on19th January 1966. For a number of years before the official opening townspeople organised many fund raising events to pay for the new pool. The pool at The Nook served as a popular swimming place for many years in Sunbury during the summer weather.A sepia photograph with a white border of a group of eight swimmers sitting on a diving board over a river. swimming, the nook, swimming clubs

Donated from the estate of the artist, 2016Acrylic, Canvasgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Donated from the estate of the artist, 2016Oil on canvas on boardgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Donated from the estate of Patricia Marie White, 2013Acrylic Paint, Oil Paint, Canvasgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Purchased in memory of Sue Slonek, Secretary of Surrey Hills Historical Society, volunteer with the Surrey Hills Neighborhood Centre Heritage Collection (Surrey Hills historical Society Collection). A history of Canterbury Primary School written to celebrate the school's 100 year anniversary - 1908-2008A history of Canterbury Primary School written to celebrate the school's 100 year anniversary - 1908-2008canterbury primary school, primary schools, (ms) judy stewart, (mr) ian phillips, (miss) gabriela aloisio, (mrs) marjorie pitt, (miss) joan eltham, (mr) - shannon, (mr) - besant, (mrs) anne bialecki, (ms) diane western, (ms) margaret mason, (miss) hilary barr, (mrs) hilary praetz, (ms) vicki eddison, (miss) margaret kidd, (mr) don kerr, (miss) sarah pitman, (miss) linda summers, (mr) jack tanner, (miss) kate dale, (mr) strapper tanner, (ms) neva rossi, (miss) margot harris, (miss) lauren eddison, (mr) eric alway, (miss) jean alway, (miss) betty alway, (mr) thomas rule, (miss) diane fuller, (ms) barbara chapman, (ms) judy bridges, (ms) julie vango, (ms) judy pitman, (ms) joan le grand, (ms) anne lamborn, (mr) warren walsh, (ms) margaret lee, (ms) barbara gunn, (ms) christine hallman, (mr) murray haby, chris roth, (ms) sue de araugo, (ms) leslie brewer, (ms) judy jordan, sam paterson, (ms) debbie-jane andrews, (mrs) hazel young, (ms) ilse murrihy, (ms) linda summers, (mrs) georgia karatzas, (mrs) sylvia clarke, (mr) eddie clarke, (mrs) - willoughby, (mr) - hopkins, (mrs) - hopkins, (mr) graham salter, (ms) andrea thompson, (miss) - stent, (miss) - mcdonald, (mr) neville daynes, (mr) bruce margetts, (miss) doris thomas, (miss) hazel macdonald, (miss) annette mccoy, (mrs) - feldt, (miss) arwen summers, (miss) grace cameron-muller, manon merakis, terry poulton, (mr) david tolstrup, (ms) sue broadbent, (miss) florence rayment, (miss) yvonne wray, (miss) hazel jarvis, (mr) graham scott, (miss) june smith, (mrs) margaret anderson, (miss) margaret ginn, (miss) kelly jane, (mrs) patricia wion, (miss) patricia lewis, (miss) - edgoose, (mr) john merton, (ms) pauline flynn, (ms) lynne timms, (ms) marilyn taylor, (mrs) anne tonkin, (mrs) flo wilkinson, (miss) flo davies, (mr) jack hardy, (mr) john a bayford, (miss) marion greenwood-smith, (miss) - mcevitt, (miss) - ballantyne, (miss) - riseborough, (ms) (dr) kim dray, (miss) dorothy ambrose, (mrs) - lethbridge, (mrs) - le couteur, (mrs) margaret senior, (miss) margaret macgibbon, (mrs) - briggs, (mr) (major) - moloney, (mr) - poulton, (mr) adrian penniston-bird, prospect hill road, surrey hills, canterbury, canterbury road, molesworth street, highfield road, leeds street, salisbury street, (mr) patrick moloney, (mr) thomas rule, (mr) richard armitage, (mr) frank l oswell, (mr) walter g w webb, (mr) edward bright, (mr) george a allison, (mr) albert r coppin, (mr) william a lucas, (mr) alan g legg, (mr) ralph holden, (mr) dorothy ambrose, (mr) robert storey, (mr) tom neal-williams, (mr) effie miniati, (mr) geoffrey swift, (mr) - baddeley, (mrs) helen mcmillan, (miss) helen mcgibbon, (mr) don walker, (mr) howard hallo, (miss) jean cowen, (miss) felicity coleman, (miss) amanda colahan, (miss) caitlin sum, (miss) brooke webster, (miss) bridget hall, (miss) alison thompson, (mr) andrew lovitt, (mrs) barbara mihan, (miss) barbara prest, (mr) john webster, (mrs) lorna whalley, (mr) stuart margetts, (miss) elaine robinson, (mrs) nonie holman, (miss) nonie lovitt, (mr) brian webster, (mrs) alison cutter, (miss) alison horwell, (mrs) jaqueline lublin, (miss) jacqueline levy, (mrs) gilliam bell, (miss) gillian craig, pinus radiata, the secret garden, lych gate, (mr) geoff swan, talbet oaks, bedford oaks, significant trees, burgundy ash, allepo pine, golden ash, southey oaks, poulton oaks, (mr) (sgt) keith mcdowell, wattle park, (ms) caroline habgood, (mr) henry rotherham, j b cohen, (mr) (major) patrick moloney, (miss) dorothy ambrose, architects, wurundjeri william territory, (mr) - sachse, d kinnaird, builders, danks foundation, (dr) desmond gibbs, 1908, sue slonek, catherine cato, catherine charles, june smith, jenny flynn

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed ceramic tile with brown, black, yellow and blue colouring.art, artwork, ceramics, landscape, rosemary smith

Donated by Noelle Kendall (née Vaughan) for the 1991 Centenary. She graduated in 1919.45 photographs. Cardboard pages tied with ribbon to make an album. Most photographs labelled. Some loose photographs. Burnley scenes, mainly students working outside, garden views, visit to Rippon Lea. Some photographs appear in other collections. Also 2 pages of proofs. Many of these photographs were included in A. P. Winzenried, "Green Grows Our Garden."noelle kendall (née vaughan), centenary, 1919, 1991, students working outside, pavilion, luffmann ponds, orchard, horses, bees, potting shed, vegetables, poultry, summer house, orchard border, oak lawn, pruning demonstration, garden scene, luffman ponds, ripponlea excursion, ponds, planting out annuals, garden views, lily pond, steps, beehives, draught horses, vegetable rows, plum block, cherry block, planting plums, bird proof cage, pruning, pruning pear tree, winter, plant frames, maize, vegetable garden, single testing pens, public day, p j carmody, rock garden, principal's residence, pruning apple tree, noelle kendall, noelle vaughan, shelter shed

Ill, p.344.fictionThe afternoon sun was lowering towards a heavy bank of clouds hanging still and sullen over the Medite-rranean. A mistral was blowing. The last yellow rays shone fiercely upon the towering coast of Corsica, and the windows of the village of Olmeta glittered like gold. There are two Olmetas in Corsica, both in the north, both on the west coast, both perched high like an eagle's nest, both looking down upon those lashed waters of the Mediterranean, which are not the waters that poets sing of, for they are as often white as they are blue; they are seldom glassy except in the height of summer and sailors tell that they are as treacherous as any waters of the earth. Neither aneroid nor weather-wisdom may, as a matter of fact, tell when a mistral will arise, how it will blow, how veer, how drop and rise, and drop again. For it will blow one day beneath a cloudless sky, lashing the whole sea white like milk, and blow harder to-morrow under racing clouds. england - fiction, fiction - corsica

Index, ill, maps, p.299.non-fiction'This is the story of how, on 29 May, 1953, two men, both endowed with outstanding stamina and skill, reached the top of Everest and came back unscathed to rejoin their comrades. 'Yet this will not be the whole story, for the ascent of Everest was not the work of one day, nor even of those few anxious, unforgettable weeks in which we prepared and climbed this summer. It is, in fact, a tale of sustained and tenacious endeavour by many, over a long period of time...We of the 1953 Everest Expedition are proud to share the glory with our predecessors.' Sir John Hunt. mount everest expedition, mountaineering - himalayas

This is the first photograph taken of Trained nurses, who worked with the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) and has been kept in their Archives (now RDNS) since that time. The photograph, taken about 1892, records the uniforms worn by MDNS Nurses in that era, and records images of Nurse Kennedy, who commenced with the Society at the end of 1891, and worked in the Western District of the CBD until the end of 1893; and Lucy Smith who worked in the Eastern District of the CBD between April 1892 - June 1893 when she left to get married. Nurse Smith trained at the Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas's Hospital in London, the first professional nursing school in the world and as such she was given the position of the first 'Head Nurse' at MDNS. Though Florence Nightingale never worked at St. Thomas’s she did form the curriculum for the nurses training and received regular reports regarding the probationers, as well as receiving the nurses in her home during the latter part of their training. According to Lucy's family she met Florence Nightingale. The photograph shows two of the three Trained nurses employed by MDNS at that time. All Nurses employed by MDNS from its inception in 1885 were trained and received their qualification in a Hospital, but in those times were called 'Nurse'. In Melbourne in 1885 it was recognized that skilled nursing was needed in the inner city to care for the sick poor in their own homes. On the 17th of February a meeting was held with prominent Melbourne citizens, five gentlemen and fourteen ladies. ‘Dr. Caffyn and Rev. Charles Strong explained the objects and scope of District nursing Societies that had been formed in other towns’ in UK. On that day the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded, the first District Nursing Society in Australia. Subsequent meetings were held to form a Committee and to draw up a Code of Rules of the Society. It was decided only nurses who had attended a Nurses Training School and were fully qualified would be employed by the Society, and that the Nurses would keep a daily journal of their work. After interviewing several candidates, the first Trained Nurse, Mrs. Ferguson, was employed with a salary of £100 per annum and commenced work on the 1st of May 1885. She was employed for three months initially, but this was soon extended, “on the understanding she will make arrangements to live in the more immediate vicinity of her district”. A doctor was consulted before any person was seen. In rotation, a member of the Superintendence Sub-Committee supervised the Nurse’s visits and could assist to alleviate some of the poor social conditions they found. Though only Trained nurses were employed, the term ’Nurse’ was used in those days. Lady Janet Clarke, a philanthropist, was one of the first two Vice-presidents and President from 1888 until 1908 (except when overseas); she was a driving force in the Society. She held the first fund raiser for the Society at her home ‘Cliveden’ and went on to help organize many functions where she, along with Committee members, manned the stalls to raise funds. She also took her turn to accompany the Nurse, and was noted for her kindness and benevolence. Over the years the Committee, which was made up of 80% ladies, worked tirelessly for the Society; many Auxiliaries were formed. A second Trained nurse, Mrs. Joanna Cannon, was employed in late 1885, with a trial period of six months which was extended. She and Mrs Ferguson were the stalwarts of the Society in the early years, Nurse Cannon remaining with the Society for four years and Nurse Ferguson for five years, though both had a short break due to the heaviness of the work. Nurse’s salaries were reduced to account for the cost of uniforms, and again in later years when establishments were rented by the Society and the nurses could now live in the Nurses Home. The two Nurses worked in the now CBD, ie from Spencer Street to Spring Street and from Victoria Parade to Flinders Street. At that time they walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of inner Melbourne carrying their nursing bags containing lotion, ointments, powders, liniment, bandages, dressings, a case of spirits, and the Nurse's own clean apron, soap and small towel. They supplied equipment on loan, such as earthenware hot water bottles, splints, urinals, bed pans, bed cradles, feeding mugs, and air-cushions as well as providing blankets and clean bed linen, and nightdresses as necessary. From its inception the Society was at the forefront of health care and liaised with doctors. They provided high quality nursing care to a range of people, often in destitute situations, some lying on rags on the floor as they had no bed, others with just a bed and maybe a thin blanket, a chair and nothing else. Their ages ranged from babes, children, adults to the elderly. The Nurses gave medications as ordered, dressed wounds e.g. to the injured, and surgical cases, and to those with leg ulcers; attended to patients with ‘surgical ailments’ such as ‘hip disease’; gave care to those with acute illnesses such as bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, measles, and scarlet fever, as well as those with chronic illnesses such as consumption (tuberculosis), heart disease, arthritis, cancer, debility, neuritis and paralysis. They educated their patients, and their Carers, in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of hygiene, cleanliness, ventilation and good nutrition. They taught them, by verbal instruction and demonstration, how to make poultices, to make and apply bandages, apply medical appliances such as splints; and the Nurses supplied milk, beef tea and cooked soup when needed. As the work increased a third Trained nurse was employed but this was arduous work, particularly in the heat of summer and many Nurses only remained with the Society for several months. In 1891 the first Nurses Home was rented for 1 year at £65 per annum at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton; Nurses wages were now £60 per annum. A Doctor gave lectures from the Home to the public on the understanding and prevention of diseases. The Society decided to commence a Midwifery Service and Nurse Fowler, who had previously worked for the Society, was re-employed as their first trained Midwife. She began home births in August 1893 giving them Ante Natal care, taking midwifery bundles and providing clothes for the babe and mother as needed. Following birth, she gave Post-natal care to the mother and babe twice a day for three days and then daily for a week, and longer if required. She resigned after twelve months and Nurse Wilkie was appointed to the position. As well as walking, the nurses used Public transport in the limited areas it ran, though a taxi was used by the Nurses and Midwife in emergencies and at night. Late in 1891 the Society moved to larger rented premises at 49 Drummond Street and in 1902 moved to 188 Leicester Street, Carlton Sepia Photograph of two Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), Trained nurses; on the left is Nurse Kennedy (sitting) and to the right Nurse Lucy Smith (standing). They are wearing the MDNS uniform of a long grey frock. Over this they are wearing a grey long sleeve jacket with self buttons down the centre. The jacket forms a V at the waist. Nurse Kennedy has a round visage with her central parted dark hair drawn back. She is wearing ear rings and holds the top of a closed umbrella in her left hand, the feral rests on the ground. She has a straw hat in her right hand. Nurse Smith has a long visage; is wearing ear rings and her central parted dark hair is drawn back. Her right arm is extended holding the back of the chair on which Nurse Kennedy sits. melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns uniforms, mdns first 'head nurse', rdns, royal district nursing service, trained nurse kennedy, trained nurse lucy smith

This photograph depicts the Sister-in-charge with a group of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS,) Trained nurses, 'Nurses", with their bicycles, which were the first mode of transport purchased by MDNS in 1903. The bicycles enabled their Nurses to visit more patients over a wider area. They are identified as: L-R back row: Trained Nurses Taylor, Steele, Francis, Young. L-R front row: Isobel Curnow, Annie Roberts, Isabel Hawkes (Sister in Charge), Becker. Their uniforms were a grey cotton dress with white collar, cuffs and belt and their was a red Maltese cross on their pith helmets. They gave nursing care to the poor in the inner Melbourne and close surrounding areas (districts). On the 17th of February 1885, just 50 years after Melbourne was founded, a preliminary meeting of ladies and gentlemen who were anxious to form a society to provide "skilled nursing" for the sick poor in their own homes was held in Mrs William McCulloch’s home at Spring Street, Melbourne. At this meeting it was decided “that the association would be called the Melbourne District Nursing Society”, the first Society of its kind in Australia, and “that the special object of the Society shall be to secure skilled nursing for the sick poor in their own homes”. On the 16th of March a Committee was formed to “arrange for engaging one "duly qualified nurse”. On the 1st of May 1885 a Nurse, Mrs. Ferguson, was employed at £100 per annum, and a second Nurse, Mrs. Joanne Cannon, commenced six months later. In that era the term ‘Nurse’ was used even though they were ‘qualified’ i.e. ‘trained’ nurses. They worked 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 Trained nursing care; educated their patients in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of cleanliness, fresh air and good nutrition, both by verbal instruction and demonstration, even supplying soup and milk when needed, as well as providing wood and coal in the winter. 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, 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. Trained midwives began home births in late 1893 taking midwifery bundles and providing clothes for the babe and mother as needed. As the work increased a third Trained nurse was employed but this was arduous work, particularly in the heat of summer and many Nurses only remained with the Society for several months. Permission to use bicycles was given to the Nurses 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. The use of bicycles caused a change in uniform, with white pith helmets, and veils covering them and tied under their chin, now being used. 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 by a Doctor, 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. In 1913 a Nurse had her Board and residence, uniforms, bicycles and laundry expensive provided and was paid £50 a year for her first six months. At the end of a year her salary is increased by £5, and later she earns £60 a year. Over the years the nurses complained that their veils became wet in the rain and asked for a change of uniform but this did not occur until 1921. Bicycles continued to be used in inner areas until 1945. Sepia photograph of eight Melbourne District Nursing Society Trained nurses posing with their bicycles in a park; some are partly hidden. Nurse's uniforms consist of long grey dresses with white belts, cuffs and collars and white pith helmets with a Maltese cross in the centre. Oblong leather nursing bags of varying sizes are strapped to five of the bicycles. In the centre is Sister-in-charge – Mrs Hawkes (in white); to her left are 4 Nurses and to her right 3. L-R – Front row – Trained Nurses Curnow, Roberts, (Hawkes) and Becker. Back row – Nurses Taylor, Steele, Francis and Young. Trees and a palm are in the background. The bicycles have two large wire spoked wheels at either end of the black V shape bicycle frame; a rubber tyre runs around the outside of each wheel. The metal handlebars are a horizontal configuration and are attached with a central column into a black vertical column at the front of the V shape bicycle frame which has ‘fork shaped’ thin metal pierces running down either side of the wheel attaching the frame to the central hub of the wheel. The rear wheel is attached the same way to a central column at the rear of the frame which runs up to V shape solid seat. At the bottom of the V of the frame a pedal is attached with a rotating arm on either side of the bicycle and on the right side the rotating arm is attached to a sprocket which has a chain running around it back to a smaller sprocket on the hub of the back wheel. The chain has a thin metal guard over it. There are narrow thin metal mud guards running a short distance above the top of each wheel. melbourne district nursing society (1885-1957), bicycles, nurses, uniforms, mdns, mdns transport, rdns, royal district nursing service, trained nurse annie roberts, sister-in-charge isabel hawkes, trained nurse taylor, trained nurse steele, trained nurse francis, trained nurse young, trained nurse becker, trained nurse isobel curnow