Pleasant Creek Colony history in brief Warning about distressing information Patient information Disclaimer Source On this page: Pleasant Creek Colony history in brief Warning about distressing information Patient information Disclaimer Source Pleasant Creek Colony history in brief In 1861, the Pleasant Creek Hospital opened as a medical facility for the population of Stawell and district. Another building was added in 1904, Syme Ward for convalescent patients. In 1933, the facility was replaced by a newly-built hospital in the town of Stawell. In 1934, the Mental Hygiene Department acquired the old Pleasant Creek Hospital site and converted it to accommodate children with disabilities, which became Pleasant Creek Special School. The first residents (18 boys) were admitted in 1937 from Royal Park Depot. At the end of 1937, there were 98 children living at Pleasant Creek. In 1968 the Pleasant Creek Special School was renamed Pleasant Creek Training Centre, caring for people with intellectual disabilities. From the 1950s to the 1980s, there were several building developments: •1957, Lonsdale Unit expanded capacity to 113 •1969, Bellfield and Fyans Units increased numbers to 196 •1977, Alexandra Unit converted to recreational and lecture room facility. •1977, Day Centre, Nurses' Home and Clinical Services Administration buildings •1985, Nara Unit closed for renovations and residents moved to the previous staff living quarters. https://www.findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au/CollectionResultsPage/Pleasant-Creek-Colony

WINLATON 1956 - 1993 • Established in 1951 with the name “Winlaton” the property was a children’s home run by the Mission of St James & St John. • By 1953 it was acquired and ran as a state facility under the same name (Winlaton), for female offenders and for girls under protection orders - otherwise known as ‘wards of the state’. • By the time of its closure in 1993, it was operating under the name “Nunawading Youth Residential Centre”, housing both males and females. WINLATON YOUTH TRAINING CENTRE By 1956, the state had constructed a purpose-built facility at Winlaton which would cater for both girls, and young women, who were under either a protection order/ward or who were female juvenile offenders. Some of the juvenile offenders were transferred to Winlaton from other facilities such as Turana, originally called the Royal Park Depot, due to overcrowding, or from convents. With the new facilities Winlaton, supposedly, could offer a separate training, education and treatment regime for those girls or young women who had been admitted under protection orders separately to those who had been committed under a custodial order. With this focus on training and rehabilitation the facility had 3 residential sections, or cottages. A Winlaton “trainee”, showing signs of good behaviour and progress, could be promoted up through any of the 3 cottages and likewise demoted down with bad behaviour. However, by 1957 one of the 3 cottages at Winlaton housed sentenced offenders and wards of state together. A 4th hostel – named ‘Leawarra’ - was added in 1959 which functioned as a reward, or privilege, for residents deemed worthy. Of note, this hostel kept offenders segregated from wards of the state. Juvenile offenders were termed as “trainees” through the Social Welfare Act 1960. By 1985 Winlaton was restricted to only providing programs for young offenders. CLOSURE OF WINLATON The population of Winlaton peaked in the mid-1970s with approximately 100 “trainees” and this population then declined to approximately 25 by 1991 when it closed under the name “Winlaton”. https://www.findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au/collectionresultspage/Winlaton https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/vic/biogs/E000192b.htm

Caloola Training Centre (1962–92) Sunbury Asylum (1879 - 1905); Hospital for the Insane (1905–34); Mental Hospital (1934–85) https://www.findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au/searchresults?q=CALOOLA%20TRAINING%20CENTRE

Stamp three: wooden handle, metal casing containing the operating system for a rotating belt of numbers which can be changed to record the current date. There is a rubberised stamp surface, with wording that reads 'RECEIVED. WINLATON". A window for a date appears in the centre between the two words. The date on this stamp is set to '8 December 1992'. This is the day after the Winlaton institution was permanently closed.

Stamp four: wooden handle, metal casing containing the operating system for a rotating belt of numbers which can be changed to record the current date.The rotating date mechanism on this stamp appears to have dropped out of its correct position within the casing, as the numbers are slightly off set and out of place. There is a rubberised stamp surface, with wording that reads 'RECEIVED. WINLATON". A window for a date appears in the centre between the two words.

Rectangular wooden honour board with gold lettering and a decorative border and WHS logo centred at the top middle of the border. This border reads WANGARATTA HIGH SCHOOL DONATED BY W.H.S. PAST STUDENTS & TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONWANGARATTA HIGH SCHOOL HONOURING TEACHERS 15 & 20* YEARS+ SERVICE 1919 J.W. THOMAS 1941 *DAVE MORRIS 1944 CHRIS MORRIS 1952 BILL O'CALLAGHAN 1960 *MAX GEORGE, *CONSTANANCE RUSSELL, *MYRA BAXTER 1964 MAE OSMOTHERLY, *BRUCE REVELL 1966 *MARGARET MELGAARD 1967 AORIAN TWITT 1968 *JOY STAR, LEN CARTHRO 1969 *NOEL WILLIAMS, HARVEY DIKE 1970 LAURIE BUFFELO 1972 *DORATHY CALDWELL, GEOFF MOAR 1974 *ANNE GELL 1975 BRIAN MALLINDER 1976 *DOUG McGREGOR, *SUE SPILLER, *BLAKE MUDGE 1977 KATE OFER, *DOUG GRIFFITHS, *DOUG LANE 1979 *NEIL FOSTER 1981 *RAY PIKE 1982 *KEVIN McGENNAN, *JENNY SHEARER, *TERRY MAGREE 1984 *JOHN EVANS, CAROL MYLES, JANET HEATH 1985 SUE DAVIDSON, *PETER SMITH, *WARREN COLES, PAUL SCHOLES 1986 *JUDY ROSE, DON HEATH, *REX PIRIE, *PAUL THOMAS, *PAT BRUCE, *SANDY NEWMAN 1987 GEORGE MOHR, *COLIN PIKE, ANNETTE STARIKA, *ROB FINDLAY, *ANNE SCHULZE, KERRY SCHOLES 1988 *GLENN DREW, *ERIKA PIKE *GRAENE STRANG, *PEG CHIVERS, PETER BOYD 1989 DAVID ASHFIELD, *NEIL MORTON DONATED BY W.H.S. PAST STUDENTS & TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

The RDNS Sisters are named in the photograph, L-R - Sister Megan Margaret Day who works in the Domiciliary Infant Maternal Care (DIMC) section of RDNS. The next Sister's name is unknown, and on the right is Sister Ruth Eileen McKeon who is a Nurse Educator with RDNS. The photograph is taken in the Education Department of Royal District Nursing Service, and the two Sisters are receiving instruction on the function of the organs of the human body from Sister McKeon. The Sisters are wearing the RDNS summer uniform of a white short sleeve blouse under a royal blue V neck tunic style frock. Education was an integral part of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885, later, in 1966, called Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS). From 1885, only Trained nurses (Nurses), through the Hospital training system, were employed by the Society, and on visits to patients they taught the necessity of hygiene and cleanliness, as well as the need for a good diet, to bring about good health. Doctor’s lectures were later given at the MDNS home to instruct patients and their families on prevention of disease. Education to patients continued throughout the years regarding health care and the use of equipment in the home. In 1961, Education programs commenced at MDNS with Trained nurses (Sisters) receiving In-service education. Sr. Pat (Paddy) Rowley was a leader in In-service Education and established the RDNS Department of Community Nursing Education in 1962. Staff could also apply for scholarships to further their education outside of RDNS. Many of their senior Sisters received Postgraduate diplomas from the College of Nursing in Community Health Nursing, Education, and Administration, and several travelled overseas visiting nursing organizations viewing their public health and District nursing systems. At RDNS many programs were run, including: a Post Basic Course, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nursing, Haematology/Oncology Nursing, Palliative Care program, Diabetic Stabilization Program, Leg Ulcer Management Program, Wound Care Specialist Program, HIV/AIDS Nursing Care, Cystic Fibrosis Home Support, Veterans Home Care Program, Breast Cancer Support Program, Continence Management Program, Stomal Therapy Program, In-Home Lactation Support Program and the Homeless Persons Program. RDNS staff attended several hospitals to observe and learn special care needed to some clients, e.g. to the Austin Hospital to learn the care required for paraplegic and quadriplegic patients at home, and to Mount Royal Hospital to observe the care of patients in the Rehabilitation ward. A Community Nursing Education Program was extended to student nurses from hospitals and to other nursing organizations. These Education programs kept the RDNS Sisters abreast of new techniques, such as changes in technology for e.g. new testing methods in detecting glucose levels in Diabetic patients. Sr. Nan Deakin obtained a Post Basic Certificate in Psychiatric Nursing and included this area in her Education lectures. Sr. Daphne Geldard specialized in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. These Sisters visited patients in District areas with the regular RDNS Sister when required. Every member of staff, both professional and non professional staff, received regular education in the Education Department. In 1980, a Home Health Aide pilot study, funded by the Federal Government, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and RDNS, with the program written and taught by Sr. Rowley, was evaluated as successful, and Home Health Aides were employed and worked in RDNS Centres under the supervision of the RDNS Sisters. On the left of this black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sister Megan Day, who has curled short dark hair and is wearing glasses. She is standing side-on facing to the right of the photograph. The index finger of her right hand is pointing to an area on the internal frontal view of a Human Torso Model which is sitting on a table to her right. Between her and the model is another Sister who has her long dark hair drawn back. She is looking at the internal organs in the Model. To the right of the Model is Sister Ruth McKeon, who has her long light colour hair drawn back into a French Twist. She is standing side-on facing to the left of the photograph, and is smiling as she holds one of the organs taken from the Model. When looking at the photograph, the left side of the Model's face is seen, and on the right side the Internal organs of the face are seen. The internal organs of the neck and torso of the Model are seen. A blackboard with writings about the function of 'The Heart' is In the background. The Sisters are all wearing their RDNS uniforms of a short sleeve white blouse under a V neck tunic style dress which has the RDNS logo on its upper left.Barry Sutton LY 66 namesrdns, rdns education, royal district nursing service, sister megan margaret day, sister ruth eileen mckeon

The photograph shows a group of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters receiving a lecture on 'Physical Handicap' given by Sr. Rowley in the Education Department at RDNS Headquarters 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Sr. Rowley is the Principal Nurse Educator at RDNS.Education was an integral part of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885, later, in 1966, called Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS). From 1885, only Trained nurses (Nurses), through the Hospital training system, were employed by the Society, and on visits to patients they taught the necessity of hygiene and cleanliness, as well as the need for a good diet, to bring about good health. Doctor’s lectures were later given at the MDNS home to instruct patients and their families on prevention of disease. Education to patients continued throughout the years regarding health care and the use of equipment in the home. In 1961, Education programs commenced at MDNS with Trained nurses (Sisters) receiving In-service education. Sr. Pat (Paddy) Rowley was a leader in In-service Education and established the RDNS Department of Community Nursing Education in 1962. Staff could also apply for scholarships to further their education outside of RDNS. Many of their senior Sisters received Postgraduate diplomas from the College of Nursing in Community Health Nursing, Education, and Administration, and several travelled overseas visiting nursing organizations viewing their public health and District nursing systems. At RDNS many programs were run, including: a Post Basic Course, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nursing, Haematology/Oncology Nursing, Palliative Care program, Diabetic Stabilization Program, Leg Ulcer Management Program, Wound Care Specialist Program, HIV/AIDS Nursing Care, Cystic Fibrosis Home Support, Veterans Home Care Program, Breast Cancer Support Program, Continence Management Program, Stomal Therapy Program, In-Home Lactation Support Program and the Homeless Persons Program. RDNS Sisters attended several hospitals to observe and learn special care needed to some patients, e.g. to the Austin Hospital to learn the care required for paraplegic and quadriplegic patients at home, and to Mount Royal Hospital to observe the care of patients in the Rehabilitation ward. A Community Nursing Education Program was extended to student nurses from hospitals and to other nursing organizations. These Education programs kept the RDNS Sisters abreast of new techniques, such as changes in technology for e.g. new testing methods in detecting glucose levels in Diabetic patients. Sr. Nan Deakin obtained a Post Basic Certificate in Psychiatric Nursing and included this area in her Education lectures. Sr. Daphne Geldard specialized in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. These Sisters visited patients in District areas with the regular RDNS Sister when required. Every member of staff, both professional and non professional staff, received regular education in the Education Department. In 1980, a Home Health Aide pilot study, funded by the Federal Government, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and RDNS, with the program written and taught by Sr. Rowley, was evaluated as successful, and Home Health Aides were employed and worked in RDNS Centres under the supervision of the RDNS Sisters. This black and white photograph shows the back view of four rows of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters sitting at small tables and looking toward Sister Pat (Paddy) Rowley who is facing them. She is in the rear centre of the photograph. The 16 Sisters, some partly hidden, are wearing a variety of summer day clothes. Spectacle cases, pens, sheets of paper, and some books are on the tables in front of them. Sister Rowley who wears glasses; has short straight dark hair, is wearing a white short sleeve blouse under a dark V neck tunic style dress. She is looking at the group and her right hand is pointing to writing on a large blackboard standing to her right. To the left of the blackboard, a draped Human Torso Model sits on a table. A long dark curtain hangs behind part of the blackboard. Running along the left of the photograph is a wooden door with glass panels at the top, some light colour wall with a dark picture rail, and a set of double glass doors with long grey curtains either side. To the right of Sr. Rowley part of a large white board is seen hanging above and below the dark picture rail on the wall.Barry Sutton LY 69rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns education, sister pat (paddy) rowley

Sister Pat (Paddy) Rowley is the Principal Nurse Educator at Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) and is standing with a group of RDNS staff in the Education Department at RDNS Headquarters, 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Sr. Rowley is wearing the RDNS winter uniform of a blue/grey skivvie under a blue/grey V neck tunic style dress made of herring bone winter material. She, and the lady in the white dress, are displaying the RDNS winter beret made of the same herringbone material as the RDNS winter dress.From its earliest years when the Trained nurses (Nurses) of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS began to wear uniforms the chosen colour was grey, though the style changed throughout the years as fashions changed from the late 1800s through to the 1970s. Their Nurses firstly wore long grey frocks, and on their heads, a white cap with a long white tail hanging from the centre back. When bicycles were introduced the headgear changed to a white pith helmet adorned with a red Maltese cross in the centre front. This was held on with a veil going over the hat and tied under the chin. Over the years there were complaints that the veils became wet in the rain and they asked for a change of uniform, but this did not happen until 1921. Later the Trained nurses (Sisters) complained their skirts became wet when riding their bicycles in the rain and asked, when raining, to be able to wear breeches and gaiters. This was granted provided they wore aprons when attending patients. It was not long before the uniform changed to a shorter length grey frock, red cardigan, grey coat and grey brimmed hat; later changed to a peaked grey hat. In 1966 MDNS were granted Royal patronage. Now as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), the uniform was redesigned and colour changed in 1971. By 1972 the Sisters were wearing the new winter uniform of a blue/grey skivvie under a V neck tunic style frock made of blue/grey herringbone winter material with the RDNS insignia on the upper left, and a beret of the same material. In summer the uniform became a royal blue V neck tunic style frock, with the RDNS insignia on the upper left, worn over a short sleeve white blouse. A royal blue peaked hat with the RDNS insignia in the centre front was worn at first and then only worn on official occasions. This uniform was worn until changed to a corporate style in the mid 1980s,This black and white photograph depicts six Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) staff standing in two rows in front of closed long grey curtains. They are looking at the camera and smiling, some are partly hidden. L- R back row - A lady who has short dark hair and is wearing a grey and black patterned frock. Next is a lady with her black hair drawn back; is wearing black pants and a black sleeveless V neck jacket over a white skivvie. The next lady has wavy short dark hair; is wearing white slacks, a light grey jacket with lapels and the pocket on its upper left has a vertical zip in the centre. She has a black and white striped scarf around her neck. Front row L-R - A lady with shoulder length black curled hair who is wearing a white uniform style dress and is turned toward the right of the photograph. Her right hand is on the top edge of an RDNS beret which is held on its edge with the inner white lining seen, and the upper section showing the deep front of the beret which has a central RDNS logo. To the right of this, is Sister Pat (Paddy) Rowley who has short dark straight hair; is wearing dark rimmed glasses and is wearing a light grey skivvie under a darker V neck tunic style dress. She is turned toward the left of the photograph and her right hand is holding the bottom edge of the RDNS beret and her left hand is on the top edge. The next lady, on the far right, has shoulder length black curly hair and is wearing dark grey slacks, and a black round neck jumper over a white blouse with the peaks and cuff seen.Barry Sutton MA 23 rdns, rdns education, royal district nursing service, rdns uniform, sister pat (paddy) rowley