This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Patriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.A postwar fundraising button featuring a simple design using white text in a red boarder with and central blue cross. In February when the buttons were sold, The Argus reported that: ‘Each suburban municipality has formed a committee under its mayoress, to assist in the button distribution, and local committees in the country are also working for the success of the appeal. Kiosks are prohibited in the city streets, but many suburban councils have granted permission for their erection. In addition to buttons, many kinds of saleable articles will be obtainable at the kiosks.’"Women’s Hospital Appeal 1923"royal womens hospital, fundraising buttons, badges

The photograph was printed for a historic display at the Bulla Primary School. The children in the photograph who were past pupils of the Bulla State School are Eric Lewis Grant, who was born on 10th September in 1889 and died on 26th March 1969 and Harold Bruce Grant, born 2nd December 1891 and died on 21 December 1934. Further information states that they were 'Ossie's uncles', who was also an old Bulla resident. Bulla State School was one of the earliest schools to be established in the nineteenth century. It was closed down in 1996, which caused much disappointment to the residents.A photocopied print of an old photograph of two boys in a garden. It has been pasted on board and has a white surround with information about the people in the photograph printed under the image. SCHOOL DAYS is printed at the top of the photograph. grant, eric lewis., grant, harold bruce., bulla, bulla primary school

Articles in annual report include: List of office bearers of the institute and officers of the institute, Confidence mobility, Annual report of the RVIB babies, Children and adults - 97 years of service and programmes - special appeal, Residence rehabilitation training centre, Conference mobility, Ten pin bowling, Deaf blind centre, Resident nursery and school, Worldwide literary competition, Higher education, Employment, Welfare, Recreation, Finance, Appreciation, Auxiliary, 3KZ Christmas appeal, Vice regal patronage, My friend the long cane - a new method of self-help for blind people, They're the workers, 36th annual report of the council of auxiliary. Events that occurred in 1962 : Hon. H.E. Bolte, Premier opened the appeal and announced a special grant of $20,000 pounds from the state government. Lieutenant General Sir Henry Wells accepted the board's invitation to become chairman of the appeal, at the Burwood school Cheng Ann Cheok a 15 year old Singaporean boy arrived to further his education and study music, he hopes to adopt music as his career. Through the kind offices of Dr Edward J. Waterhouse director of Perkins school for the blind of Boston and the generosity of its Board of Trustees a scholarship will be provided to the Institute for an Australian teacher to be trained as a specialist teacher within their school.1 volume of text and illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

Carbon copy of a letter to State Savings Bank of Victoria accompanying copy of agreement between the Trustees of the Kooyong Club House and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, requesting that the same is returned after perusal.1 single sheet of typed paperA female dressed in a loose gown holds a lantern from which the words 'Association', 'Advancement', 'of the Blind' and 'For the' are written in the rays coming from it. Below her feet are the words "Light of the Blind". 'Founded 1895' is written below the lantern, whilst in the top right hand corner is filled with: Homes at Brighton Beach Bendigo Hostels at South Yarra Windsor Offices: MU 4189 118 Queen Street, Melbourne C.1. All communications to be addressed to Secretary. Below the female figure, in the lower left hand side of the page: President: Miss Tilly Aston General Secretary: G.R. Fowler Objects: To promote the welfare of the Blind intellectually, physically and socially. To grant financial assistance in cases of necessity. To provide permanent or convalescent Homes and Hostels of an unsectarian character for the Blind. To visit the Blind.association for the advancement of the blind, kooyong club house

A public appeal was made to raise funds for Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) so motor cars could be purchased to assist their Trained nurses, known as 'Nurse' in those days, with their visits during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1919. With donations from businesses and individuals four cars were available within a month, and this photograph shows two of them In 1919 parked outside 'Floraston', 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood, which was the first MDNS Headquarters and Nursing Home purchased by the Society. The MDNS uniform was a grey cotton frock with white collar, a grey coat with lapels, and a grey brimmed hat with a red Maltese cross in the centre of the hatband. From its founding in 1885 until 1891 the Trained nurses, known as 'Nurse' in those days, of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked from their own homes which were located in the vicinity of their areas (districts). In November 1891 MDNS was able to rent a two story terraced house at 66 Cardigan Street, Carlton, at £65 a year, which contained accommodation for three Nurses and one pupil nurse as well as being used as their Headquarters. They left from their Nurses Home each morning and returned at the end of their shift to write up their book work before retiring for the day. Three years later they moved into a larger terraced house at 49 Drummond Street Carlton which was rented at ‘a very moderate rental’. There was a Board room, apartments for the Nurses and pupil nurse, a large dispensary which patients could attend each evening to have prescriptions signed and bottles refilled with ‘homely remedies’ and elixirs, which were administered to for e.g. Consumptive cases. Doctor’s prescriptions were filled at the Pharmacy. Cupboards containing donated blankets and bedclothes for needy patients were kept in this room, and it was here where the Nurses kept their nursing bags which were refilled at the end of each shift ready for any emergency and for the next day. A list of Doctors the Nurses could call was kept by the telephone. The home also had a kitchen where nourishing soup was made and distributed twice a week to the needy. Milk was also distributed when needed. In 1902 they moved into rented premises at 188 Leicester Street, Carlton and two years later, in 1904, to premises at 5 Royal Terrace, Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. They remained there for ten years. In June 1914 at last the Society had sufficient funding to purchase their own terraced premises, ‘Floraston’ 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood which was their Headquarters and Nurses Home. In 1926 the After-Care Home for recovering patients, (later called After-Care Hospital) was built by the Society next door, running from 41-47 Victoria Parade (became No. 45); the District nurses continued to live at No. 39. District Nursing has had various modes of transport over the last 130 plus years. At first, from 1885 as Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), the 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 they were sold in 1927. A Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take Trained nurses, now called '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 until MDNS and, having received Royal patronage, the now named Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own full fleet of vehicles.Sepia photograph on grey mounting board depicting four Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses (Nurses) sitting in two motor vehicles in front of Melbourne District Nursing Society Headquarters and Nurses Home. In the foreground are the two Ford Model T vehicles with their soft hoods open. Each car has four spoked wheels. A frame where a spare wheel is attached can be seen attached to the rear car's running board. A spare wheel, with white tyre, can be seen standing up resting against the middle of the front car; the lower section of the tyre is sitting on the running board. The steering wheel can be seen on the right hand side of both cars with a Nurse sitting behind it with her hands resting on the wheel. The upper part seen of the two MDNS Nurses in each car shows they are wearing grey uniform coats over their frocks, the white collars of which can be seen. They are all looking at the camera, and are wearing grey hats with a central Maltese cross on the white hatband. Behind the cars the footpath and the metal spiked fence, with a square concrete columns at either end can be seen. '39' is near the top of the left hand column and a white oblong name plate is attached to the fence. On the far right of the photograph a wooden gate runs from the column. A dark name plate is attached with the words 'Patient Entrance' / - 'Melbourne District Nursing Society -/ For Nursing the Sick Poor'. Behind this are a row of shrubs forming a hedge and behind this the two storey terrace building with its three arched arcade veranda on the ground floor and three long widows on the top floor with a veranda with a metal scrolled safety rail. The building has a flat roof with a central raised section with 'Floraston', written in capital letters on it. XJ. 13. is written in black ink on the bottom right corner of the photographPhotographer's stamp on mounting boardmelbourne district nursing society, mdns, transport, nurses home, rdns, royal district nursing service

The RDNS Sister is about to leave to visit patients in their homes in the community to administer nursing care as advised by a Doctor. The RDNS insignia on the door of the car is a round badge with a royal blue circle around the edge with the words "Royal District Nursing Service" in white, and the centre section is in three parts ,with the upper and lower sections white, and a royal blue centre strip with the large white capital letters "RDNS".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 of a Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister about to enter one of the new light grey 2 door Holden Torana RDNS cars. The Sister, who is smiling, is wearing her uniform grey peaked hat over her long dark hair which is drawn back. She is wearing her long grey coat with the RDNS insignia on the upper sleeve and is holding the partly opened driver side door of the car with her left hand. She is holding the handle on the top of her rectangular black nursing case with her right hand. To the right, the grill and black number plate, with the white writing displaying "KXF 024", can be seen. The round RDNS insignia is on the upper centre of the car door. The car is the same width all over, has a flat bonnet which joins a sloping windscreen adjoining a flat roof which runs along and joins a short back window running down to a boot. A black tyred wheel can be seen under wheel arches at the front and near the rear of the vehicle. In the background to the left is a mid size bare tree; behind this portions of several parked cars and behind them a multi storey building with the Written words "Rioby House". To its right and directly behind the car is a mid size bare tree and behind that the end view of a brick building with a hip roof. Barry Sutton Photographer. Quote KL 52rdns transport, rdns uniform, royal district nursing service, rdns

The photograph of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Holden Torana vehicles was taken in the RDNS Headquarters car park at the rear of 452 St Kilda Road. These cars are part of the RDNS fleet, with others housed at RDNS Centres. The cars were used by the RDNS District nurses to visit patients in their own homes. This photograph depicts two door Holden Torana cars of 1972.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 of 14, some partly hidden, new grey Holden Torana two door vehicles parked in two rows in the RDNS concrete based car park. The cars are parked with their front lights, grill, bumper bars and number plates facing the left of the photograph. The cars are seen side-on with the full side-on view of the two cars at the beginning of the rows seen in the foreground of the photograph. The flat bonnet is the same width as the rest of the body of the car; the windscreen slopes upward and joins the flat roof; there are two wiper blades resting at the base of the windscreen. In line, and at the level of the windscreen, a quarter window, and two windows divided by a narrow pillar can be seen running along the side of the car above the slightly convex body work and front door. The rear window slopes back from the roof and the slope continues on the upper bodywork of the boot lid. A metal strip runs along the side of the car about half way down the bodywork, and another runs just up from the beginning of the front wheel arch to the rear wheel arch; beside the front wheel arch is the word 'Torana'. The round, with capital letters 'RDNS', insignia can be seen on the upper centre of the front door of the two cars. The solid wheel caps have the Holden logo on them. The front grill which runs between the headlights on either side of the car, slopes slightly backwards from the central Holden badge. The bumper bar below this is metal. Black number plates with white written capital letters and numbers 'LFA - 208' and 'LFA - 207' are seen on two of the cars in the front row. The tops of two front seats with headrests and the top of a long back seat can be seen inside the car. A tall brick fence is seen running along the rear and right hand side of the car park. In the left background is a two storey building with a flat roof, and behind this on its left is a part of a tall building and to its right part of a bare tree can be seen. To the buildings right rear part of a house can be seen. In front and to the right of this is a three storey brick building, with the top two storeys seen above the car park fence. Multiple windows run along both levels of this building which has a tiled hip roof. The tops of some bushes are seen behind parts of the car park fence.Barry Sutton Photographer's Stamp Quote KX83rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns transport, rdns headquarters, rdns car park

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,

The MDNS Trained nurses (Sisters) are about to board two motor vehicles outside their Nurses home, at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood, to be driven to give nursing care to their patients who lived a distance away. The lady Chauffeur is probably Miss Sword who was employed by MDNS in 1922-23; she was also in charge of the garage. This enabled the Sisters to do more visits in a day than when using Public transport all the time. This image also shows the style of cars driven in that era. The Sisters uniforms are grey and their hats have a red Maltese cross attached to the centre front of the hatband. 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 female Chauffeur, 'Miss Sword', was employed who lived in the Home and was also in charge of the garage. MDNS was expanding, and In 1929 Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) formed a volunteer Motor Auxiliary to transport their Trained Nurses (Sisters) to make visits more patients who lived a distance away. At first wealthy people offered their car and chauffeur, but then the general public supplied their own vehicles. They operated on week days when able and could take up to three Sisters at a time, collecting them from the Nurses Home, 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood, at 9 a.m; dropping each Sister at a patient then picking them up and taking them to the next patient before completing the morning round and returning to the Nurses Home at 1 p.m.. The Sisters were able to double the number of visits they did each morning and did their afternoon visits on public transport. At its peak there were 60 volunteers but this fell off during World War 11. In 1944 the Red Cross were assisting, and by 1953 were taking out 16 MDNS Sisters. Appeals for volunteers occurred over the years, particularly during the Tram and Tramway Bus strike in the 1950s, and when the Royal Women's Hospital had an influx of births and wanted to send the mothers and babies home on day four but could not do so if M.D.N.S. could not visit. During 1962 the Motor Auxiliary transported 34 Sisters who preferred not to drive themselves, but as the MDNS fleet of cars grew there was less need for their service and the Auxiliary was disbanded in 1971. 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. IA black and white digital image showing, in the left foreground, the frontal view of an early model, 1920s, soft hooded car parked on the road next to the gutter. Two front spoked wheels are seen, and headlights sit either side of the radiator at the front of the nose shaped bonnet.. '3758' is written in white on the black number plate below the radiator. The female Chauffeur is dressed in a dark coat and peaked hat and is standing by the partly open driver's door. The passenger door is open and a Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Sister is standing on the footpath behind the door. Another Sister stands behind her. There is another similar car parked behind the first one. It is partly obscured, its hood is down; it has spoked wheels and one of its headlights can be seen beside the partially obscured radiator. Part of the black number plate can be seen with two of its numbers, '69', written in white. A partly obscured Sister is standing by the driver's door and another behind the open passenger door. Another Sister is standing at the rear of this car..The five MDNS Sisters are wearing their uniform grey coats and felt brimmed grey hats with a Maltese cross applied to the centre hatband, Leafless trees and some buildings can be seen in the background.melbourne district nursing society, after-care home, rdns, royal district nursing service, mdns motor auxiliary, mdns uniforms, miss sword, female chauffeur

This photograph shows the Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS), Headquarter and Nursing Home at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. The cars in front of the building are part of the MDNS fleet of cars and are Australian built Holden vehicles of the 1960s. The MDNS Trained nurses (Sisters) seen are wearing their grey uniform coats and hats which had a red Maltese cross in the centre front. Under their coats the Sisters wore grey cotton frocks. The Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS) building at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne was originally called 'Airlie Mansion', the childhood home of Stanley Melbourne Bruce, the Prime Minister of Australia 1923-1929. 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. 'Airlie' was used by Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital nurses as a Nurses Home prior to Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS), moving into this building as their Headquarters and Nursing Home in 1953. MDNS was given Royal patronage in 1966 and continued to occupy the building as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) until 1996. 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 they were sold in 1927. 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 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 of two Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS) Holden vehicles parked outside MDNS Headquarters, which is seen in the background of the photograph. To the right is a MDNS Sister, who is wearing her grey peaked hat over her drawn back long hair. and is wearing her grey coat and carrying a square nursing case with the capital letters 'RDNS' written on it; she is standing side-on, looking to her left, and her right hand is on the door handle of the front door of the right hand car. To her left is another car, with a MDNS Sister standing on the grass behind the bonnet. She is wearing glasses and her uniform hat is worn over short dark hair. She is wearing a grey coat, scarf and both gloved hands are holding the handles of bags. On the drivers door of this car the words 'Melbourne District Nursing Service' are written in capital letters. On the far left hand side of the photograph, half of a third Holden vehicle is seen and a large tree is on the nature strip between this and the middle car. Behind the vehicles, bushes and a large tree can be seen on the left hand side behind the cast iron fence. Several other bushes and small trees are seen. In the background is MDNS Headquarters; a large white two storey Italian style building, which has three, roman column, arched Arcadia on either side of a polygon shaped bay window on the ground floor, and three long windows to the left and a three arched Arcade to the right on the second floor. Two Sisters in uniform are standing on the veranda of the 2nd floor between the far right hand arch. To the left and right of the building, parts of single storey hip roof buildings can be seen.melbourne district nursing service, mdns, rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns headquarters, rdns transport, mdns uniforms

This photograph shows the typical road conditions encountered by RDNS District Sisters during their days work visiting patients to administer nursing care. From its inception in 1885 their 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. District Nursing has had various modes of transport over the last 130 plus years. At first, from 1885 as MDNS, the Nurses walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of central Melbourne. As the Society expanded public transport was used; 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 they were sold in 1927. A Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take their 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 until, having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own full fleet of vehicles by the mid 1960s. In many areas there were unsealed roads, in various conditions, which the Sisters negotiated to reach their patients to give care. 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. In the centre of this black and white photograph is a Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS) Sister in her RDNS grey car driving up the lower section of a hill on a dirt road. The car's rear black Victorian number plate, with 'JPH - 516' written on it can be seen. Dust is rising on either side of the car. In the foreground the road runs downward to a dip and then up the hill; trees are along either side of the road, and dirt and stones are seen on the side of the road in the left foreground. Photographers stamp. Quote No. GE 95rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns transport

This sepia digital image shows the Austin car which was donated to the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in !937 by the Rotary Club of Victoria. It was used by the Matron of the MDNS District Division to visit patients weekly. The photograph is taken outside the MDNS Headquarters at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. The photograph appeared along with an article in The Age Friday May 7, 1937. The photograph appeared in the MDNS Annual Report of 1937. On page 8, mention is made of J.D Johnston Esq, President of the Rotary Club of Victoria, presenting the Austin vehicle to MDNS. 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. In the foreground of this sepia photograph is a side-on view of a four door 1937 style small grey car with a nose shaped bonnet, parked on the road beside the kerb with the headlight facing to the right of the photograph.The bonnet joins onto a straight windscreen which adjoins a slightly curved hood running back along the car. This adjoins a back window which joins onto the sloping rear body of the car with a small protruding boot. Windows are seen above the body work of both facing doors and a smaller sloping window above the body work and rear wheel arch. On the drivers door is a Maltese cross and the words "Melbourne District" written above the Maltese cross and "Nursing Society" below it. In front of this door the body work forms a wheel arch and the headlight is attached between this body work and the bonnet. Rubber tyred wheels with solid hub caps are seen below each wheel arch. On the footpath, behind the bonnet of the car, four Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses (Sisters) are standing. They are wearing dark grey coats over their grey uniforms with white collars, and brimmed grey hats with a Maltese cross on the light coloured headband. The Sister on the right has her left hand gripping the handle on top of her oblong nursing case. A metal spiked fence is behind the Sisters, which runs to the left into one of the two square concrete columns which sit either side of a path. A hedge is behind the fence, and behind this part of a building with three arched windows can be seen. A white plaque is attached to the fence near one of the columns.mdns, melbourne district nursing society, rotary club of victoria, mdns transport, rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns transport

Mr. Bralsford,the Transport Manager at Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), is instructing RDNS staff in the responsibilities of driving an RDNS vehicle. The Sisters were undergoing a Post Basic Course given by RDNS Educators, Car maintenance was necessary from 1937 when a car was donated by the Rotary Club to Melbourne District Nursing Society, (MDNS). Another car was donated, by General Motors-Holden, via the Duchess of Gloucester, in 1947, and the fleet began to grow from 1950 with seven Ford Prefects being provided by the Hospital and Charities Commission. For many years Melford Motors in South Melbourne maintained the MDNS fleet, until the fleet grew to the point of, the now named, Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) providing its own Car Maintenance Division to service the cars regularly. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, (RACV), attended any breakdowns which occurred when nursing staff were on the road. Each new Sister employed by the Service was taken out for a driving test before she drove a District car. 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; 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 they were sold in 1927. 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 until, having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own full fleet of vehicles by the mid 1960s. In many areas there were unsealed roads, in various conditions, which the Sisters negotiated to reach their patients to give care. 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 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 those that did the Warburton and Powelltown area worked off a large paper map. 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 showing Mr. Bralsford instructing RDNS staff. In the left foreground is Sister (Sr) Liz Thomson who has her dark hair drawn back, is looking down at a piece of white paper resting on the arm of the wooden chair on which she is sitting. In front of her are the back views of Sr. Betty McDonald with curled dark hair and to her right is Sister Joanne Wilkinson. Mr. Bralsford, who has short dark hair; is wearing glasses, and wearing a grey coat, is standing in front of them pointing to a blackboard with his extended left arm and hand. He is looking down, and has his right hand on a piece of white paper on a desk. A strip heater is high on the left hand wall.Photographers stamp and Quote No. GW 101royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns transport, rdns education, melford motors, racv, sister liz thomson, sister betty mcdonald, sister joanne wilkinson, mr bralsford

This white Toyota Corolla is one of the fleet of cars driven by Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters to visit patients in the community to administer nursing care. 1985 was the centenary of the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society; founded in 1885; the Society was given Royal patronage in 1966 and became the Royal District Nursing Service. The Coat of Arms shown on the car was granted by the College of Arms in London in 1970. 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. Coloured photograph of the side on view of a Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS).white Toyota Corolla sedan displaying the RDNS Coat of Arms on the upper centre of the front door. The car is the same width all over and the flat bonnet joins to a sloping large front windscreen. on the side, at the level of the windscreen are two windows, above the metal body work of both doors. The roof runs from the top of the windscreen to the rear of the vehicle where it joins with a short back window which sits above a short boot. Part of the front grill and headlights either side of it are seen, and a bumper bar below this. A black tyred wheel with solid hub cap is seen under a wheel arch in the body work, at the front and rear of the vehicle.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns crest, rdns transport

This photograph depicts the style of MDNS uniform worn at that time, which was a grey cotton dress and red cardigan, over which was a woolen grey coat. The beret was of grey felt and had a red Maltese cross attached to the centre. Sister Wilson is about to enter her MDNS car, which was one of the early cars in the MDNS fleet, to drive to a patient to give nursing care.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 they were sold in 1927. 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 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 of Sister Jill Wilson of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) about to enter her work car. Sister Wilson is wearing her winter uniform, with a light grey beret over her short dark curled hair, and a long light grey coat which has lapels. She is standing side on, and to the left of the partially seen small white car. She is smiling and looking at the camera. Her right arm is extended with her hand on the handle of the partially opened car door and she is holding a white bag and cloth in her left hand. At her feet is her dark coloured, square shaped, nursing case which has a leather strap around the middle and two light coloured clasps each end, as well as a thick hard handle on the top. She is standing on the road and to her left, on the grass, are two lamp posts; small bushes can be seen as well as two trees in the distance. Two dark coloured buildings, one with a hip roof and one a flat roof, can be seen behind the car. rdns, motor vehicle, nurse, uniform, melbourne district nursing society, mdns, rdns transport, royal district nursing service, sister jill wilson

This photograph depicts the style of uniform worn by the Trained nurses of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) at that time. It shows part of a Cable Tram being the type of Public transport used by the Trained nurses to visit their patients. This group of Trained nurses are about to board trams to commence their visits to MDNS patients who require nursing care in their homes.District Nursing has had various modes of transport over the last 130 years. At first, from 1885 as Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), their Trained 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 1955. 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 they were sold in 1927. A Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take Nurses to patients, and some nurses used their own cars; even a motorcycle was used by one nurse in 1933. All these forms of transport were intermingled until, having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own full fleet of vehicles.A slightly fuzzy black and white photograph which shows six Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Sisters standing at a tram stop wearing uniforms of full length coats and grey brimmed hats bearing a Maltese cross insignia on the hat band. Each Sister is carrying a square nursing case with a thick handle on the top. Part of a Cable tram, with a 'Spencer Street' sign attached to the top, is on the right of the photograph. Two of the Sisters are about to board the tram. Four Sisters are standing by the 'tram stop' sign. A line of leafless tree are seen behind the Sisters, and white terraced houses are in the background.public transport, mdns, uniforms, melbourne district nursing society, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns transport

"The Mechanics Institute movement flourished in Victoria from 1839 to 1950. It was based on the development of Mechanics’ Institutes in Scotland and England from the 1820s, which were intended to educate and enlighten the working classes. The term ‘mechanic’ in those days meant an artisan, craftsman or working man, especially those who had moved from rural areas to work in new city factories during the Industrial Revolution. The early Institutes were usually equipped with a reading room, a library and a lecture room. Although enjoying mixed success in Britain, they contributed to the development of public education and library services. The movement was adopted more enthusiastically in the colonies. It began slowly in Victoria but its expansion after the gold rushes population influx was rapid, especially in rural areas. Every suburb and town wanted to have a Mechanics’ Institute. During the 1850s approximately forty Institutes were established, with even greater growth in the period 1860 to 1900. By 1900 there were 400 Institutes in Victoria. The establishment of a Mechanics’ Institute was often a great achievement for a local community, requiring organising committees to raise substantial funds for a building site (where this had not been granted by the Government), and the building. Once built, the committee then had to purchase books, provide a caretaker or librarian, and finance the ongoing use of and improvements to the building. ‘The history of many Institutes is a story of tremendous community effort, and often, financial difficulties’. In addition to being monuments to local enterprise and community life, the Mechanics’ Institutes played a vital role as an intellectual forum, and in contributing to an informed and participatory democracy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They provided journals and other reading matter on local, state, national and international issues, and hosted of lectures and held debates about wider issues such as Federation, colonial nationalism, defence, female suffrage, the price of land and labour. With the development of the school and technical education in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the need for community technical and adult education declined. As a result of the introduction of government library grants in 1867, many Mechanics’ Institutes incorporated a free library in their buildings to finance collection of their books. By 1884-85, there were 257 free libraries in Victoria. However, government support and library grants dropped off in the 1890s depression. Entertainment took on a greater role in the 1890s, with the introduction of moving pictures, billiards rooms, games rooms (chess), concerts and dances. The First World War had a devastating impact on many rural communities, and some Mechanics’ Institutes were no longer viable. On the other hand the early twentieth century was also a time of agricultural development, and many country towns were growing in this period. The 1930s depression further limited growth of many libraries and reduced grants substantially. In response many Mechanics’ Institutes were renamed, for example as memorial halls, in order to retain and attract more patrons (eg at nearby Sunbury). The diminishing role for Mechanics’ Institutes and the preference for larger and better appointed halls (with supper rooms, cloak rooms etc) resulted in demolition of some small Institutes. The advent of cars, radios, and television also provided other opportunities for recreation, learning and entertainment. The greater role of municipalities in providing library services also eroded the need for free libraries. While over 500 Mechanics’ Institutes or halls are extant, very few of these retain their original role as ‘diffusers of useful knowledge’. Most are still available for community purposes, as venues for meetings, socials, civic occasions etc, while others are employed as museums, shops and theatres. Most buildings are on Crown land, and managed by a delegated committee of management, who are responsible for raising revenue to maintain aging buildings. Many of those which were originally established on private land, such as Melton, have since reverted back to the Crown, and municipal Councils. The most common Mechanics Institute building form is the simple weatherboard gable building with iron roofs, notable for their ‘honest simplicity’ rather than as ‘monuments of the ancients’. At the other extreme there are some magnificent two storeyed brick and stucco structures with elaborate ornamentation (as was apparently envisaged by some in Melton in 1905-10)". The future of Melton Mechanic Institute Gazette articlelocal architecture

The interviews were recorded in 2000 by Bronwen Gray and Alan Young for the production of Unreserved, Stories from Truganina Explosives Reserve, animated stories from past residents, workers and interested people of the Reserve (subject to copyright 2004). Doug and Noel Grant’s Grandfather, Don Grant, was officer in charge of Truganina Explosives Reserve from 1910-1930. On his retirement, his son, William (known as Bill) took over the position until 1956. Along with their two older brothers and younger sister, Doug and Noel Grant grew up, first in the assistant manager’s weatherboard cottage and then in the brick house which was set aside for the officer in charge, until they married and moved into their own homes in their early 1920s. On returning from the second world war, Noel Grant worked as a magazine assistant of explosives on the site from 1946, When the site had closed down in 1962 he worked as an inspector of explosives at the Explosives Branch in Melbourne until he retired in 1985. During that time Noel was asked to move back on site, meaning that three generations of Grants have lived on the site during the twentieth century. Doug Grant worked for ICI/Nobel in head office in 1940 and their older brother Alan worked at the Nobel Explosive Company in Deer Park from 1937. After returning from the Second World War, Alan bought a transport business that had once had the licence to cart explosives in and around the state. They discuss their memories of the living at Truganina Explosives Reserve and the workings of the Reserve, including the names of men who worked there, ships which carried the explosives and life in and around Altona. A primary source of information on memories of the Truganina Explosives Reserve and Altona,VictoriaDigital copy of original cassette recorded in 2000 and digitised in 2018hobsons bay, altona, galvanised iron fence, picket fence, golf course, altona school, margaret grant, bill grant, explosives magazine, lighters, joe hyde, alex grant, pines scout camp, maribynong river, 1896, inspector of explosives, pier, point wilson, werribee sewerage farm, george grant, lighterman, huia, argonaut, pirie, alma doepel, merton street altona, horse, jessie grant, jean grant, sandal, kilmartin, lewis, currie, todd, robinson, balwyn

The interviews were recorded in 2000 by Bronwen Gray and Alan Young for the production of Unreserved, Stories from Truganina Explosives Reserve, animated stories from past residents, workers and interested people of the Reserve (subject to copyright 2004). Judy Hindle and Andrew Shannon worked jointly on saving the Truganina Explosives Reserve from being sold for development by the State Government. Judy was an Altona resident and Andrew was an environment planner, first with Parks Victoria and then the local council. Their motivation was to not only save the site for open space but to capture what Judy described as the only in-tact historical site in the area. A primary source of information on memories of the Truganina Explosives Reserve and Altona,VictoriaDigital copy of original cassette recorded in 2000 and digitised in 2018chirnside, explosives, tin fence, coastal vegetation, parks victoria, joan kirner, cheetham wetlands, doug grant, gahnia, salt marsh, sand ridges, rob andrew, nessie hardy, aboriginal middens, altona, truganina swamp

State Electricity Commission (SEC) outlined details of a site available for the development of a Tourist Hotel Project in Falls Creek in late 1962/3. SEC estimated that by the winter of 1963 Falls Creek Village would be able to accommodate 500 persons. The site for development was up to 2½ acres adjacent to the Upper Kiewa Valley Road. It envisaged a building able to accommodate about 100 guests. The successful developer would be granted a lease for 45 years at a rent of £300 per annum. Written applications for the lease were to be submitted by 31st March 1963.This item is significant because it documents plans made by the State Electricity Commission to develop the Falls Creek Tourist Area. A folder with a black and white image of skiers outside a hotel on the left. The logo of the State Electricity Commission and text is on the right half of the folder.On right half of cover: Logo of the State Electricity Commission TOURIST HOTEL PROJECT Falls Creek / North East Victoria Forwarded with the compliments of the State Electricity Commission of Victoriafalls creek tourist area, hotel development falls creek, falls creek projects 1963

Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans die on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This item is significant because it documents plans made by the State Electricity Commission to develop the Falls Creek Tourist Area.A letter from the State Electricity Commission (SEC) outlining details of a site available for the development of a Tourist Hotel Project in Falls Creek in late 1962/3. The SEC estimated that by the winter of 1963 Falls Creek Village would be able to accommodate 500 persons. The site for development was up to 2 1/2 acres adjacent to the Upper Kiewa Valley Road. It envisaged a building able to accommodate about 100 guests. The successful developer would be granted a lease for 45 years at a rent of £300 per annum. Written applications for the lease were to be submitted by 31st March 1963.falls creek tourist area management committee, falls creek administration, state electricity commission

The Title for the land on which this building stands was granted on 27 August 1857 and the land was bought by Keith Field and A. Maitland. It stood on 1 / 2 acre of land with 250 lengths down South Street and 200 lengths along Sydney Road. The 1 / 2 acre block on the northern side was also purchased by the same buyers. The State Savings Bank was built in 1915, just three years after the State Savings Bank of Victoria was established. It was branch number 731. The building served as a bank until about 1970. It is now owned and used as an office by a local law firm. It is a single storey rendered masonry building with a parapet concealing the roof. Key features of the High Street facade are horizontal bands of masonry, timber windows outlined with moulded details and ornamentation accentuated the door. A more modern branch was opened in a more central location in HIghs Street. The State Bank of Victoria was taken over by the Commonwealth Bank in 1990. These images record the premises of a bank which served the Wodonga community and businesses for many years.3 photos of the State Bank of Victoria in High Street Wodonga at various points in its history.state bank, wodonga businesses, financial institutions wodonga