One of five group and individual portraits of the Noble family of Kew, two in the rear garden of what is presumed to be ‘Charnwood’, in Station Street, Coburg. The photographs date from the period c.1890-1914. One of the larger framed photographs is a portrait of the entire family group, while another is of two of the children, Frederick and Winifred. The father, Frederick William Noble was a businessman, and, at one period Secretary of the Victorian Creamery & Butter Company in South Melbourne. Later he was to manage J. Bartram & Co., Ice & Cold Storage Department in Flinders Lane. By 1906, the Noble family had moved to Kew, living for almost 20 years at 100 Walpole Street before relocating to 26 Molesworth Street in the mid 1920s. The five photographs in the collection reveal details of family life and social values as expressed through attire. The family is formally costumed in a manner indicative of their social status. Mrs Noble, in one of the large framed portraits, is dressed in a sombre manner in a long, dark-coloured long-sleeved, high-necked gown. It is difficult to know whether she is dressed in mourning wear in this black and white photograph. It was not uncommon for a woman to regularly wear mourning attire due to the high mortality rate in the Victorian era. This situation was compounded for women due to the size of extended families. A woman might rarely be out of mourning due to the death of a parent, a sibling, a husband, a child or a near relative. The portraits of the Noble family children, particularly Frederick and Winifred, show the elaborateness of formal attire worn by the children of wealthy families during the late Victorian era. Winifred is dressed in a long cotton dress and a broad-rimmed hat; both liberally covered in lace. Winifred and Frederick’s lace collars extend to their shoulders. Winifred’s diaries, covering the period 1908-50, are now in the collection of the State Library of Victoria. The most detailed of the diaries is from 1914, just before the outbreak of World War 1, and includes ‘Accounts of my Dancing Evenings - Season 1914’. The diaries were the inspiration for an art exhibition by Jim Pavlidis in 2014. One of the family’s two sons, Frederick, was to work at The Age newspaper for 50 years. His obituary records that “He was regarded as the epitome of accuracy and a fount of knowledge on many subjects, but especially cricket, the Royal Melbourne Show and Gilbert & Sullivan”. With Robert Morgan he compiled Speed the Plough, a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and its role in developing agriculture in Victoria.A series of photographs that depict family life in the period 1890-1914. The family is significant and the children achieved success in a number of fields.Framed large albumen silver photograph of Frederick Harwood Noble and his sister Winifred in the rear garden of the family home in Coburg (sic). Later Label on rear reads ‘F.H. Noble, W.M. Noble’.winifred noble, frederick noble, charnwood (coburg), station street (coburg)

One of five group and individual portraits of the Noble family of Kew, two in the rear garden of what is presumed to be ‘Charnwood’, in Station Street, Coburg. The photographs date from the period c.1890-1914. One of the larger framed photographs is a portrait of the entire family group, while another is of two of the children, Frederick and Winifred. The father, Frederick William Noble was a businessman, and, at one period Secretary of the Victorian Creamery & Butter Company in South Melbourne. Later he was to manage J. Bartram & Co., Ice & Cold Storage Department in Flinders Lane. By 1906, the Noble family had moved to Kew, living for almost 20 years at 100 Walpole Street before relocating to 26 Molesworth Street in the mid 1920s. The five photographs in the collection reveal details of family life and social values as expressed through attire. The family is formally costumed in a manner indicative of their social status. Mrs Noble, in one of the large framed portraits, is dressed in a sombre manner in a long, dark-coloured long-sleeved, high-necked gown. It is difficult to know whether she is dressed in mourning wear in this black and white photograph. It was not uncommon for a woman to regularly wear mourning attire due to the high mortality rate in the Victorian era. This situation was compounded for women due to the size of extended families. A woman might rarely be out of mourning due to the death of a parent, a sibling, a husband, a child or a near relative. The portraits of the Noble family children, particularly Frederick and Winifred, show the elaborateness of formal attire worn by the children of wealthy families during the late Victorian era. Winifred is dressed in a long cotton dress and a broad-rimmed hat; both liberally covered in lace. Winifred and Frederick’s lace collars extend to their shoulders. Winifred’s diaries, covering the period 1908-50, are now in the collection of the State Library of Victoria. The most detailed of the diaries is from 1914, just before the outbreak of World War 1, and includes ‘Accounts of my Dancing Evenings - Season 1914’. The diaries were the inspiration for an art exhibition by Jim Pavlidis in 2014. One of the family’s two sons, Frederick, was to work at The Age newspaper for 50 years. His obituary records that “He was regarded as the epitome of accuracy and a fount of knowledge on many subjects, but especially cricket, the Royal Melbourne Show and Gilbert & Sullivan”. With Robert Morgan he compiled Speed the Plough, a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and its role in developing agriculture in Victoria.A compelling group of family portraits. Members of the family were to achieve important roles as managers, journalists and writers.Framed and gazed albumen silver print of Mr and Frederick Warner Mrs Noble in the garden of their home in Coburg (sic) with their three children. There are minor losses to the gesso and paint of the original frame. Later labels to rear include: "Mr Noble, Mrs Noble’. ‘Frederick, Winifred, Wilfred"noble family, charnwood (coburg), station street (coburg)

One of five group and individual portraits of the Noble family of Kew, two in the rear garden of what is presumed to be ‘Charnwood’, in Station Street, Coburg. The photographs date from the period c.1890-1914. One of the larger framed photographs is a portrait of the entire family group, while another is of two of the children, Frederick and Winifred. The father, Frederick William Noble was a businessman, and, at one period Secretary of the Victorian Creamery & Butter Company in South Melbourne. Later he was to manage J. Bartram & Co., Ice & Cold Storage Department in Flinders Lane. By 1906, the Noble family had moved to Kew, living for almost 20 years at 100 Walpole Street before relocating to 26 Molesworth Street in the mid 1920s. The five photographs in the collection reveal details of family life and social values as expressed through attire. The family is formally costumed in a manner indicative of their social status. Mrs Noble, in one of the large framed portraits, is dressed in a sombre manner in a long, dark-coloured long-sleeved, high-necked gown. It is difficult to know whether she is dressed in mourning wear in this black and white photograph. It was not uncommon for a woman to regularly wear mourning attire due to the high mortality rate in the Victorian era. This situation was compounded for women due to the size of extended families. A woman might rarely be out of mourning due to the death of a parent, a sibling, a husband, a child or a near relative. The portraits of the Noble family children, particularly Frederick and Winifred, show the elaborateness of formal attire worn by the children of wealthy families during the late Victorian era. Winifred is dressed in a long cotton dress and a broad-rimmed hat; both liberally covered in lace. Winifred and Frederick’s lace collars extend to their shoulders. Winifred’s diaries, covering the period 1908-50, are now in the collection of the State Library of Victoria. The most detailed of the diaries is from 1914, just before the outbreak of World War 1, and includes ‘Accounts of my Dancing Evenings - Season 1914’. The diaries were the inspiration for an art exhibition by Jim Pavlidis in 2014. One of the family’s two sons, Frederick, was to work at The Age newspaper for 50 years. His obituary records that “He was regarded as the epitome of accuracy and a fount of knowledge on many subjects, but especially cricket, the Royal Melbourne Show and Gilbert & Sullivan”. With Robert Morgan he compiled Speed the Plough, a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and its role in developing agriculture in Victoria.Framed portrait of Frederick Noble"Frederick Noble". The name "PRENTICE" is handwritten below the label.noble family, frederick noble

One of five group and individual portraits of the Noble family of Kew, two in the rear garden of what is presumed to be ‘Charnwood’, in Station Street, Coburg. The photographs date from the period c.1890-1914. One of the larger framed photographs is a portrait of the entire family group, while another is of two of the children, Frederick and Winifred. The father, Frederick William Noble was a businessman, and, at one period Secretary of the Victorian Creamery & Butter Company in South Melbourne. Later he was to manage J. Bartram & Co., Ice & Cold Storage Department in Flinders Lane. By 1906, the Noble family had moved to Kew, living for almost 20 years at 100 Walpole Street before relocating to 26 Molesworth Street in the mid 1920s. The five photographs in the collection reveal details of family life and social values as expressed through attire. The family is formally costumed in a manner indicative of their social status. Mrs Noble, in one of the large framed portraits, is dressed in a sombre manner in a long, dark-coloured long-sleeved, high-necked gown. It is difficult to know whether she is dressed in mourning wear in this black and white photograph. It was not uncommon for a woman to regularly wear mourning attire due to the high mortality rate in the Victorian era. This situation was compounded for women due to the size of extended families. A woman might rarely be out of mourning due to the death of a parent, a sibling, a husband, a child or a near relative. The portraits of the Noble family children, particularly Frederick and Winifred, show the elaborateness of formal attire worn by the children of wealthy families during the late Victorian era. Winifred is dressed in a long cotton dress and a broad-rimmed hat; both liberally covered in lace. Winifred and Frederick’s lace collars extend to their shoulders. Winifred’s diaries, covering the period 1908-50, are now in the collection of the State Library of Victoria. The most detailed of the diaries is from 1914, just before the outbreak of World War 1, and includes ‘Accounts of my Dancing Evenings - Season 1914’. The diaries were the inspiration for an art exhibition by Jim Pavlidis in 2014. One of the family’s two sons, Frederick, was to work at The Age newspaper for 50 years. His obituary records that “He was regarded as the epitome of accuracy and a fount of knowledge on many subjects, but especially cricket, the Royal Melbourne Show and Gilbert & Sullivan”. With Robert Morgan he compiled Speed the Plough, a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and its role in developing agriculture in Victoria.Framed oval portrait of Mrs P. W. Noble in a carved wooden frame."P. W. Noble" handwritten on label on reverse. noble family

Bodice (Wedding dress), hand and machine stitched. Silk lined with polished cotton. Slim ruched sleeves - ruched at inner and elbow side of sleeve (hand sewn). Elbow edge of ruching forms two ''frilled pleats'' down the sleeve to the wrist. Wrist edge lily pointed and finished with a 9 cm underfill of cotton lace. Top of sleeves have a leg-o-mutton balloon effect panel sewn at the shoulder and the upper arm. This balloon effect hangs down over the sleeves almost to the elbow. Top of sleeve has an embroidered lace frill hanging over armhole. Two silk bows are placed at the shoulders. Stand-up collar,5 cm deep is finished on each side with a pearl and glass beaded bow motif- 6cm in diameter. Hook and eye fasteners down front-metal loops covered with button hole stitch. Bodice boned with thirteen (13) ''bones''. Each pocket finished with a fan pattern stitching. Linen panel, with a diamond shaped weave stitched at each underarm. Front bodice is pleated from shoulders to centre front. Right front laps across left to fasten with a hook on the left shoulder. This panel is heavily beaded with glass beads and sequins. Over panel from right shoulder fastens with hook and eye at left hip line,with the pleated panel circling the waist.Matching skirt 11400.315.F.Davey & Co, Dress & Mantle Makers, View point, Sandhurst Label stitched at inside waistline of bodice.costume, female, wedding dress bodice

High round neckline finished with a 2 cm fine striped silk stand-up collar-(this is now severely damaged). One metal hook fastener at the neckline, but no loop remains, although thwere is some evidence of a hand stitched remnant of a loop. Eight rounded buttons (one missing) are bound with silk thread. Sleeves have a fine rouleau piping at shoulder. They are round in shape at the elbow, and finished with a flounce, which is trimmed with 2.5 cm band of contrasting, finely striped silk and a 5 cm wide silver silk braid, as in 11400.975 and 11400.976. A gathered frill and a band of striped ribbon trim the upper edge of the flounce. The striped ribbon, and silver braid trim the front panels, either side of the button opening, and a band of the striped ribbon and silver braid trim the lower edge of bodice.Bodice and sleeves are lined with cream polished cotton, while the lower front panels, which give a peplum type of effect, are lined with cream silk. Centre back panel has a fabric bow, trimmed with the darker striped fabric, and the silver braid bow is 13 cm wide, plus the 5 cm silver braid. Pleated tails of the bow are part of back bodice. An inside 2cm wide cotton tape, with metal hook, and hand stitched loop, fastens around the waistline. Garment is machine and hand stitched. Buttonholes are hand -stitched.costume, female, gold silk victorian bodice

This dress belonged to Ethel Nina Blundell (1876-1949), having been first made for her mother Jane Blundell (nee Burkitt, 1845-1878). Born in Dublin, Jane married James John Blundell Jr at the Black Street Congregational Church in Brighton on 16 March 1874. The Blundells were a socially prominent Brighton family who played an important role in the development of the area. James' father, publisher and bookseller James John Blundell Sr, served as a Brighton Borough Councillor between 1862 and 1867 when the local government was still in its formative years, including holding the position of Mayor in 1864. He was involved in the foundation of the Brighton Volunteer Rifle Corps and was also a strong supporter of the Brighton Ladies Benevolent Society. The Blundell family were active members of the Brighton Congregational Church and supported the construction of the Black Street church, where James Jr served as a deacon for sixty years, in addition to his work in the Crown Land and Survey Department. The dress is believed to have been made for Jane in 1875 or 1876 during her early pregnancy, likely by a local dressmaker. Jane died in 1878 when Ethel was very young, and Ethel was then raised by her father and paternal grandmother. As she never married, Ethel remained living in the family home of 'Eumana', 164 Church Street, and as an adult she assumed the role of hostess whenever she or her father had guests. On these occasions, she reportedly wore her mother's dress. The family home was sold on James Jr’s death in 1924 and Ethel was living at 52 Black Street Brighton when she died in 1949. In the 1930s, Ethel gifted the dress to a close family friend, Dr Jean Kelly. She told Jean that the garment held precious memories, perhaps due to the connection it provided to the mother she had never known. Jean donated the dress to the Merimbula Old School Museum in NSW in 1987, where it was on display for many years. The Museum donated the dress to Brighton Historical Society in 2023.This is a good example of a late nineteenth century day dress, made from two different patterns of russet brown silk brocade and featuring a lobster tail style bustle. The lack of boning combined with waist and hip measurements indicates it may have been made as a maternity dress. It is lined with beige leaf pattern cotton fabric. The princess line fitted bodice of herringbone pattern brocade has a high round neck with small 'mandarin' style collar and buttons down the front to below the waist where it forms an overskirt which is bordered with a band of coffee bean patterned brocade. The overskirt drops down to hem length at the back but from the centre front it is draped up to the back to a point below the waist level. Here it is sewn to the edge of the lobster tail style bustle which is also bordered by the coffee bean fabric. There is a concealed pocket with the opening under the right edge of the bustle. The buttons on the front of the dress have a decorative circlet of small blue flowers around a russet silk covered dome. The long sleeves are set in and slightly full with a contrasting three pleat band of coffee bean fabric with an ornamental turn back from the pleats sewn just above the wrist. The skirt section of the dress is in four 20 cm bands of alternate fabric patterns with the top and third band of coffee bean pattern slightly gathered and the second and fourth bands of herringbone forming pleated ruffles.1870s, ethel nina blundell, jane blundell, jane burkitt, eumana

This photograph is taken in the bedroom of the man's home in the suburbs of Melbourne. It depicts one of the types of nursing care given by Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Sisters in the community. The Sister is visiting the man's home and is administering an injection which has been ordered by a doctor. Glass syringes were used by the Society until the mid 1960s and were re sterilized for future use. After this time plastic disposable syringes were used.The Trained nurses of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing and to people of many cultures throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care provided was: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. RDNS provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.On the left of this black and white photograph, is a Melbourne District Nursing Society Sister who is standing side-on and leaning slightly forward as she administers an injection into the right upper arm of a gentleman to her right who is sitting up in bed resting against two white covered pillows. The male patient has short dark hair; is wearing glasses, and is looking up at the Sister. He is wearing a thick grey cardigan over a pale colour pyjama top which has dark piping; the lower part of his body is covered by a dark and light coloured check bed cover. The bed has a solid wooden headrest with a bed lamp attached to its upper right. The Sister who is wearing her uniform grey brimmed hat over her dark short hair, is wearing a white gown over her grey uniform, the collar of which is seen. Three fingers of her left hand are holding back the pushed up sleeve of the man's cardigan and she is holding a white swab between her thumb and first finger. She has a glass syringe resting in her right hand with her thumb and forefinger resting against the lower glass and metal section of the syringe; part of the metal needle is seen, the rest is inserted in the mans upper arm. On the far left of the photograph part of a dressing table mirror can be seen.' Rough Proof' Latrobe Studios Ref No. 59134-8melbourne district nursing service, mdns, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns - injection

This photograph depicts a Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS) Sister administering an injection to a gentleman in his own home in the suburbs of Melbourne. The Sister is wearing the MDNS winter grey uniform short sleeve dress and grey wool beret with a central red Maltese cross. Glass syringes were used until the mid 1960s when plastic disposable syringes were then used.The Trained nurses of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), then Melbourne District Nursing Service from 1957, and from 1966 known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing and to people of many cultures throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary. This photograph depicts Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS) Sister Mary Maxwell administering an injection into the left upper arm of Mr Cannestra. On the left of the photograph Mr Cannestra is sitting on the padded arm of his patterned couch; he has his left arm extended. His head, which is bald with some white hair at the side and rear, is turned towards the Sister who is standing on his right. He is wearing a grey shirt and his grey trousers are held up with braces. Sister Maxwell is wearing a white gown over her grey uniform with the collar seen. She is wearing a grey wool beret with central Maltese cross, over her short, dark hair. She is standing beside the patient and her left hand is holding his left arm with his shirt sleeve rolled up to expose his upper arm. She is holding the angled barrel of a glass and metal syringe in her right hand and some of the needle can be seen against Mr. Cannestra's arm. In the background the wall is covered with a striped wallpaper, and to the right part of a long floral curtain can be seen. To the right in the foreground, a round dark tray with jar, small bottle containing the medication for injection, a glass and a white cloth, sit on a small round table with a white and patterned tablecloth.La Trobe Street Studios. Reference number 59134-21melbourne district nursing service, mdns, mdns - injection, royal district nursing service, rdns, sister mary maxwell, mr cannestra

In 1930 the Society were pioneers in opening an Ante-Natal Clinic at the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) After-Care Home, setting a high standard with equipment, keeping records and providing leaflets with instructions in how to keep healthy during pregnancy, what complications to look for, and what to do when labour commenced. This image was taken in the Ante-Natal Clinic and shows some of the equipment used at that time and the uniforms worn by Trained nurses (Sisters) in the 1930s. Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded in 1885 and only nurses who had trained in a Hospital Training School and were fully qualified were employed by the Society. It commenced with one Trained nurse (Nurse), and another employed six months later; both walking amid the slums of inner Melbourne administering nursing care to the sick poor. The Society decided to commence a Midwifery Service and Nurse Fowler, who had previously worked for the Society, was re-employed as their first Trained Midwife. She began home births in August 1893 giving some Ante Natal care, taking midwifery bundles and providing clothes for the babe and mother as needed. Following birth, she gave Post-natal care to the mother and babe twice a day for three days and then daily for a week, and longer if required. She resigned after twelve months and Nurse Wilkie was appointed to the position. As well as walking, the Nurses used Public transport in the limited areas it ran, though a taxi was used by the Nurses and Midwife in emergencies and at night. As the Society expanded it rented premises until it was able to purchase it's own Nurses Home at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood in 1914. The Society were pioneers in recognizing the need for premises where patients too ill to be in their own home, but not ill enough to go to hospital, was needed. Land was procured next to No. 39, and the Society built the After-Care Home at 45 Victoria Parade, for these patients, and for patients from Hospitals. It was opened in July 1926 and the name of the Society then became ‘Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Home’ (‘Hospital’ from 1934) The Ante-Natal Clinic at the Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home was opened on the 23rd of September 1930 and MDNS Midwifery patients were encouraged to attend. Prior to the opening of the clinic Ante-natal care was not considered important, but within a short time 100 percent of MDNS Midwifery patients were attending. During 1934 the Women’s Welfare Clinic, including at the time a very controversial Family Planning Clinic, the first of its kind in Australia, was opened to support women at risk following multiple and difficult pregnancies. The Clinic gave advice on birth-control and was attended by their own patients at first, but then accepted patients from Melbourne public hospitals until their own clinics were opened.Digital image showing a Doctor and three Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Sisters attending a patient in the Ante-Natal Clinic at the After Care Hospital. In the forefront is a set of scales standing on the floor, behind which is the lady lying on a wooden framed bed with the base slightly raised at the top end supporting a white pillow and the lady's head. The lady has short dark hair and her frock can be seen to her waist; the rest of her body is covered by a white sheet and dark coloured blanket. Behind her and to the right of the image, are two Sisters wearing dark coloured long sleeved uniforms which have a belt and white collar; they are both wearing white veils over their short dart hair. To their left is a Doctor who has short dart wavy hair and is looking down at the lady. He is wearing a long white gown and has a stethoscope in his ears with the other end held in his right hand. To his left is another Sister who is wearing a white veil over her dark curled hair, and is wearing a long white gown. In the rear between the Doctor and Sister a hand basin can be seen. On the far left of the picture a trolley with two cloth covered shelves can be seen; a basin and squat bottle sits on the top shelf and kidney dish on the lower one. Behind this, part of a window can be seen.after- care hospital, 45 victoria parade collingwood, melbourne district nursing society (1885-1957), ante-natal clinic, after-care home, mdns midwifery, rdns, royal district nursing service

Depicted are 14 students comprising the the 1952 Ruyton Girls' School hockey team. The photograph is an official school portrait taken outdoors on a patch of grass with a leafy bush visible in the background. The students are all dressed in light coloured shorts with a collared, buttoned blouse, wool blazers, white socks and white sneakers. Six girls are kneeling in the front row, and eight are standing up in the back row. All of the students are holding their own hockey stick. The idea of field hockey for female players was brought to Victoria by two sisters, Lillian and Margaret Irving, who had first seen girls playing it during their travels in England in 1902. By 1903, the Irving sisters were joint headmistresses of Lauriston, a school they had founded two years earlier. Both had deep connections to Ruyton Girls' School through their time as teachers at the older school during the 1880s-1890s. For Lilian Irving, this had included seven years as Ruyton's co-Principal with Miss Eliza Bromby from 1888-1895. With these links it was only natural that Ruyton students would join Lauriston to try out the new game. On a vacant block on the corner of Mercer and Malvern Roads, students from Ruyton and Lauriston Girls' Schools had assembled to play Victoria’s first ever inter-school hockey match for girls. Some students from Melbourne Girls' Grammar School came along to watch the spectacle and assess the new game's potential. Hockey quickly caught on, and friendly games were soon being played amongst a number of Melbourne's girls' schools. An Association was formed in 1905, and the rules formalised. These included arrangements around the competition fixture and the length of games (35 minutes for each half). In celebration of their joint role in bringing field hockey to Victorian school girls, Ruyton and Lauriston have met for friendly re-enactment matches in 2003 and 2018. The photograph also illustrates the shift in hockey uniform and apparatus. In the early 1920s, Ruyton established instructions for playing attire: "skirts must be eight inches off the ground. No white petticoats...", and importantly, least any team get an unfair advantage, "hard-rimmed hats and hatpins must not be worn during play." Ruyton appears to have taken the latter instruction to heart, and adopted the soft tam o’shanter hat as seen in surviving photographs of early teams. The tam o’shanter may have been removed for play, but the blouse and long skirt had to be put up with. According to Lilian Irving they had "a horrid habit of parting company", and she was delighted to see the transition to a more comfortable tunic in later years. Another change she observed was the hockey stick itself, which originally were all of "uniform thickness from handle to head, about the thickness of a stout walking stick" and so very different from the hockey sticks that are used today.The record has strong historic significance as it depicts a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole), pictured third from the right in the front row. Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Black and white rectangular photographs printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: gton / Margaret Hanesho (?) / Helen Gordon / 1952 / Mary Macpherson-Smith /ruyton girls' school, kew, victoria, tennis, sport, women's sport, students, school, 1950s, uniform, lauriston, hockey, field hockey, hockey stick

Depicted are 13 students comprising the the 1950 Ruyton Girls' School hockey team. The photograph is an official school portrait taken outdoors on a patch of grass with a leafy bush visible in the background. The students are all dressed in light coloured shorts with a collared, buttoned blouse, wool blazers, white socks and white sneakers. Five girls are kneeling in the front row, and seven are standing up in the back row. All of the students are holding their own hockey stick. The idea of field hockey for female players was brought to Victoria by two sisters, Lillian and Margaret Irving, who had first seen girls playing it during their travels in England in 1902. By 1903, the Irving sisters were joint headmistresses of Lauriston, a school they had founded two years earlier. Both had deep connections to Ruyton Girls' School through their time as teachers at the older school during the 1880s-1890s. For Lilian Irving, this had included seven years as Ruyton's co-Principal with Miss Eliza Bromby from 1888-1895. With these links it was only natural that Ruyton students would join Lauriston to try out the new game. On a vacant block on the corner of Mercer and Malvern Roads, students from Ruyton and Lauriston Girls' Schools had assembled to play Victoria’s first ever inter-school hockey match for girls. Some students from Melbourne Girls' Grammar School came along to watch the spectacle and assess the new game's potential. Hockey quickly caught on, and friendly games were soon being played amongst a number of Melbourne's girls' schools. An Association was formed in 1905, and the rules formalised. These included arrangements around the competition fixture and the length of games (35 minutes for each half). In celebration of their joint role in bringing field hockey to Victorian school girls, Ruyton and Lauriston have met for friendly re-enactment matches in 2003 and 2018. The photograph also illustrates the shift in hockey uniform and apparatus. In the early 1920s, Ruyton established instructions for playing attire: "skirts must be eight inches off the ground. No white petticoats...", and importantly, least any team get an unfair advantage, "hard-rimmed hats and hatpins must not be worn during play." Ruyton appears to have taken the latter instruction to heart, and adopted the soft tam o’shanter hat as seen in surviving photographs of early teams. The tam o’shanter may have been removed for play, but the blouse and long skirt had to be put up with. According to Lilian Irving they had "a horrid habit of parting company", and she was delighted to see the transition to a more comfortable tunic in later years. Another change she observed was the hockey stick itself, which originally were all of "uniform thickness from handle to head, about the thickness of a stout walking stick" and so very different from the hockey sticks that are used today.The record has strong historic significance as it depicts a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole), pictured third from the right in the front row. Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Black and white rectangular photographs printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: Ruyton Hockey Team 1950. / 17 Cole / From left to right standing. / Helen Cole. / Left to right kneeling. /ruyton girls' school, kew, victoria, tennis, sport, women's sport, students, school, 1950s, uniform, lauriston, hockey, field hockey, hockey stick

The photograph depicts 12 young women students who were part of the 1951 Ruyton Girls' School hockey team. The students are all dressed in light coloured shorts with a collared, buttoned blouse, wool blazers, white socks and white sneakers. Three girls are kneeling in the front row, and nine are standing up in the back row. All of the students are holding their own hockey stick. The photograph was taken on School grounds, next to a pond which is no longer in existence at Ruyton. The idea of field hockey for female players was brought to Victoria by two sisters, Lillian and Margaret Irving, who had first seen girls playing it during their travels in England in 1902. By 1903, the Irving sisters were joint headmistresses of Lauriston, a school they had founded two years earlier. Both had deep connections to Ruyton Girls' School through their time as teachers at the older school during the 1880s-1890s. For Lilian Irving, this had included seven years as Ruyton's co-Principal with Miss Eliza Bromby from 1888-1895. With these links it was only natural that Ruyton students would join Lauriston to try out the new game. On a vacant block on the corner of Mercer and Malvern Roads, students from Ruyton and Lauriston Girls' Schools had assembled to play Victoria’s first ever inter-school hockey match for girls. Some students from Melbourne Girls' Grammar School came along to watch the spectacle and assess the new game's potential. Hockey quickly caught on, and friendly games were soon being played amongst a number of Melbourne's girls' schools. An Association was formed in 1905, and the rules formalised. These included arrangements around the competition fixture and the length of games (35 minutes for each half). In celebration of their joint role in bringing field hockey to Victorian school girls, Ruyton and Lauriston have met for friendly re-enactment matches in 2003 and 2018. The photograph also illustrates the shift in hockey uniform and apparatus. In the early 1920s, Ruyton established instructions for playing attire: "skirts must be eight inches off the ground. No white petticoats...", and importantly, least any team get an unfair advantage, "hard-rimmed hats and hatpins must not be worn during play." Ruyton appears to have taken the latter instruction to heart, and adopted the soft tam o’shanter hat as seen in surviving photographs of early teams. The tam o’shanter may have been removed for play, but the blouse and long skirt had to be put up with. According to Lilian Irving they had "a horrid habit of parting company", and she was delighted to see the transition to a more comfortable tunic in later years. Another change she observed was the hockey stick itself, which originally were all of "uniform thickness from handle to head, about the thickness of a stout walking stick" and so very different from the hockey sticks that are used today.The record has strong historic significance as it depicts a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole), pictured third from the right in the front row. Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: Felicity Jacobs / Ann Dickinson / RGS011/1951/0002 /ruyton girls' school, ruyton, hockey, sport, school sport, field hockey, kew, melbourne, girls school, students, school uniform

Framed portrait of Tilly Aston who began the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, a forerunner to the Association for the Blind. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Tilly sits with one hand resting against a table, and the other in her lap. She is wearing a black collared dress with a white lace neck ruff held with an opal pin. Two medals (the Jubilee medal and Coronation medal) are pinned to the chest, each consisting of a red and white bowtie with a brass medallion. Tilly Aston was born in Carisbrook, Victoria, in 1873. When she was very young her parents noticed she was having problems with her vision. They took her to a doctor who diagnosed her with no sight in her right eye and the prognosis of loss of vision in the left eye. As a result of this she was totally blind by the age of 7. Despite this her parents endeavoured to give Tilly as many of life’s advantages that their limited means could supply. From an early age she was taught singing, music, poetry, arithmetic, encouraged to read and observe the natural world around her and be independent. At the age of 8 she was sent to the Asylum and School for the Blind (later called the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind). She excelled in a wide range of subjects and matriculated in 1889. With the help of a public fund was able to attend Melbourne University, being the first blind Australian to do so. Unfortunately the lack of Braille text books made it impossible for Tilly to continue her studies and she left in second year. Tilly was determined that other blind people would not have the same negative experience she had had. In 1894 she organised a meeting to form the Victorian Association of Braille Writers with the aim of producing and supplying Braille to blind Victorians. Braille was produced by trained volunteers with ? recruited in the first six month. Other rights and services for blind people remained very limited. In 1895 Tilly organised a meeting, which formed the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia). The Association was instrumental in obtaining many benefits for blind people including a blind pension, voting rights and transport concessions. It also established the first nursing homes for blind people, at a time when many blind people were homeless and destitute. Tilly went on to be Australia’s first blind teacher. She was also a very talented musician, author of seven books and was very gifted at arts and crafts. She knew Esperanto and corresponded with people all around the world including Helen Keller. Tilly passed away on November 1st 1947. Her legacy continues through the work Vision Australia which provides services for thousands of blind Australians. A memorial bell dedicated to her is also situated in the King Domain Gardens. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Miss Matilda (Tilly) A. Aston / President 1904, 1910, 1943 to 1947/ Association for Advancement of the Blind'. association for the advancement of the blind, association for the blind, tilly aston

Each Ward in the Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Hospital, at 45 Victoria Parade, Collingwood, had a Sun Room which was well lit by its many windows. This digital image is taken in one of the Sun Rooms and shows the type of hospital beds, furniture and the uniforms worn by Sisters and nurses in the 1930s.Melbourne District Nursing society opened the After-Care Home, situated at 39 Victoria Parade Collingwood in 1926 following a public appeal for funds. The name changed from 'Home' to 'Hospital' in 1934. The After-Care Home was originally established to provide nurse-managed convalescent care to poor and underprivileged people who could not look after themselves at home due to illness or on release from hospital. Opening in 1926, at a cost of £27,000, the home included maternity, children’s and adult wards as well as accommodation for Matron, twelve nurses and four domestic staff. In 1930 an ante-natal clinic was opened at the home. During 1934 the Women’s Welfare Clinic including, at the time, a very controversial Family Planning Clinic, the first of its kind in Australia, was opened to support women at risk following multiple and difficult pregnancies. Major extensions occurred in 1936. Each Ward in the After-Care Hospital at 45 Victoria Parade, Collingwood, had a Sun Room which was well lit by its many windows. Several donors gave money to furnish some of the Wards. Following Government intervention, the After-Care Hospital was separated from the Melbourne District Nursing Society in 1957. The District division of Melbourne District Nursing Society became the Melbourne District Nursing Service and moved to 452 St Kilda Road; later, in 1966, with Royal patronage this became Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). The After-care hospital continued to operate at the same address in Collingwood until 1985 when it became the Melbourne Geriatric Centre. This digital Image shows six men patients and nursing staff in a Sun Room in the Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Hospital. In the left foreground is a low bedside cupboard, beside it is a man with short dark hair lying in an iron framed hospital bed with a white cover pulled up to his shoulders. A Sister, who is looking at the camera, is wearing a grey uniform with a white collar, and a white veil over her short dark hair; she is standing behind, and at the head of the bed with her right hand holding the vertical bar of the bed frame. Behind her is an open door and then a nurse wearing a long white apron over her grey long sleeved uniform; she has a white cap over her shoulder length dark hair and is looking at the camera. Both of her hands are resting on an empty cane chair. Next along is a man with a bandage wrapped around his head and over his left eye. He is wearing dark clothing and is sitting on a padded cane chair, as are the rest of the men in the room. To the rear, in front of four long windows, are another two men, one on the left has short white hair and is wearing light clothing, and to his right is a man with short dark hair and is wearing a dark dressing gown over light colour pyjamas. On his right is a large vase of flowers on a tall white stand. On the right hand side of the photograph are another two men with short dark hair and wearing dressing gowns; part of a wall with windows can be seen behind them.mdns, after- care hospital, melbourne district nursing society, rdns, royal district nursing service

The 'Melbourne District Nursing Society After Care Home' was built by MDNS in 1926 and the name changed from 'Care' to 'Hospital' in 1934. It was located at 45 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. This photograph is taken three years after Miss Dorothy Tupper was appointed Matron of the District Nursing Division of the Society in 1941. The Sisters in this Division worked in the community giving nursing care to people in their own homes.From its foundation in 1885 the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS, were instrumental in giving care to their patients, and to assist them if they had financial problems or resided in poor living conditions. Miss Dorothy Tupper, who as a Trained nurse, had undertaken a course in hospital housekeeping at London Prince of Wales Hospital, was contacted by MDNS in 1939 and, possessing both business and humanitarian qualities, was asked to organize their newly established Social Service Department. As the MDNS Social Service Sister, she assessed the living conditions in patient's homes. She continued in this role until being appointed Matron of the Society's District Nursing division in 1941. Matron Dorothy Tupper announced her retirement in December 1962. As Matron for 22 years she played a major role in the employment and management of an ever increasing nursing workforce as well as help oversee the expansion of the service. Matron Tupper was known for her keen sense of duty, her high professional standards and never-failing concern for patients. The photograph was taken by Sun Newspaper photographer and appeared in an article about the MDNS in September 1944Black and white photograph showing Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Matron, Dorothy Tupper, standing side on, and to the left, of three District Trained nurses (Sisters) who are seated in the grounds of the After-Care Hospital. Matron Tupper is wearing a light coloured uniform which has a belt and a centre box pleat on the lower part of the skirt; a grey brimmed hat with a darker grey hat band sits over her short dark hair. She is looking down at the first Sister on the seat who is looking up at her. The Sisters at either end of the seat are wearing dark grey double breasted coats with lapels; the collars of their light colour uniforms can be seen. Both are wearing grey brimmed hats over their short dark hair. The Sister at the far end is wearing glasses and the Sister near Matron Tupper is holding a book. The centre Sister has shoulder length dark hair and is wearing a light coloured long sleeve uniform. She is also holding a book. Both these Sisters are looking toward Matron Tupper. The seat is made of wood and is against the concrete veranda of the building behind. Scrolled metal lace work is directly behind them with a round thin concrete post to the left of Matron Tupper and the other end of the lace work is fixed to the concrete square corner columns. One turns to the right and the concrete wall of the veranda attached can be seen running in front of part of the brick wall of the building.after- care hospital, melbourne district nursing society, mdns, nurses, matron, mdns social service department, rdns, royal district nursing service, matron dorothy tupper

This photograph is taken in the Physiotherapy Department at Mount Royal Rehabilitation Hospital. The Physiotherapist is giving an Education session to RDNS Sisters. The Sisters are wearing the RDNS winter uniform, which was a blue/grey herringbone winter material V neck tunic style frock over a blue/grey skivvie. Sr. Peter is wearing the uniform beret style hat which was made of the herringbone winter material. Education was an integral part of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885, later, in 1966, called Royal 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) who trained 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 their Trained nurses (Sisters) receiving In-service education. Sr. Pat (Paddy) Rowley was a leader in this In-service Education and established the MDNS, later called 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. Many programs were run at RDNS, 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 clients at home, and to Mount Royal Hospital to observe the care of clients 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 did a Post Basic Course 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 Registered Nurses. Black and white photograph showing Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sisters observing in a Physiotherapy Department. Left to right - Sisters Judy Peter, who is wearing her uniform beret over her light coloured curly hair, and kneeling and leaning over, with her right hand resting on a white pillow which is on a large thick mat. Next is Sr. Sue Revill, who has dark shoulder length curled hair and is kneeling behind a lady who is lying on her left side on a the mat which is on the floor. She has her head on a white pillow and facing frontward. She has light coloured curled hair and is wearing a dark grey long sleeve top. Next is the Physiotherapist, who has long dark hair drawn back in a pony tail and is wearing a dark cardigan over a white blouse and grey frock. She is kneeling on the mat with her hands on the lady's side. Sister Helen Watt, who has collar length curled hair is kneeling to her right and is holding the lady's outstretched right arm and hand and looking toward the Physiotherapist. The Sisters are wearing the RDNS uniform of a light grey skivvie under a V neck tunic style dress with the RDNS insignia on the upper left. In the background are some some vertical bars attached to the wall and part of a pillow can be seen in front of these on the large mat. On the right of the photograph is a heater and above this windows are seen. Photographer stamp. Quote No. KY 82royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns education, sister judy peter, sister sue revill, sister helen watt

Sister Gawith is a Nurse Educator with Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) and she is instructing a group of RDNS Sisters during an Advanced Post Basic Course being held in a room in the Education Department at RDNS. Most of the Sisters are wearing the RDNS winter uniform, which at that time was a V neck tunic style dress made of blue/grey herringbone winter material, over a blue/grey skivvie. Sr. Moore is wearing the summer uniform of a royal blue V neck tunic style dress worn over a short sleeve white blouse and a dark blue cardigan.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 graduated from the College of Nursing in Community Health, 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 did a Post Basic Course 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. The black and white photograph depicts a group of eight Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters (Sr) seated and looking at, and some writing in, white paged books on tables in front of them. Seated in a semi-circle are. L - R: a Sister who is wearing glasses and has her dark shoulder length hair drawn back, then Sisters: Yvonne Laird, who has collar length dark hair, Anne Greenwood, who wears glasses and has short dark curled hair, a Sr with her long hair drawn back, then Sue Moore with shoulder length dark hair and wearing a dark V neck tunic style frock over a white blouse, and a dark cardigan. The next Sister, with dark hair, is partly hidden and next to her is Ethel Fullerton. who wears glasses and has curly hair. She is sitting with a pen in her right hand poised over white book. Sr. Mary Gawith, who has short dark curled hair, is standing in front of and slightly to the right of her. She is looking down at Sr. Fullerton and is holding an open book with the end of the spine resting on her table and showing the open pages to Sr. Fullerton. Sr. Judy Peter, who has her blonde hair drawn back, is sitting side-on in the centre foreground of the photograph with her arms resting on the other side of Sr. Fullerton's table. Most Sisters are wearing the RDNS winter uniform, of a V neck grey tunic style dress over a light grey skivvie. Photographer Stamp. Quote No. MA 22royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns education, sister mary gawith, sister yvonne laird, sister ethel fullerton, sister anne greenwood, sister sue moore (nee revill)

Beautiful soft cream silk dress, with a random silk embroidered three petal flower over the fabric. Round neckline with overlaid square yoke of embroidered lace on a net background. Two 7cm wide bands of the lace are gathered over the shoulder armhole edge. These frills, and the scalloped edges of the front and back lace yoke are trimmed with 4 cm long decorative silk tassels.(one missing). Long sleeves, tapered in at the wrist are trimmed at the wrist with a 4.5cm wide band of lace, part of which is threadedwith two rows ofsoft pink silk ribbon insertion. Soft pink silk, folded into three 2.5cm tucks-overall width 6cm trim the high waistline, with a 7cm diameter rosette at the left front, and a bow(?), and tails, trimming the back waistline. This is severely damaged. Four metal hook and loops fasten the back lace collar, and nine metal hooks and eyes fasten the bodice. Bodice and sleeves are fully lined. Bodice is boned with thirteen 12-4 cm long ''bones''. Skirt is in two tiers; Top is 38cm deep, and made from the plain embroidered silk. A 5cm deep band of lace, with scalloped edges then joins the 36 cm deep ;lower panel of beautifully embroidery and pulled threadwork. Hem is faced, and finished or hemmed with french knots. Dress , which is hand stitched is fully lined with cotton. The lower 36 cm deep tier of the underskirt is trimmed with three .5cm tucks, and two 8cm bands of cutwork lace in a floral and geometric pattern. An oval shaped pocket is sewn into the front of the ''petticoat'' lining. This pocket contained some plant material, included in attached bag.costume, children's, cream embroidered silk and lace dress

Silk, satin, fully lined with silk (?). Eleven bones, ranging in length from 10 - 12 cm long, taper the bodice to the waistline. 15cm wide panels of beaded net come from the high back waistband, over the shoulder to the front waistband. These are loose panels with linear beading, and more decorative beading over the shoulders. Centre front panel has a net overlay, sheer above the bustline to the throat, with a 16cm high net stand-up, mandarin collar, edged in lace, and outlined at the throat with a row of tiny jet beads. Cotton perspiration pads under the arms.A beaded '' butterfly'' shape sits over the bustline where the sheer lace panel begins. Below the beaded motif, five roulet knotted and loops fasten into the finest of metal loops to close the bodice. Silk ''over -sleeves'' also have three roulet looped decorations at each edge. Below the elbow length ''over sleeves'', a double layer of net sleeves-the top layer finished with seven rows of tiny jet beads, the lower wrist length net sleeve, finished wit one row of tiny jet beads, and a two cm net fill. Beading and an embroidered ribbon flower trim the back centre net panel, and a roulet looped trim, sits at the centre back waistline. An extension of the beaded over -the-shoulder panels falls in a rectangular shape 38cm X 23cm. The front extension of the ''over the shoulder'' beaded net, falls in two oval shapes - one either side of opening 24cms long. A 4.5cm band of three pleated silk encircles the waistline.Waterfield, 14 Gleghow Terrace, South Kensington. ( Label on tape fastens around waistline).costume, female, black silk satin beaded bodice

B&W photo of the Johns family of Selby. Photo appears to date from c. 1930s. They are outside, with a hedge directly behind them. L-r, Martha Johns, a young woman sitting in a wooden chair. She is wearing a floral summer dress with a dark bow at the neckline. Martha was born in 1916. A young man, William David (Dave) Johns, stands, wearing a three-piece suit and tie. His left hand rests on the back of the chair of the next woman. This older woman, Alice, sits at a small table and has her left hand resting on an open book. She wears a dark skirt, light patterned blouse, and dark cardigan flecked with a lighter colour. She is wearing a necklace and she has round-framed glasses. Another young man, Ernest Johns, stands to her right. He is also dressed in three-piece suit and tie. He has his right hand placed on his right hip. A young woman, Florence Johns, sits in a wicker chair. She is wearing a dark outfit with a pale collar. Her hair is parted on the side and braided into two plaits. An older man, William John Johns, sits in a wooden chair. He is wearing a three-piece suit and tie. His waistcoat buttons up high on his chest, more of an old style suit than the two young men. He has grey hair and a moustache. All members of the group are smiling slightly. The photo was taken at the family farm, Hillandale, in Selby. Information provided by Lyn Kershaw, daughter of Dave Johns.

This photograph shows Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained Nurses (known as 'Nurse' in those days) attending to a family in the early 1900s. It also shows their uniform which had a red Maltese cross in the centre of the pith helmet. The bicycle seen is the first mode of transport purchased by MDNS in 1903. The Nurse's bag is seen strapped to the handles of the bicycle. In February 1885, 50 years after Melbourne was founded, it was recognized that nursing care was needed for the sick poor in inner Melbourne. The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), the first District Nursing Society in Australia, was founded and the decision was made to only employ fully qualified nurses who had trained in a Hospital. In those days they were known as 'Nurse'. One Trained nurse, was employed in March, and a second employed six months later. They worked in the now CBD, ie from Spencer Street to Spring Street and from Victoria Parade to Flinders Street. From its inception the Society was at the forefront of health care and only attended patients seen by a Doctor. They provided high quality nursing care; educated their patients in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of cleanliness, ventilation and good nutrition, both by verbal instruction and demonstration, even supplying soup and milk when needed. At that time they walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of inner Melbourne carrying their nursing bag containing lotion, ointments, powders, liniment, bandages, dressings, a case of spirits, and the Nurse's own clean apron, soap and small towel. They supplied equipment on loan, such as earthenware hot water bottles, splints, urinals, bed pans, bed cradles, feeding mugs, and air-cushions as well as providing blankets and clean bed linen, and nightdresses as necessary. Trained midwives began home births in late 1893 taking midwifery bundles and providing clothes for the babe and mother as needed. This was arduous work, particularly in the heat of summer. Permission to use bicycles was given to the Nurses in 1898 and the Society decided to purchase their own in 1903. A business man offered ‘new free wheel’ bicycles at £13 each which included maintenance for one year. Bells and wooden frames were added, at a cost of £5 per frame, so the Nurses could carry extra equipment. Nurses’ bags were strapped to the handlebars. Soup was made for those in need 2-3 times a week and if patients could not arrange to have it collected the soup was delivered by the Nurses on their bicycles. The use of bicycles caused a change in uniform, with white pith helmets, and veils covering them and tied under their chin, now being used. Over the years the Nurses complained their veils became wet in the rain and asked for a change of uniform but this did not occur until 1921. Bicycles continued to be used in inner areas until 1945. The Nurses provided high quality nursing care to a range of people often in destitute situations, some lying on rags on the floor as they had no bed, others with just a bed and maybe a thin blanket, a chair and nothing else. Their ages ranged from babes, children, adults to the elderly. The Nurses gave medications as ordered by a Doctor, dressed wounds e.g. to the injured, and surgical cases, and to those with leg ulcers; attended to patients with ‘surgical ailments’ such as ‘hip disease’; gave care to those with acute illnesses such as bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, measles, and scarlet fever, as well as those with chronic illnesses such as consumption (tuberculosis), heart disease, arthritis, cancer, debility, neuritis and paralysis. The Nurses liaised with the person's Doctor. They educated their patients, and their Carers, in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of hygiene, cleanliness, ventilation and good nutrition. They taught them, by verbal instruction and demonstration, how to make poultices, to make and apply bandages, apply medical appliances such as splints; and the Nurses supplied milk, beef tea and cooked soup when needed. As the work increased a third Nurse was employed but this was arduous work, particularly in the heat of summer and many Nurses only remained with the Society for several months. Black and white photograph of two Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses, 'Nurse', wearing their full length grey uniforms, with white collar, cuffs and belt, and white pith helmets with a Maltese cross applied. One Nurse is standing and holding her bicycle, while the other is kneeling and holding a small child. They are in the garden behind a horizontal weatherboard house. A man dressed in dark clothes is also kneeling beside the child. There is a child, dressed in white, in the doorway of the home, and a lady, dressed in a full length black dress and a white apron, is standing in front of the wooden fence in the garden. The bicycle has two large wire spoked wheels at either end of the black V shape bicycle frame; a rubber tyre runs around the outside of each wheel. The metal handlebars are a horizontal configuration and are attached with a central column into a black vertical column at the front of the V shape bicycle frame which has ‘fork shaped’ thin metal pierces running down either side of the wheel attaching the frame to the central hub of the wheel. The rear wheel is attached the same way to a central column at the rear of the frame which runs up to V shape solid seat. At the bottom of the V of the frame a pedal is attached with a rotating arm on either side of the bicycle and on the right side the rotating arm is attached to a sprocket which has a chain running around it back to a smaller sprocket on the hub of the back wheel. The chain has a thin metal guard over it. There are narrow thin metal mud guards running a short distance above the top of each wheel.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns uniforms, mdns transport, rdns, royal district nursing service

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

Photocopy of 54 data sheets published by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company of East Pittsburgh Pa, USA c1920. Consists of plastic cover, header page with Westinghouse logo, contents sheets (2 pages), forward, 67 pages (single side photocopy) and heavy rear card cover bound with a green comb binder. Original material lent by Craig Tooke of the Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association at Haddon. Photocopied by Warren Doubleday March 2000. List of contents produced 30/6/2000 and then bound. Contains data sheets regarding motors, commutators, brushes, armatures, bearings, field coils, pinions, lubrication, air piping, axle collars, resistance grids, gear cases and other technical information. Westinghouse Railway Operating Data 30/6/2000 List of Contents Page No. Care and repair of commutators 1 Undercutting commutators 2 Railway Motor carbon brushes 3 Brush holders 4 Flashing of railway motors 5 Soldering railway armatures 6 Armature Winding 7 Banding armatures 8 Railway Motor Bearings 9 Lubrication of railway motor bearings 10 How to babbitt motor bearings 11 Oil, grease and waster for motors and gears 12 Saturation of motor bearing waste 13 Testing Polarity of Field Coils 14 Charging of storage batteries on Interurban & street rail cars 15 Precautions to be taken with blower installations on motor cars 16 Putting on Railway Motor Pinions 17 How to take armatures out of box frame motors 18 Dipping and Baking of Railway Motors 19 War time dipping and baking outfits 20 Dipping and baking railway motors will decrease troubles 21 Protection of Motor Bearings from Dust 25 Winter Operation of Railway Motor equipments 26 Installation of Air piping to prevent freezing 27 Maintenance of Traction Brake Equipment 28 Maintenance of controller fingers and contacts 29 Hand operated circuit breakers 30 Railway Motor Testing I 31 Railway Motor Testing II 33 Railway Motor Testing III 35 Railway Motor Testing IV 36 Railway Motor Testing V 37 Removing and replacing railway motor armature shaft 39 Mounting and Maintenance of car resistors 40 Lubrication of control apparatus 41 Maintenance of fuse boxes for railway service 42 Does it pay to dip and bake armatures 43 Dipping and Baking as a financial asset 44 Shop Organisation 45 Tinning Malleable Iron Bearing shells 46 Life of armature bearings or railway motors 47 The assembly of complete sets of commutator segments 48 Electric welding as a factor in reclamation 50 Metal to Metal press, shrink and clamping fit allowances 52 Life of railway motor carbon brushes 54 General information of grid resistance design for the operating man 56 Stopping a car by braking with the motors 57 Railway Motor shafts and their maintenance 58 Axle collars 59 Gear cases 60 Ventilated railway motors 62 Revamping Loose armature bearings 64 Life of axle bearings of railway motors 65 Heat-treated bolts for railway service 66 Document imaged over 7 parts 7-9-2016 - see hi res files. trams, tramways, westinghouse, motors, data sheets, technical information

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots.The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century.Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". Tatting looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. A shuttle is a small tool that looks like a small boat "sailing" in and out of the thread. Tatting is called "schiffchenarbeit" in German, which means "the work of a little boat". There are two popular types of shuttles. The first has closed ends and a removable bobbin where the thread is wound around - often made from metal or plastic (as is item 8535.1). The second type has a post in the center where the thread is wound (e.g. item 8535.2). The ends of this bobbin are open but snug. Because it is constructed in two pieces, it can be made from materials like bone, ivory or mother of pearl. Shuttles hold a larger amount of thread (as compared with needles) which means fewer ends to weave in. Fishermen in the past are thought to have used large shuttles to weave cord into certain knots whilst making their fishing nets. Their methods were copied by weavers, who innovated by using threads and smaller shuttles to make lace. One type of tatting shuttle produced by "Aero" from the 1930's to the late 1960's was an anodized grey coated aluminium shuttle with a sharp pick at one end. In the 1970's it was superseded by the grey plastic "Aero" which has a removeable bobbin which you can put on the end of the shuttle to make thread winding easier and an embedded crochet hook for joining picots. The "Aero" company developed in Redditch, England - a town renowned as a centre for manufacturing needles. Firms run by Henry Milward and Abel Morrall were based in Redditch and by the 18th century Redditch was manufacturing one million sewing needles per year. Abel Morrall Ltd launched the "Aero" brand in 1936 and greatly expanded the firm's product line to include tatting shuttles and knitting needles. The classic plastic "Aero" tatting shuttle was manufactured in England from the early 1970's until the 1990's. These items are significant as examples of easily accessible handiwork tools that enabled women in the 1930s -1960s to be able to decorate and personalize their household linen and clothing.Shuttle no. 8535.1 is a beige, boat shaped plastic shuttle with enclosed ends, small round central indentations on both sides and an enclosed black removeable bobbin. The shuttle has a grooved point at one end to hold a bobbin and a small metal crochet hook at the other end. Shuttle no. 8535.2 is a beige, boat shaped metal shuttle with pointed ends that are open but snug, small round central indentations and two smaller circular markings (on both sides) and two internal posts with cream thread wound around.Shuttle no. 8535.1 - "AERO" / "ENGLAND" Shuttle no. 8535.2 - "AERO' / "ENGLAND" "39c" (written in ball point pen)flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, tatting shuttle, aero company, handwork, handwork tool, craft, handcraft, needlework, tatting

Worn by Jessie Allan for her marriage to William Thomas Kenny on 13 May 1945 at St Stephens Church, Richmond. They lived in 19 Baldwin Road, Blackburn from 1965. Jessie deceased 1.4.2010. Funeral at St Alfred's Anglican Church, Blackburn South.1945 Cream satin wedding dress with a rouched bodice to a centre panel, high neckline and pointed collar. Bead work on centre panel and edge of bodice, long sleeves to a pointed wrist and beading. Thirty covered buttons down centre back. Skirt cut on cross and three metre train at back.|.2|Champagne coloured Wedding Veil - (approx 6ft in length) - complete with orange blossom 3 1/4' headdress. Headdress is handmade, attached to a wire frame|.3|Cream satin slipper. Machine stitched half in rows. Bow with satin loop and spray of wax orange blossom attached.|.4|Horse shoe shaped wedding item to hang over bride's arm. Rouched satin with ornamental - artificial (wax) orange blossom and buds with 2 mm ribbon to hang over arm. Cream coloured to match wedding dress.|.5|Satin horse shoe, rouched, with satin ribbon handle.|.6|Cream braided horse shoe with gilded wishbone and wax orange spray attached. A bow with long loop to hang on the arm.|.7|Satin Horseshoe Good Luck charm with 'petal' flowers surrounding it, made of cut material - ribbon bow with pearls in centre.|.8|Doll in taxi - Rosy-cheeked, dark hair, blue eyes, dressed in bridal dress with veil, with pearls and 'flowers' decorating the doll. The doll stood across the back seat, under the window. Lavender in base of stand.|.9|Bridal Ring Box - 'Good Luck' horseshoe charm box - in the shape of a prayer book. Cream box with silver motifs printed on.|.10|Groom's Buttonhole of spray of wax orange blossom - 4 flowers and 3 leaves. Cream flowers with yellow stamens - green leaves. 10 Items in total..7 'Wishing you all The Best' 'Good Luckcostume, female ceremonial

This group and RDNS Sisters are at a meeting at Fawkner Park Community Centre and are listening to the lady on the left who is pointing out information to them.. Liaison had occurred between Doctors and the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885. This increased when Midwifery was introduced in August 1893 with close liaising with the Women’s Hospital. As District nursing grew it was recognized that closer liaising between many Public Hospitals and Community Centres would be beneficial, for not only the MDNS, later called Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Trained nurses (Sisters), but also for the patients of RDNS and the hospitals. In August 1964 a Liaison Officer commenced at the Alfred Hospital. This soon increased to Liaison Officers working full time at several Public Hospitals. They facilitated the smooth transition from Hospital to home for many patients who required ongoing nursing care. Liaison Sisters regularly attended discharge planning meetings, interviewed prospective patients, co-ordinated discharge and booked the first visit by the visiting RDNS Sister. At the time of a patient’s discharge, the Liaison Sister forwarded information on their diagnosis and instructions regarding the care required at home to the appropriate RDNS Centre, and in turn the attending District Sister wrote a report of progress and any queries to the Hospital Doctor, via the Liaison Sister, at the time the patient was attending outpatients. Any new instructions were then sent back to the District Sister. Liaising also occurred between District Sisters and Doctors when patients were referred by General Practitioners and did not attend a hospital. District Sisters also liaised with personnel attached to Community Centres.This black and white photograph is of a group of two men and five ladies, three of whom are Royal District Nursing (RDNS), Sisters, sitting at a large dark wooden table which has an open folder and papers with diagrams or information on them, Notepads and pens sit in front of several. L-R is a partly hidden man who has short dark hair; wears glasses, a dark suit over a white shirt and dark tie. His left hand is up to his face. Next is another man with short dark hair who wears glasses; has a grey suit, white shirt and patterned tie. His right hand is up to his face. Next is a lady with short curled hair who is wearing a dark patterned and white edged vest over a round neck grey jumper. She is looking at, and holding a pen in her right hand poised over, a sheet of paper with columns and writing on it. Next is an RDNS Sister with collar length dark curled hair, who has her left hand up to the side of her face. Then an RDNS Sister with short straight hair. Next is a lady with her dark hair drawn back and wearing a white jumper; she has her hands up to her chin. Next, and far right, is an RDNS Sister, who has short straight blonde hair and has a pen in her right hand. Her left hand, with a dark watch at the wrist, is up to the side of her face. The group are all looking at the columned information sheet which the lady on the left is pointing out with her pen. The RDNS Sisters are wearing light grey skivvies under dark grey V neck tunic style frocks.Barry Sutton LO 40royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns liaison, rdns uniform