This has been a home/surgery for a number of general practitioners. Dr Hedley Francis Summons is listed on the 1931 and 1936 electoral roll as resident / practising here. He was born in Kew in 1899 (died in 1967) and married Elsie Florence Finlayson in 1925. They had a son and daughter. In 1937 the family returned to Melbourne from Edinburgh. He became Lt Colonel of the 2nd 9th Field Ambulance, 2nd AIF in WW2. He was taken POW on the fall of Singapore and there is a portrait of him by Murray Griffin done in Changi. Dr Lorimer Grant Morton (1904-1989) graduated in 1931 and was registered at 627 Whitehorse Road in that year until c1937. Dr Alan Herbert McNaughton graduated in 1932 and was the general practitioner during the WW2. He is listed at the address in the 1942 and 1943 electoral roll. He married Nancy Winifred Bottomley in 1940. Dr Jack Ramsay Collie (1914-1990) was a general practitioner at 627 Whitehorse Road from c1954-1980. He served in RAN in WW2; married Mary Sewell Graham in 1945 and had a son and a daughter. 627 Whitehorse Road probably ceased as a medical practice after his retirement. Sale history: Sold in November 2007 by Marshall White Real Estate for $1.455M Sold in September 2011 by Jellis Craig real Estate for $1.75MThe house is significant as an example of past practice of general practitioners having their surgeries as part of their home. This example is from a later date than the Surrey Hills Medical Centre (SHMC) at 174 Union Road, which was purpose-built for Dr James Landells Blakie in c1911. In this case the building has reverted to domestic use, whereas in the case of SHMC its use became solely medical.A coloured photograph of a house with an established garden and a wire fence along the front. A tall gum tree stands in front of the house.surrey hills, whitehorse road, doctors, dr hedley francis summons, dr jack ramsay collie, (miss) mary sewell graham, (mrs) mary sewell collie, dr donald malcolm collie, (miss) elsie florence finlayson, (mrs) elsie florence summons, dr alan herbert mcnaughton, (mrs) nancy winifred mcnaughton, dr lorimer grant morton

in the early part of the 20th century, Warrnambool's residents had their share of health problems.according to the Annual report by Dr H I Holmes in 1921. Diphtheria, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, polimyelitis and scarlet fever were common afflictions. The sanitary system or lack thereof was the primary source of much of this illness. The healthcare facilites were much better and the hospital was well run and was further improved by the opening of the baby health centre which was opened in October 1921. The centre was situated in Liebig street at the Town Hall and was open three days a week to offer advice to mothers regarding their babies. and Sister Riley was in charge. Miss Florence Lake who opened the centre was a well known resident of the town and generous benefactor of the Warrnambool base hospital.. Florence along with her sister inherited the Lyndoch estate from George and Annie rolfe in 1920. She was well known around the district for her good nature and humour. As her sister married and moved to Italy, she continued to run Lyndoch as it had always been. She died in November 1946 This plaque has historical and social significance as it notes the time in the history of Warrnambool when health came to the fore of public interest and importance. It also commemorates one of Warrnambool's better known citizens and the beginnings of the maternal health system in the cityThis heavy stone plaque grey in colour, with polished surface, is rectangular, with lettering cut and coloured in gold. all the lettering is in capitals. It is possibly graniteWarrnambool Baby Health Centre. This stone was laid by Miss Florence Lake 1st October 1927. F M Pattison President, C M Merrett Hon Sec.warrnambool, warrnambool baby health centre, sister riley, florence lake

The story of this gold fob watch is intriguing. The letter is dated March 6, 1905, 27 years after the Loch Ard was wrecked. It appears to be a quick personal note from a relative or friend who briefly writes the history of the enclosed ‘souvenir’ watch, found in Loch Ard Gorge at Port Campbell. Although the finder is not named, it is likely the letter’s author. The writer mentions that the letter and watch would be sent once photographs of the area where the watch was found had been added. The fancy, lined envelope’s date stamp is October 12th, 1917 (12.10.17), almost 12 years after the letter was written. It has a postmark from Florence (Firenze), Italy. The handwriting on the envelope differs from that of the letter, and there is no further mention of photographs being included. The condition of the watch certainly shows the effects of time in the sea. Some inner workings can be seen through broken encrustations and missing sections of its case. The winding knob on the top is recognisable even though it is covered by sand and other adhesions from the sea. Its dainty size and gold case suggest that it was made for a well-to-do female. The watch, envelope and letter were donated along with a 1971 newspaper cutting, all neatly folded and tucked with the watch into a small, strong cardboard box with metal reinforcing on the corners and a fitted lid. The newspaper article gives context to the watch, telling the story of the Loch Ard shipwreck tragedy and the two survivors, but does not refer to the watch. Perhaps one of the 17 passengers sailing on the Loch Ard, including members of the Carmichael family, owned the watch, or maybe it was amongst the cargo, as the ship’s manifest includes ‘clocks and watches £25’. . Considering the dates of the letter and the envelope, did the finder of the ‘souvenir’ watch take it to Europe? Was it used for good luck during service in the military? . Comparing the different writing on the letter and the envelope, does it suggest that the watch’s finder was overseas and asked someone to send the envelope to the intended recipient, with postage from Italy? ABOUT the address, “Glencove”: The details on the envelope are faint and obscured by stiff creases in the paper. The address appears to be “Mrs J. Mortton, Glencove, Portsea, Victoria, Australia”; though the family at that address had the surname “Morton”. Mrs J. Morton, formerly Elizabeth Ford, married her second husband, James Morton, in 1904, the year before the date of the letter. The couple lived at the Nepean Hotel before they were at “Glencove”. Although they never owned that property, it was their home when James died in 1937. Elizabeth’s nephew, Alfred Sandle Ford (1894-1981), and a nephew-in-law were overseas during World War I. Alfred Ford had moved to Melbourne as a young boy with his father. He entered service as Second Lieutenant in 1915, naming his father, Alfred Sandle Ford, as his next of kin. He served in Egypt, France and Belgium with the Australian Imperial Forces as a member of the Field Artillery Brigades. He returned to Melbourne in 1919 and worked in Richmond and Box Hill. He later married Frances Whyburn. Previously, in 1872, Elizabeth Ford’s sister, Julia Ford, acquired the 1-acre property with a 3-room house that became known as “Glencove”, Portsea. The building was originally the first school in the area, established before Crown Land sales. In the Parish of Nepean, it was first assessed for rates in 1871. Julia Ford (1843-1912) and Elizabeth Ford (1859-1957) were daughters of James Sandle Ford (1811-1890), a well-known pioneer of Portsea, formerly a convict limeburner. James Ford acquired several Crown allotments in Portsea. In 1872, he converted his old hotel into the large residential establishment known as the Nepean Hotel, which his family largely ran until it was demolished in 1971. During those years, different family members lived at the Nepean Hotel or Glencove. In 1877, Julia Ford married a significant landowner, John Cain, a limeburner from Rye. They had five daughters, four of whom were never married; Kathleen (1880-1949), Mabel (1881-1973), who was the last family member to own the house until her death, Hilda (1884-1974) and Julia Ethel (1888-1949). Some of the newspaper records refer to “Glencove”, Portsea, inform that: 1927 - Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Shilliday are staying with Mrs. R. B. Sanderson at Glencove. (Australasian) 1937 - James Morton died at his property, Glencove, Portsea, aged 83 years (Argus) 1949 - Julia Ethel Cain died at Glencove, Portsea. (Argus) 1949 - Probate application by sisters of Julia Ethel Cain, deceased, formerly of Nepean Hotel, Portsea, but late of Glencove, Nepean Highway, Portsea. The connection of the watch with the sands of Loch Ard Gorge and to the ship Loch Ard contributes to our knowledge of personal items brought to Australia in 1878, whether as the belongings of a passenger or as cargo; a gold watch would be intended for a wealthy buyer. The little artefact helps us understand the survival of artefacts in the powerful sea, over a quarter of a century after the wreck of the ship. Although many people would have visited the shipwreck site, the length of time before it was found helps us understand the effects of the sea on shipwreck artefacts. The survival of the carefully packaged watch and related documents shows the respectful understanding of preservation of historic artefacts, even from almost 150 years ago at the time of writing (2025). Ladies' fob watch, thought to be gold. It is now covered in encrustation. A bump on the edge would be the winding mechanism for the watch. A small section of the back of the case has broken away, and an engraved surface can be seen. Face and hands are missing, revealing the spring workings inside. Donated with the watch were two documents and a newspaper cutting about the story of the shipwreck of the Loch Ard. They are all in a strong cardboard box with reinforced corners on the base and lid. Found at Loch Ard Gorge and said to have been from the Loch Ard. The three donated documents are: - 1. A rectangular envelope made of cream waxy paper lined with black and white diagonally striped paper. The top right corner, usually meant for a postage stamp, has been torn off, partly exposing text on a rectangular printed logo. A round black postmark stamp near the top centre shows the post office location and date. The address on the front is handwritten in black ink. The creases on the envelope suggest it has been folded three times. 2. A letter on cream rectangular paper features clear, handwritten script in black ink. The unevenly cut bottom edge has two short black vertical lines, possibly the tops of tall written letters. There are creases where the page has been folded three times. 3. A newspaper clipping featuring text, an illustration, and handwritten details of the newspaper’s source.1. Envelope: - Address: ”Australia (per Postage) / [looks like “Mrs J. Mortton”] / Glencove, (Portsea) / Victoria” Postmark: “FIRENZE” 12 10 17” “ - - - -PORTEN – (illegible)” Logo inside envelope: “BUSTA BRE--- / Earliera Lialia” [Italian; Busta = envelope, Earliera == earlier] 2. Letter: - “I am sending you a ‘souvenir’ from the wreck of the Loch Ard 28 years ago at Port Campbell. It is the remains of a lady’s gold watch found in the gorge where Miss Carmichael & Tom Pearce (the only two saved) were washed up. This souvenir was lying there ever since. I went down into the awful gorge & saw the cave where these two unfortunates (or fortunate perhaps, as they were saved) lived until rescued. I also saw the graves of those who were washed up from the wreck. One grave contains Dr and Mrs Carmichael & six of their children. Later on, when I can get some good views of that wild coast I will send them to you. 6/3/05.” 3. Newspaper cutting: - History of the Lochard. Refer to the Sydney Morning Herald, Nov. 28th, 1971: “Loch Ard: the wreck that became a legend” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch ard, eva carmichael, tom pearce, loch ard gorge, loch ard souvenir, port campbell, miss carmichael, mrs carmichael, dr carmichael, 1878, loch ard: the wreck that became a legend, ladies fob watch, gold watch, fob watch, pocket watch, horology, accessory, time keeping, scientific instrument, ladies' watch, ladies' pocket watch, lady's watch, souvenir watch, survivor, clocks and watches, diagonally striped envelope lining, firenze, busta, earliera, florence, italy, glencove, portsea, victoria, 1905, 1917, nepean hotel, moreton, morton, elizabeth morton, mrs j. morton, james morton, elizabeth ford, julia ford, alfred sandle ford, frances whyburn, james sandle ford, john cain, kathleen cain, mabel cain, hilda cain, julia ethel cain, australian imperial forces, field artillery brigades, limeburner

Cheltenham Tennis Club, Park Road, Cheltenham Back (left to right) Carrie Hayman, Clem Phillips, Anne Chandler, J Woods, Eugenie Fairlam, [James] Francis, [Walter] Foreman, Maggie Maxwell, Fanny Woff, Minnie Cullen, Third Row: Dr Albert Weigell, [?] Edwards, Cliff Scantlebury, Woods, Renshaw, Barnon, [Mary?] Bodley, Second row: Mrs Renshaw, Florence Meeres, Miss Earls, Elizabeth Fairlam, Zillah Meeres, K. Moorhouse, Mrs Maxwell, Front: Arthur Chandler, Edwin Tuck, [Unknown], W. Edwards.Black and white image of a group of men and women standing courtside with rackets in their handsRound red sticker:X2 [crossed out] Handwritten in blue ink enclosed in a circle:49 / written in pink ink 50%tennis, cheltenham, cheltenham tennis club, sport

Gwyneth "Gwen" Goedecke collectionHiroshima|Historical articles, Hiroshima Day Speech (Rally 2007) Melbourne|Campaign for International Co-operation & Disarmament (CICD) - 40 years on - Commemoration (1985) |Nuclear Disarmament - People for Nuclear Disarmament (PND) including the Footscray Sunshine PND group|signed petition World Disarmament Campaign (1982) sponsored by the UN Association of Australia|Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (post 2007) - Why the US is targeting Russia and Iran ...... Nuclear Primacy|publication of the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) 2007 titled ' Understanding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty'|Australian Nuclear Free Zones Secretariat including minutes and correspondence - Sunshine Council|Non- Proliferation Legislation Amendment Bill 2003 (Australia) Uranium Mining - protest groups meetings, rally notices, newspaper articles, Atomic Energy in Australia magazines Volume 18, number 4 |Campaign for International Co-Operation and Disarmament (CICD) - Australia's longest runing peace movement, founded in 1959 by unionists, church leaders and peace activists (originally called World Congress for Disarmament and International Co-Operation) |United Nations - Australia and the United Nations Annual Report Card (2007) - report by Gwen Goedecke (1995) - 50th Anniversary Conference : The United Nations - Between Sovereignty and Global Governance - (La Trobe University)|UNITY - newsletters, publications of the UN Association of Australia -#274 (September 2001) AND #331 (March 2003) -compiled from Federal Parliamentary and other sources relevant to Australia's obligations to the UN | Arms Race/Spending: Newspaper clippings '70s to 2008 Senate Motion on National Missile Defence (200?) Submission re Australian involvement in Missile Defence dated? Defence White Paper Community Consultation Process and correspondence (July to September 2008) Exposing the Bare Essentials Behind the Arms Trade: Connecting Women's Rights & The Peace Process - by Yum Lee, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (1995) Various articles on arms/disarmaments/national security/defence spending including Senate Questions (1994 &1995) Australian Controls on the Export of Defence & Related Goods - Guidelines for Exporters - Department of Defence (1992) World Action to Stop the Deadly Arms Race - report isssued by Alf Watt for the Australian Socialist Group NSW (post 1975) Anti US/Foreign bases in Australia - '80s to 2000 Anti US bases in Australia and the Paciic including PINE GAP newspaper - Oceania (1986) |East Timor Article by Vera Butler (PHD, Political Science, Uni of Melbourne) on Australia, East Timor and The Clinton Doctrine - September 1999 |Middle East List of UN Resolutions against Israel (1955-1992) Map of Middle East Theatre of War, from the Centre for Research on Globilisation, Canada (2003) Brief - Middle East highlights (1973) by Israel Press Ltd., Tel Aviv |Iraq War (1998-2004 Newspaper arlticles Flyers protesting the war, rally notices Reports, emails, correspondence, media releases, petitions, newsletters Socialist Worker pamphlet - 'Is the UN an alternative to the US Empire?' Report by Dr Carmen Laswrence MP - 'What War?' (April 2003) A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition response to President Bush's National TV address of September 7, 2003 |Peace andTerror World Peace Council Presidential Committee meeting, Stockholm (1975) (2 reports) 'Challenging the Cold War' - an analysis of the motivation and strategies of the Victorian Peace Council in the 1950's, by Nancy Florence Phillips B.A. (Oct 1986) Palm Sunday Peace Rally & Festival poster (1988) Media Report (2003 'Managing Terror in the Media', together with Gwen's notespeace

Professor Edward Woodall Gault (1902-1982) and his wife Dr Edna Isabel Gault (1903-1992) taken after they retired in 1970s. They practiced in Surrey Hills 1931 - 1937. In 1931 they set up practice at 656 Canterbury Road, on the corner of Russell Street, then in 1934 moved to a house built for them at 698 Canterbury Road on the corner of Florence Road. They were closely associated with the Methodist church and in 1938 went to Northern India to carry on the mission hospital at Azamgart set up by Edward's sister Adelaide in 1924. They were there 25 years. On return to Melbourne in 1962 Edward became the pathologist at the Royal College of Surgeons, set up the Museum there and wrote a history of the Austin Hospital. Edna did research particularly studying aboriginal adolescents. Dr Adelaide Gault returned from India in the late 1920s due to ill health, later joining her father Dr Edward Leslie Gault in carrying on the practice in Canterbury Road for some time and then in Collins Street. We have books in our reference library covering their lives. A black and white photo photograph of a man and a woman. Both and wearing glasses and jumpers. There is a painting on the wall to the right of the photo.(1902-1982)/ Professor Edward Woodall / Gault & Dr Edna Isobel Gault. / (1903-1992) In retirement 1970's / Practiced in Surrey Hills / 1932-1937 / Doctors Edward & Edna Gaultsurrey hills, canterbury road, doctors, misssionaries, edward woodall gault, edna isabel gault, adelaide gault, edward leslie gault

Purchased by the Surrey Hills Historical Society for the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre History collection. Includes: illustrations, maps, portraits. Connie Dickens is believed to have spent some of her last year(s) in Surrey Hills. Traces the life of Mrs Edward (Plorn) Dickens, born in 1859 at River-View, Kangaroo Point, Tasmania, the third daughter of Alfred and Emily Desailly (nee Stanfield).Traces the life of Mrs Edward (Plorn) Dickens, born in 1859 at River-View, Kangaroo Point, Tasmania, the third daughter of Alfred and Emily Desailly (nee Stanfield).(mrs) constance emily rose dickens, (mrs) edward (plorn) dickens, (dr) (mr) francis desailly, (mr) alfred desailly, (miss) constance emily rosa desailly, (miss) emily desailly, (miss) florence eva desailly, (mrs) (ann) nancy sophia desailly, box hill cemetery

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

Query: Originally from a newspaper article. Dr Gault enrolled in U3A research aged 84 years, after retiring from psychiatry. She joined a U3A current affairs class and thrived on the weekly tutorial and interaction with other students. Quote: “My tutor Don Graves suggested I do further research so I have been studying what makes Aboriginal women so strong in their community. I have been doing an interview once or twice a week and writing it up.” - extract from ‘The Sun’ by Amanda Place 23 August 1988. Dr Edna Gault and her husband Dr. Edward Woodfall Gault set up practice in Surrey Hills in 1931 and built their home at 693 Canterbury Road, on the corner of Florence Road in 1933. In 1937 they went to India as medical missionaries, taking over the missionary hospital at Azamgah, established by his sister Dr. Adelaide Gault, who had to return to Australia on account of ill-health. They finished up at Vellore, South India. Dr Gault was born Edna Isabel Baylis in 1904 in NSW; she married her husband in 1932 in Chatswood, NSW. Later homes were: 13 Kasouka Road, Camberwell (1949); Warrandyte (1963) and Ivanhoe (1980). There is a biography of her life entitled 'A very amazing life' by Bette McLaughlin, a copy of which is in this collection. A black and white photograph of a happy looking eldery lady raising her walking stick.(mrs) (dr) edna gault, doctors, surrey hills, canterbury road, florence road, 1933, (miss) (dr) adelaide gault, 1988, university of the third age, u3a, psychiatrists, missionaries, (mr) (dr) edward woodfall gault, (miss) edna isabel baylis, (mrs) (dr) edna isabel gault

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