This photograph is a visual record of Mrs. Hallenstein who was President of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1967-1974. In February 1970 the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) hosted the First International Congress on Domiciliary Nursing and, as President of RDNS, Mrs. Hallenstein presided over the opening ceremony. Mrs. Hallenstein played an integral roll in the planning and correspondence to the College of Arms, London, which concluded with the Royal District Nursing Service being granted a Coat of Arms in 1970. In 1949 Mrs. D. (Elsa) Hallenstein was elected as a member of the Committee of Management of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) and After-Care Hospital, and In 1951 was elected as a member of the Committee of Management, and appointed to the Board of Directors of the Nursing Service Division, of MDNS and After-Care. In 1957 when the Society and After-Care Hospital separated, Mrs. Hallenstein was on the first Committee of Management of the now Melbourne District Nursing Service whose Headquarters was located at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. In 1962 she was elected as a Vice-President and in 1964 as senior Vice-president of MDNS until 1967 when she became President of the Committee of Management of the now renamed Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), a role she held until 1974. In February 1970 RDNS hosted the First International Congress on Domiciliary Nursing and, as President, Mrs. Hallenstein presided over the opening ceremony. Mrs. Hallenstein played an integral roll in Melbourne District Nursing Service being granted Royal patronage in 1966, now becoming Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), and with the planning and correspondence to the College of Arms, London, which concluded with the Royal District Nursing Service being granted a Coat of Arms in 1970. Black and white photograph of the head and shoulder view of Mrs. D. (Elsa) Hallenstein, who has light coloured wavy short hair. She is smiling and is wearing a black frock with small brooch attached. She is sitting in a floral lounge chair and has an open white leaflet in her hands.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, melbourne district nursing service, royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns coat of arms, mrs d. (elsa) hallenstein

A letter dated 8th May 1973 details how the letter from Florence Nightingale was forwarded to Mrs E.G. (Janet) Wilson in 1955 by Gwendolen, Florence Nightingale's niece. The explanatory letter was forwarded by Elsa Halenstein and given to Royal District Nursing Service and remains in its Archives. From 1948 Mrs. Wilson served on the Committee of Management of Melbourne District Nursing Society (later Service), serving as President from October 1964-1967. In 1949 Mrs. Hallenstein served on the MDNS Committee of Management, becoming President of the now Royal District Nursing Service from 1967-1974. Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing. Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) only employed Trained nurses from its inception in 1885. They followed Florence Nightingale's basic rules of good hygiene, cleanliness, good nutrition and fresh air, which they learned during their Nursing Training at a Hospital, and taught to their patients by instruction and demonstration. In those days Trained nurses were called 'Nurse'. In 1892 MDNS employed Lucy Smith who, through the Nightingale Fund, did her nursing training at the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas's Hospital in London. She was the first nurse from this school to work at MDNS. Florence Nightingale, born on the 12th of May 1820, was named after the place of her birth in Italy. Born into a wealthy family she was schooled at home where she excelled in her studies; spoke several languages fluently, and was taught home management. She believed she was ‘called’ to reduce human suffering and tended to ill members of her family and tenants on the family estate. She worked as a nurse at Salisbury Infirmary where she learned about nursing sanitation and hospital practice. Florence then enrolled at the Institution of Protestant Deaconesses at Kaiserswerth, Germany where she learned basic nursing skills, the importance of patient observation, and hospital organization. In 1853 she became Superintendent of the Institution for Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances in London, where she reformed health care, working conditions, and hospital efficiency. The Crimean War broke out in late 1853 and a newspaper reported the injured and sick soldiers were being cared for by an “incompetent and ineffective medical establishment and that most basic supplies were not available for care”. After an outcry from the public, Florence was asked to lead a group of 38 nurses, whom she had trained, to Scutari where the wounded soldiers were sent. After arriving at the Barrack Hospital in October 1854, she found the soldiers were being cared for in overcrowded and filthy conditions; contaminated water, faeces on the floors and rats running freely. There were few supplies and equipment. Florence bought supplies and equipment and found help to assist in the laundry. The wards were scrubbed from floor to ceiling. Florence set a high standard of care with fresh air, hygiene, clean clothing, sufficient food and regular dressing of wounds being carried out. She realized the importance of psychological needs, and soldiers were assisted to write letters to relatives, and took part in education and recreational activities. Of a night Florence walked through the wards, carrying a lamp to light her way, to check on ill and wounded soldiers and became known as “The Lady with the Lamp”. She gained the respect of the soldiers and the establishment, and later, the public through the soldier’s letters and reports in the newspaper. After visiting Crimea she contracted ‘Crimean Fever’ from which she never really recovered. When she returned to London she was regarded a heroine. The public had given freely to buy her a gift but Florence preferred this money be used to establish a fund, which became known as the Nightingale Fund. Florence had kept excellent records on the running of the Barrack Hospital, medical and nursing staff efficiency, and the causes of illness and death. Many nurses from the training school became Matrons in many countries throughout the world. Florence pushed the Government for legislation to improve drainage and sanitation in homes and in the building of hospitals with fresh air a priority. She wrote the book ‘Notes on Nursing’ and many writings on health reform. She died, aged 90 years, in her home at 10 South Street, Park Lane on the 13th of August 1910. A handwritten letter, written in lead pencil, by Florence Nightingale. It is written to her niece Gwendolen.. The letter is on buff coloured paper and has the date 'Oct 17 1900'/ written in the top right hand corner; below this is, in capital letters, the two line black printed address - '10, South Street,/ Park Lane, W'/ is stamped. The bulk of the letter reads over eight lines: "Dearest Gwendolen",/ "Thanks for your / dear note,/ I shall gladly look / forward to seeing you, / on Friday at 5 ,/ ever your loving, / Aunt Florence./ . rdns, royal district nursing service, miss florence nightingale, mrs e.g. (janet) wilson, mrs d. (elsa) hallenstein

The photograph is of dignitaries attending the opening of the 1st International Domiciliary Nursing Congress hosted by RDNS. Mrs. Hallenstein is President of RDNS and Dame Ivy Wedgwood and Lady MacKenzie, M.B., B.S., are on the RDNS Committee. Lady MacKenzie agreed to be the Congress Convener. The 1st International Domiciliary Nursing Congress was hosted by Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Mrs. D.(Elsa) Hallenstein, President of RDNS, presided over the opening ceremony with the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon John Gorton opening the Congress. It was held in Melbourne and ran from the 1st to the 8th of February 1970. The theme of the Congress was "Domiciliary Nursing in a Changing World". Many delegates came from around Australia and overseas; from the World Health Organisation; from the North American continent; from Europe, from Asia and from the Pacific. .Black and white photograph of Australia's Prime Minister, the Hon John Gorton, with Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) dignitaries, all are standing. On the far left of the photograph is Dame ivy Wedgwood, who is wearing glasses, and has a light coloured close fitting hat covering most of her short dark hair; she is wearing a black frock with a white badge on its upper left. A black bag hangs from her left arm and her hands are clasped in front of her. She is looking to the left. Mrs. D. Hallenstein is to her right. She has a dark close fitting hat covering most of her light coloured hair; is wearing a dark coloured patterned frock with a badge attached to its upper left and is wearing a necklace. Her white gloved hands holding her glasses are at the level of her waist. To her right, partially seen, is Mrs. Gorton, who has wavy blonde hair and is wearing a white checked frock. Next to her, partially seen, is the Hon John Gorton who has dark hair and is wearing a dark suit. Next to him, and to the far right, is Lady MacKenzie who is wearing glasses and has a grey hat over her light coloured hair. She is wearing a light coloured jacket and skirt and is holding a white handbag in her gloved left hand. The group are standing by glass doors and trees can be seen in the background. Photographers stamp. Quote No. JD 64royal district nursing service, rdns, 1st international congress on domiciliary nursing, mrs d. (elsa) hallenstein, mrs gorton, hon john gorton, dame ivy evelyn annie wedgwood, lady mackenzie

This sign was displayed at the 1st International Domiciliary Nursing Congress which was hosted by the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS).The 1st International Domiciliary Nursing Congress was hosted by Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Mrs. D.(Elsa) Hallenstein, President of RDNS, presided over the opening ceremony with the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon John Gorton opening the Congress. It was held in Melbourne and ran from the 1st to the 8th of February 1970. Many delegates came from around Australia and overseas; from the World Health Organisation; from the North American continent; from Europe, from Asia and from the Pacific. Black and white photograph showing the sign displayed at the 1st International Domiciliary Nursing Congress. Across the photograph is a long black metal stand, with eight legs, which holds a large board. On the upper quarter can be seen to the left a medium sized black circle which has the lettering '1st' outlined in white on it. To the right of this is the black lettering "International Domiciliary Nursing Congress" in capital letters on a white background. Below the black circle, on a white background, is a large round white globe outlined in black and with black spaced vertical and horizontal grids on it. In the lower centre of this is the black coloured land mass of Australia. Over the left hand top section, and above and to each side of the white globe are different land masses of the world displayed in grey. To the right of this there are two grey sections which are divided vertically with a black line,.and contain information on white sheets. To the right of that is a white section with round photographs in three pairs running down the board.Photographer stamp. Quote No. JE 4royal district nursing service, rdns, mrs d. (elsa) hallenstein, hon john gorton, 1st international domiciliary nursing congress