Photograph shows a female uniformed employee sitting at the controls of a Y1 class tram with a male in a suit standing to her right with his left hand on the back of the small driver's seat. The leather curtain used to enclosed the driver is open and stowed to the right. The tram appears to be on a suburban street but is stationary as the closeup photograph is taken from outside the tram. As this class of tram was used to train drivers at the Hawthorn Depot driver training school, the location may be close to this depot. The sloping driver's windscreen and long upper side window identify it as Y1 class. The female employee's summer uniform dress and jacket were introduced in 1975. Caps were no longer required, replaced with employee number badges worn on the uniform. This undated photograph is significant because the first female driver, Joyce Barry, was finally approved as a driver in 1975 after years of strong resistance by the tramways union. The staff member pictured is not Driver Barry. Yields information about driver training and female drivers Black and white print with no note.y1 class, leather curtain, driver training school, hawthorn depot, sloping drivers windscreen, caps, 1975, summer uniform dress, joyce barry, tramways union

This Summer Mess Dress Jacket was made in 1990 there is no information to who is was issued.The Jacket would have been when attending formal mess events during summer. White Jacket with Sergeants Insignia.There are no inscriptions or markingssummer mess dress jacket, australian army, 1990

Summer dress uniform, dress, jacket and slacks. Fabric - light green colour, wool/polyester. 1. Dress - with wide collar, front opening with five button holes, no buttons, short sleeves with self cuff. Two inset front pockets and pair of box pleats. Manufacturer's label back below collar - white cotton label. 2. Jacket - with wide collar, front opening has button holes, no buttons, short sleeves with self cuff, two inset front pockets. Two manufacturer's labels - back below collar and exterior of left pocket. 3. Slacks - full length slacks - no belt loops. Front metal and nylon zipper fly, green colour plastic button at waist. No pockets. Two manufacturer's labels, inside back of waistband, exterior back of waistband (to be removed when worn). White cotton/polyester fabric. 4. Belt - with keeper and gold colour plastic buckle.Manufacturer's labels - black ink print. 1. "A.G.C.F./ VICTORIA/ 1978/ ^/ 8410-66-097-0796/ size 18 AV HEIGHT/ AV HIP/ 100 CM BUST/ 80 CM WAIST/ 105 HIPS/ FABRIC/ WOOL/POLYESTER/ NAME/ SERVICE NO." with "LAUNDRY INSTRUCTIONS" 2. Inside collar "A.G.C.F./ VICTORIA/ 1980/ 6/ 8410-66-097-0841/ SIZE 14 AVE HEIGHT/ FULL HIP/ 90 CM BUST/ 70 CM WAIST/ 100 CM HIPS/ FABRIC/ WOOL/POLYESTER/ NAME/ SERVICE NO." Pocket - THIS TAG IS FOR IDENTIFICATION ONLY/ PLEASE REMOVE BEFORE WASHING" with printed and handwritten information. 3. Inside back of waistband - same as 2. Inside collar label. Exterior back of waistband - same as 2. exterior of left pocket. uniform, summer service dress, army, browne, passchendaele barracks trust

This was the uniform of junior girls from the 1960s until the new campus for secondary students began at Truganina in 1978. Shortly after the opening of the secondary campus a new dress, green in colour, was adopted for all girls. This summer uniform dress, donated by a past parent, was handmade and worn by a prep student in 1977. It is a rare example of the school dress from this period. Together with a dress pattern and a sample of the same fabric donated by another past parent, these items have historic significance and interpretive capacity. Current students enjoy learning about how different the provision of school uniforms was not so long ago, as Westbourne uniforms can now be ordered online.Small belted dress in blue checked pattern with white collar and sleeve cuffs and three white buttons down the front.

Summer dress uniform worn with black shoes and long socks. Items in collection re T. Pattison, refer Cat No 5342.4..1) Shirt and lanyard, polyester light khaki colour with purple cord lanyard, WO2 insignia on upper sleeves, on each shoulder epaulettte “RASVY” badges .2) Shorts polyester light khaki colour .3) Belt, webbing light khaki colour with black buckles.uniforms-army, polyesters, summer dress

5 girls in Winter uniforms with ties. 11 girls in Summer Uniforms, 4 Girls in Dresses. 25 boys Sumer Uniform short sleeve shirts + Shorts, 2 Boys with ties, 1 in winter uniform Long Sleeve Shirt & trousers no tie.B/W. Photograph. 5 Rows of Girls and Boys in front of brick buildingStudent written on back - See attachment. Stawell State School 11 April Grade 3 1967education, class photograph

Epaulettes (2) for Flight Lieutenant, summer use, with florentine bronze crown & eagle badge (known as RAAF Officer Eagle; Small). This pair of summer dress uniform epaulettes. The epaulettes are made up of shoulder straps and a tongue sewn underneath each strap. The straps and tongues both have a button hole with sewn edges for attachment to the summer dress tunics. The epaulettes are secured to the tunic by buttons. They have no physical inscriptions or markings but have a badge comprising crown above and eagle done in florentine bronze.

Jacket - Khaki colour cotton twill fabric, brown colour Bakelite shank buttons with raised map of Australia and lettering with metal cotton pins. Collar, shoulder epaulettes with attached "AUSTRALIA" badge, two front pockets with button down flap. Inside jacket two brass belt keepers. Manufacturers stamp inside front right side.Manufacturers information - purple ink stamp "^/C.P."uniform, army, cww2

See cat 5678.3 for service details.1. Dress coat - khaki colour cotton twill. Buttons - black colour bakelite with metal shankMakers label - black colour embroidery on cotton fabric "V241 MADE IN/AUSTRALIA/1943/SIZE"uniforms, raaf, ww2

See Cat 5678.3 for service details.1. Dress coat - Khaki colour cotton twill, no buttons. Makers label - inside right front. 2. Work jacket - Khaki colour cotton twill. Possibly Army issue. Buttons - black colour bakelite with metal shank. Emblazxoned with "AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES" , King's Crown and map of Australia. Maker's label - inside right front.1. Maker's label - black colour embroidery on cotton fabric " V320 MADE IN/AUSTRALIA/1942/SIZE" - handwitten on label in blue ink " 170317". 2. Maker's label - black print on cotton fabric " Q150/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA/ 1942/ SIZE24/ REGIMENTAL NO................NAME.................". uniform, raaf, ww2

E. FORREST, Able Seaman1. Shirt - white polyester, short sleeved, embroidered insignia shoulder flashes. 2. Shorts - white polyester.Upper shoulder flash "Australia". Lower sleeve - Insignia, Able Seaman. Both in blue embroidery.uniform, navy, summer dress

Capt Linda Elliott F236731 Summer Service Dress. Nurses - Refer Cat No 4308, 4775.8, 1. Shirt - short sleeved, polyester and cotton, light khaki. 2. Trousers - wool/polyester, light khaki.1 & 2. Handwritten on makers label, black ink ELLIOT F 236731.uniform, nurses

These ribbons were worn on the Clarendon Ladies College (CLC) uniform summer and winter hat. The CLC accessories were worn in the 1900 - 1910 era. After 1920 the school changed its name to Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies College and the crest reflected ths change. Prior to the early 1900s students wore dark skirts and white blouses and ribbon ties. Formal photographs taken at Speech Night saw the girls in frilled and lace white dresses. Fragment of navy blue ribbon with white border and fine gold line between white and navy; Clarendon ladies College crest embroidered; the fragment is accompanied by a roll of the same ribbonCLC crestclarendon-ladies-college, hat-band, 1900s, 1910s, uniform, hat

Items issued or made for Henry T RIDGE V57996 & VX148845 CMF & 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 475.10 for service details..1) Coat, Service Dress, Kahki, winter, 2 x Rising Sun Epaulettes badges, 2 x Australia badges, 2 x colour patches, rectangular white over red with grey surround, Lieut rank badges, 2 on one side, one on the other (missing one), metal buttons. .2) Belt-cloth, Kahki, metal buckle, leather adjustment straps on inside, for .1) .3) Coat, Service Dress, summer, light Kahki, 1 x Rising Sun lapel badge (one missing), 2 x combined cloth Australia and Lieut shoulder badges, 4 pockets, plastic buttons. .4) Shirt, light weight, Kahki, Service Dress summer style, short sleeve, plastic buttons..1) “Wilkes Todhunter, Civil and Military Tailors”, “H.T.Ridge 9/7/41” .3) “Wilkes Todhunter, Civil and Military Tailors”, “H.T.Ridge 3072, 15/7/1941” .4) “Wilkes Todhunter, Civil and Military Tailors”, “H.T.Ridge 7976, 14/1/44uniform ww2, army, officer

Uniform belonging to Catherine Winifred Sewell Born 1915, Regt No 96270 F.O Women’s Australian Auxillary Air Force (W.A.A.A.F) .1) Jacket summer dress, cotton khaki, Epaulettes, lower right sleeve has 2 red chevrons denoting years of service .2) Skirt summer dress, cotton Khakifemale, uniforms, wwii, waaf

Uniform items issued to Quentin Clifford BINKS, V245016 & VX114178 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 1835 for his service history. .1) Jacket, Service Dress, khaki, summer with 2 x Australia shoulder badges, 2 x Rising Sun lapel badges, 4 x Lieut rank badges ( 2 on each shoulder), 2 x WW2 Service Ribbons, 2 x blue Service Chevrons on right sleeve, metal buttons, 4 pockets. .2) Trousers, Service Dress, khaki, summer, 3 pockets. .3) Shirt, polyester, khaki, long sleeves. .4) Tie, cotton, khaki. .5) Belt, Sam Brown, brown leather, waist and shoulder belts. .6) Braces, clear plastic..1) “Wardrop, My Tailor of Melbourne, Collingwood and Geelong for all men’s wear” .2) “Wardrop of Melbourne, Collingwood and Geelong, approved Military Tailors” Under in ink “Lieut Binks Dec 1942” .3) “ADF 1989” uniform - army - male, costume - male, costume accessories - male

Wool and polyester khaki dress trousers. Two pleats at the front. Fob pocket on the right front. Front zip with metal closure and button tag.. Pockets on the left and right hips. Pocket on the back right side with hidden button and button hole.Seven belt loops on waist band. Four small horizontal loops on the waist band, two at the front and two at the back. Label on the inside on the lining of the back pocket states - A.G.C.F. (Australian Government Clothing Factory) Vic 1989. 8405.66.018.5545. Macquarie 89. Batch U. Size 87.5L W.87.5 IL.82 Army No. Name. Dry clean only. re press on original creases use damp cloth or medium to hot steam iron. White tag on the waist band on the right back stating - Size 87.5L. Tag on the right hand side on the back above the pocket stating - This tag is for identification only. Please remove before wearing. Docket No. 1106512 Order No. 29743836 Size 87.5L Garment No. 20851A Remarks 6I11Manufacturer - A.G.C.F. VIC 1989polyesters, dress trousers, wool polyester

Ringwood Mail newspaper article clipped from pages 9 and 14, 23 December, 1958.Norwood's First Speech Night FOR its first Annual Speech Night Norwood High School put on a remarkably smooth and entertaining performance. It even broke new ground for these occasions by staging a junior Mannequin Parade. In the appreciative audience were the Mayor and Mayoress of Ringwood (Cr. and Mrs. R. 0. Spencer), Cr.and Mrs. Peter Vergers, Cr.and Mrs. Doug Baxter, Cr.and Mrs. Ben Hubbard, and Mr. George Ormandy (Head Master of Ringwood High School) and Mrs. Ormandy. After the singing of the Norwood High School Song,'Fidelis', the Mayor, as Chairman, gave high praise to the school for its 'mighty effort on its first Speech Night.' It was an historic night, he said, an event which would live in the minds of the boys and girls of the school for as long as they lived. Education was a live issue today, the Mayor said, and it was as well to reflect on what the teaching staff of a school was asked to do. They were asked to teach the children how to play their part in life, to make decent men and women of them. And if the children were a future disappointment to their parents the Head Master and the staff could not be blamed. On behalf of the Council and citizens of Ringwood, the Mayor offered congratulations and good wishes for a happy Christmas. In his report the Head Master (Mr. J. A. Gibson, B.A.) said the school colours of purple and gold had been appropriately chosen because of the golden wattle and purple sarsaparilla which rioted through the district. The badge design was a transition of Nowood to Northward, a symbolic representation of the magnetic compass which formed the central motif of the badge. The fact that the compass is used by travellers as a reliable guide gave the school the motto 'Fidelis' which combined the ideas of faithfulness trustworthiness and dependability. The word was easy to remember and to say, and its meaning set a worthy ideal which the boys and girls of the school could strive to attain. For House names native words had been chosen and they were associated with features of the district. The names Kalinda, Maroondah, Mullum and Yarra had already acquired a special significance for everyone associated -with the school. School traditions were also being established, the report went on, by the holding of annual swimming and athletic meetings and the awarding of prizes, and the school had been helped here by the generosity of certain good people of the community who had presented trophies. In the field of inter-house activities the Couche family had presented to the school the Couche Cup for Swimming Contests, and the Warrandyte cup for aggregate points earned in all sports; Mr. Avison had presented the Norwood Cup. for Athletics Contests, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Godbehear the Rosebank Shield for award to the House gaining the highest aggregate score each year. Members of the Mackinlay family had perpetuated the name of the early owner of the property on which the school is built by donating a sum of money, the interest of which would provide the William and Elizabeth Mackinlay Prize each year for the Dux of Norwood High School. ATHLETIC SUCCESS The gross enrolment of 117, included 52 boys and 65 girls, who were divided into three forms of approx equal ability. The curriculum had been broadened to include excursions to the Art Gallery and Museum, to Orchestral concerts, and trips to Warrandyte, the Maroondah Dam and Healesville Wild Life Sanctuary. The school had taken part in inter-school sports contests during the year and came first in their section of the Swimming Contests held at Olympic Pool, also gaining second place at the Athletic Meeting at Olympic Park late in the year. A Social Service League had been formed in the school and had raised £36/7/3. This had been distributed to the Anti-Cancer Campaign, the Lord Mayor's Hospital Appeal, and Yooralla Crippled Children's Appeal. A Parents and Citizens Association had also been formed which had already raised more than £90 towards school funds. Mr. Gibson expressed the school's appreciation to the Head Master, staff and pupils of Boronia High School where Norwood pupils had been guests, and hoped that Norwood would be able to look after Mitcham High School as well in the coming year. After an informative explanation of the 'Importance and Responsibilities of a High School Advisory Council given by Inspector of Schools, Mr. H. W. Hopkins, B.A., the big moment of the evening arrived—the presentation of prizes and certificates by the Hon. J. W. Manson, MLA. Mr. Manson said the purpose of a school was twofold. It was to teach the children to fend for themselves and to live with one another. He congratulated Norwood High on its good start for the year and also those who didn't win prizes because, he said, they had learnt the most important lesson of all — not to win but to keep on trying. Second half of the program was purely entertainment. The School Drama Club presented a Christmas Nativity tableau and an adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'Christmas Carol' with considerable talent. The unique Dress Parade, conducted on the usual professional lines with a running commentary, was both amusing in its sophistication and delightful for the youthful charm of the mannequins and the excellence of the garments displayed. Attractive winter and summer school uniforms were displayed by boys and girls and featured the purple and gold colouring of the school. The girls' summer uniforms were fresh and cool looking with narrow lavender and white stripes. Gold Cesarine sports frocks were distinguished by a purple cord sash. Garments were made by girls in the Needlework Classes and reflected the greatest credit on both pupils and teachers. Cooking aprons, skirts, frocks and knitted sweaters and cardigans showed a wide variety and charm and the school uniforms were practical and smart. There was a bracket of rollicking folk dancing and a Making Music Interlude in which a group of boys and girls, in full hillbilly rig put on a turn with home-made instruments, penny whistles and their own fresh young voices. Teamwork was very good and the whole thing most amusing. Under the direction of Mr.J. A. Collins, the School choir sang delightfully; the traditional 'Greensleeves' and 'Gaudeums Igitur' being particularly effective. PRESENTATION PRIZES FORM 1A PASS CERTIFICATES — Margaret Forder, Noala Fullarton,Karen Gill, Jeanette Hamilton, Maureen Ing, Phyllis Kellar, Marie Knee, Norma Leslie, Mary Mackay, Valerie Quaife, Beverley Rimmer, Elizabeth Stubbs, Heather Trout, Gail Waugh, Brigitte Wieneroider, Jacqueline Wilson, Jeffrey Barnes, Stuart Dickson, Donald Duff, Brian Fitzgrald, Patrick Ford, Ian .Holt, Robert Jenkins, Allan Meyland, Ross Perkins, David Pullen, Denis Wise, John Wright. HONOUR CERTIFICATES; Lois Dewar, 89; Pauline Harmer 86.9, Brian Horswell 87.2. PASS CERTIFICATE and MOST IMPROVED: Willy Hoogstraat. HONOUR CERTIFICATE and DUX: Anne Luscombe, 94.9. FORM IB PASS CERTIFICATES: Faye Alsop, Helen Ashton, Joan Bedford, Carole Bonnett, Hazle Collins, Eileen Gunn, Gloria Lander, Meryn Longmire, Dianne Mclntyre, Geraldine McWilliam, Leslie Mahoney, Dawn Marley-, Judith Miller, Ann Morgan, Lucia Pruis, Dianne Whitehead, Jeffrey Aus, Peter Buckthorpe, Donald Falkingham, Brian Girvan, Nicholas Lobb, Graham Prime, Keith Purdie, Ronald Ryan, Colin Standfield, Kerry Stuart, Michael Toppin, Ian Weist, Terrence West, James Wilson. HONOLTR CERTIFICATES: Anne Couche 85.2; Susan Rule, 93.1; Dianne Thompson 92.1. PASS CERTIFICATE and MOST IMPROVED: Anne Bottomley. HONOUR CERTIFICATE and DUX: Arno Haemmerlea. FORM 1C PASS CERTIFICATES: Caroline Andrew, Ann Blower, Dianne Brown, Glenda Farrall, Judith Gibson, Jane Godbehear, Deidre Harding, Helen Morris, Margaret Patterson, Beverley Vergers, Heike Wenzel, Naomi Willshire. Beverley Wilson, Linda Woolan, Geoffrey David, Rowan Don, Timothy Donovan, Anthony Johnston, Michael Lavey, Frank Noble, Michael Parks, Graham Rogers, Gordon Stark, Angus Stark, David Williams. HONOUR, CERTIFICATES: Jennifer Coombs 87.1; Janice Cooke, 85.3; Merlyn Robertson 89.4; Richard Bell, 88.5; Peter Van Den Heuvel, 92.9; John Kerr, 89.3. PASS CERTIFICATE and MOST IMPROVED: Phillip Brown. HONOUR CERTTFICATE and DUX; Helena Lobb. ART PRIZE: Merlyn Robertson, 1C. NEEDLEWORK PRIZE: Judith Gibson, 1C. WILLIAM and ELIZABETH MACKINLAY PRIZE for Dux of the School: Anne Luscombe, 34.8. ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS. Norma Leslie (Mullum) under 13, girls. Dianne Whitehead (Yarra), 13 yrs and over girls, Don Falkingham (Kalinda), under 13, yrs, boys, Denis Wise (Maroondah), 13 years and over. HOUSE AWARDS Couche Cup for House Swimming Competition: Maroondah. Norwood Cup for House Athletics; Mullum. Warrandyte Cup for House Sport: Yarra. Rosebank Shield, for total House Points scored during year: Mullum.

Copy of a black and white photograph of Form 1A, 1956. Accompanied by a caption.Caption reads: Form 1A 1956. The photo was taken near Pasco Street boundary. Navy blue tunic, blazer and beret was the winter uniform for girls. In Summer they had a green dress trimmed with white and a straw hat. The boys uniform was grey and were expected to wear black caps with red buttons on the top (lots were kept in pockets). Original photo on loan from Iris Whitehurst (Webb). On back of photograph: Form 1A 1956 "Dingoes". Iris Webb has original.williamstown high school, 1956, class photos

This photograph is part of a collection of World War II returned soldiers from Sunbury. The collection was collated by Jeff Cossum, curator of the George Evans Museum from 1989-1995.A black and white head and shoulders image of John Callaghan in summer army uniform. He is wearing an open necked cotton shirt and a turned down slouch hat with a khaki band.world war 2, uniforms, clothing and dress, portraits, armed forces, soldiers, hats, callaghan, john, cossum, jeff, george evans collection

Ref. NA4362Maroon and white quarter-inch check princess line dress. This Summer uniform has short sleeves with a V-Neck collar and zipper front (14'/35cm zipper). There are two pockets in side seams. The garment is handmade on domestic machine and hand finished.costume, children's uniform, handcrafts, dressmaking

As attached. See Ref: NA4362Maroon and white quarter inch checked cotton summer dress. This A-Line dress has a Peter Pan collar and short sleeves gathered lightly at the shoulders and has two front vertical waist darts. The back has a centre white zipper and two vertical waist darts. There are two side seam pockets. Makers label on inside back neckline - size 4.|See ND2316 and ND2404costume, children's uniform

As attached. See Ref. NA4362Red and white check Tetoron and cotton summer dress. The dress has short sleeves, shirt collar, buttoned to below the waist with four white buttons. The waist has two ties with two white buttons. There is a slit pocket on the right hand side.costume, children's uniform

Staff member and a male student on stage possibly receiving an award, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. The student is dressed in full summer uniform. shakespeare grove, presentation, award

Has a strong association with the Ballarat tram crews and yields information about the working conditions, particularly during summer weather., Has a strong association with the Ballarat tram crews and yields information about the working conditions, particularly during summer weather.Typed quarto sheet with SEC letterhead titled "Motormen & Conductors - Uniforms - Dress during Humid and Uncomfortable Summer Weather". Gives the dress code of hot weather - different between conductors and motormen (drivers). Undated, possibly 1950's as four digit telephone number. Signed by L. J. Denmead as acting Departmental Tramways Superintendent.trams, tramways, motormen, uniforms, conductors, weather

Yvonne J Knight (Bubbles) was a resident of Kew and Marysville. She was the adopted daughter of Joe and Rose White. She died on December 12 2006 and was privately cremated at Fawkner Cemetery. Blue summer dress, grey wool blazer, red cardigan, grey felt hat and badges owned by Yvonne Knight.red cross, uniforms, yvonne knight

This tunic was worn by Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC when Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.This object is well provenanced, complete and representative uniform worn by an honorary colonel of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment, a man who gave exemplary service as a serviceman, politician and diplomat.Service dress tunic, polyester summer, with yellow cord lanyard, officer badges of rank, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles collar badges, silver Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) buttons, and pilot qualification badge (wings). Neck decoration Knight Commander of British Empire (KBE) (Civilian list) (replica); ribbon bar denoting: Order of the British Empire (Civil), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 39-45 Star, Europe and Germany Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. uniform, fairbairn, vmr, raaf, honorary, ambassador, wwii, spitfire, world war two, parliament

This 1890s photograph shows the early uniform worn by Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses, (known as 'Nurse', in those days), when visiting patients to administer nursing care.The Nurse is speaking with a patient who is sitting in his back garden. It shows the style of clothing and the rear of a weatherboard house of that era. 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 (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 and clothes 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 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 a Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurse (Nurse) wearing a white apron over her grey full length uniform, and wearing a white cap. She is standing and looking down at a man dressed in a white shirt and dark jacket and pants. He is sitting outside the rear of a weatherboard house, the boards of the house are applied vertically. A wooden ladder leans against another wooden building.melbourne district nursing society, mdns uniforms, rdns, royal district nursing service, mdns