This photograph depicts the Sister-in-charge with a group of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS,) Trained nurses, 'Nurses", with their bicycles, which were the first mode of transport purchased by MDNS in 1903. The bicycles enabled their Nurses to visit more patients over a wider area. They are identified as: L-R back row: Trained Nurses Taylor, Steele, Francis, Young. L-R front row: Isobel Curnow, Annie Roberts, Isabel Hawkes (Sister in Charge), Becker. Their uniforms were a grey cotton dress with white collar, cuffs and belt and their was a red Maltese cross on their pith helmets. They gave nursing care to the poor in the inner Melbourne and close surrounding areas (districts). On the 17th of February 1885, just 50 years after Melbourne was founded, a preliminary meeting of ladies and gentlemen who were anxious to form a society to provide "skilled nursing" for the sick poor in their own homes was held in Mrs William McCulloch’s home at Spring Street, Melbourne. At this meeting it was decided “that the association would be called the Melbourne District Nursing Society”, the first Society of its kind in Australia, and “that the special object of the Society shall be to secure skilled nursing for the sick poor in their own homes”. On the 16th of March a Committee was formed to “arrange for engaging one "duly qualified nurse”. On the 1st of May 1885 a Nurse, Mrs. Ferguson, was employed at £100 per annum, and a second Nurse, Mrs. Joanne Cannon, commenced six months later. In that era the term ‘Nurse’ was used even though they were ‘qualified’ i.e. ‘trained’ nurses. 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. They provided high quality Trained nursing care; educated their patients in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of cleanliness, fresh air and good nutrition, both by verbal instruction and demonstration, even supplying soup and milk when needed, as well as providing wood and coal in the winter. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. In 1913 a Nurse had her Board and residence, uniforms, bicycles and laundry expensive provided and was paid £50 a year for her first six months. At the end of a year her salary is increased by £5, and later she earns £60 a year. Over the years the nurses complained that 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. Sepia photograph of eight Melbourne District Nursing Society Trained nurses posing with their bicycles in a park; some are partly hidden. Nurse's uniforms consist of long grey dresses with white belts, cuffs and collars and white pith helmets with a Maltese cross in the centre. Oblong leather nursing bags of varying sizes are strapped to five of the bicycles. In the centre is Sister-in-charge – Mrs Hawkes (in white); to her left are 4 Nurses and to her right 3. L-R – Front row – Trained Nurses Curnow, Roberts, (Hawkes) and Becker. Back row – Nurses Taylor, Steele, Francis and Young. Trees and a palm are in the background. The bicycles have 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 (1885-1957), bicycles, nurses, uniforms, mdns, mdns transport, rdns, royal district nursing service, trained nurse annie roberts, sister-in-charge isabel hawkes, trained nurse taylor, trained nurse steele, trained nurse francis, trained nurse young, trained nurse becker, trained nurse isobel curnow

This certificate is part of the Lawless Collection. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for service in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years.These personal documents, photographs and books give an insight into the human element of World War 1 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and died while playing a vital role during this time are remembered.A communion and baptism certificate for Edward Vincent Lawless. It is dated 25th May 1911. The communion took place at St James Church Orbost. This communion certificate is part of the Lawless collection.certificate lawless-family religious-text baptism ww1

In 1922 a Memorial Scroll was presented to the next of kin of those soldiers, sailors, and nurses who died while serving in the Australian Imperial Force or Royal Australian Navy during the First World War. Later they were presented with a Next of Kin Memorial Plaque. This was presented to Edward Lawless' mother, Elizabeth Lawless. This certificate is part of the Lawless Collection. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for serv ice in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years. On October 9, he was first recorded as missing in action and then confirmed killed in action. He was initially buried at Tyne Cot British Cemetry and then exhumed and buried at Passchendaele New British Cemetry, Plot 14, Row 2, Grave 2. Correspondence in his file dated April 7, 1925 providing the grave details show that his mother was still seeking that information. It was possibly due to the fact that his body was exhumed and reburied. While there is no correspondence to his mother about this move on file, the correspondence that is there indicates she had not received the specific information on his grave until 1925.These personal documents, medals, photographs and books give an insight into the human element of World War 1 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and died while playing a vital role during this time are remembered.A death notice or memorial scroll which has the British Coat of Arms at the top and a message paying tribute to the soldiers who gave up "their own lives that others might live in freedom". The text is printed in calligraphic script beneath the Royal Crest followed by the name of the commemorated serviceman giving his rank, name and regiment. The scroll was sent on December 20, 1921. At the bottom - Pte. Edward Vincent Lawless 21st Ba. A.I.F.lawless-family certificate death-scroll ww1

These medals are part of the Lawless Collection. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for serv ice in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years. The British War Medal was a medal given to people who had fought in the First World War. The Victory Medal (also called the Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a First World War campaign medal of Britain and her then colonies and dominions which included Australia.These personal documents, photographs, medals and books give an insight into the human element of World War 1 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and died while playing a vital role during this time are remembered.Two medals in recognition of service during WW1. 1846.3 is a silver medal a WW1 1914-18 British War Medal. Obverse: Bare head of King George V facing left; text around, 'GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:'; the artist's initials 'B.M.' (Bertram MacKennal) are on the neck truncation. Reverse: Naked figure of St. George on horseback advancing right trampling a shield bearing an eagle design and a skull and crossbone. It has a blue/white/orange striped ribbon attached. 1846.4 is a gold coloured medal. The obverse in the medal shows the winged, full-length, full-front, figure of 'Victory' with her left arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand. The reverse has the words ‘THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914-1919' in four lines, all surrounded by a laurel wreath. It has a purple/blue/green/yellow and orange striped ribbon attached.medals ww1 lawless-family

These books are part of the Lawless Collection. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for serv ice in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years.These personal documents, photographs, medals and books give an insight into the human element of World War 1 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and died while playing a vital role during this time are remembered.Three books used by Edward Vincent Lawless during his service in WW1. 1846.5 has a black cover and contains hand-written notes and diagrams in an exercise book. 1846.6 has a purple cover and contains hand-written notes on bombing. 1846.7 is a small book with a black cover and a ribbon for tying closed. It contains signalling notes1846.5 Edward Lawless 1846.6 E.V. Lawless 1846.7 Ted Lawless A Group Signalling 6th Battalion 22/6 Lark Hill School No 5 Camp No 5 Camp B Coylawless-family ww1 books signalling

These photographs are part of the Lawless Collection. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for serv ice in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years.These personal documents, photographs and books give an insight into the human element of World War 1 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and died while playing a vital role during this time are remembered.Four black and white copies of photographs of the Lawless family. 1846.8 is a photograph of Ted Lawless. 1846.9 is a photograph of Ruby Lawless Wallace and Ray Lawless at Elizabeth Lawless' house. 1846.10 is a photograph of the Lawless family at the Boundary Road house in Orbost.1846.8 on back - Ted Lawless 1846.9 on back - Ruby Lawless 1846.10 on back - Family with Elizabeth 1846.11 on back - Grandmother 21st Battalion Wallace wife at Home Boundary Rd Lawless AIF & Ray at Grandma Orbost Lawless House It is still there Orbost? Ray Lawless June 2010photographs lawless-family

This reference is part of the Lawless Collection. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for serv ice in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW1. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years.These personal documents, photographs and books give an insight into the human element of World War 1 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and died while playing a vital role during this time are remembered.A photocopy of a reference given to Edward Lawless when he enlisted for service in WW1.It is signed by J.Y. McCoy his employer.Signed by J. Y. McCoy General Blacksmiths Wolseley Street Orbost June 20 1916lawless-family reference ww1 mccoy-blacksmith

This is a photograph of Elizabeth Lawless on her 102nd birthday. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for service in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years.The Lawless family was a prominent family in Orbost in the early 20th century.A large black / white photograph of an elderly lady seated and holding a cup of, with biscuit. She has a shawl draped over her shoulders.

These letters were received by Henry James of Orbost. Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district. He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF. They concern a fund established to raise money to bring the three sons of Jennings Carmichael to Australia. A committee established by Henry Gyles Turner, a a notable Australian banker and historian, was formed to raise funds to bring the boys to Australia. Grace Elizabeth Jennings Carmichael (1867-1904), poet and nurse, was born on 24 February 1867 at Ballarat, Victoria, daughter of Archibald Carmichael, a miner from Perthshire, Scotland, and his wife Margaret Jennings, née Clark, from Cornwall, England. . She was educated at Melbourne and while still a child went to live on a station at Orbost, and grew up close to the bush she came to love so much. In 1888 she went to Melbourne to be trained as a nurse at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and in 1891 published a small volume of prose sketches, Hospital Children. Having qualified she obtained a position on a station near Geelong, and subsequently married Francis Mullis. She contributed verse to the Australasian, and in 1895 Poems by Jennings Carmichael was published. She lived for a time in South Australia and then went to London, where she died in poor circumstances in 1904. Her husband, Henry Mullis, was last recorded in the workhouse in Woolrich, but then disappeared leaving the three children- Geoffrey 7 yrs, (Thomas) Clive 5 yrs & 4 year old (Archibald) Keith and one year old (Rupert) Wyatt, destitute & were sent to the Northampton workhouse, (Thomas ) Clive dying in 1906. In 1910, a group of Carmichael's admirers, discovered the whereabouts of her children, where a public fund was established to bring the children to Australia, the Victorian Government giving them free passage, arriving in Victoria in October of 1910. The children were placed in private homes and took on their mother's single name of Carmichael. In 1910 a small selection of her poems was published, in 1937 a plaque to her memory was unveiled at Orbost in the Mechanics Institute ( reg. 554), and a year later a replica was placed in the public library at Ballarat. Two of Jennings Carmichael's sons were present at the ceremony.Jennings Carmichael, a leading Australian poet spent much of her childhood in Orbost.Several letter written to H. James concerning the Jennings Carmichael Children's Fund. Stapled to one letter is a typed article about the Jennings Carmichael Children's Fund written by Frank a. Russell. The other letter is a three page stapled handwritten letter from St Oswald's, Ormond College, seeking information about Jennings Carmichael.james-henry jennings-carmichael correspondence

Grace Elizabeth Jennings Carmichael (1867-1904), poet and nurse, was born on 24 February 1867 at Ballarat, Victoria, daughter of Archibald Carmichael, a miner from Perthshire, Scotland, and his wife Margaret Jennings, née Clark, from Cornwall, England. . She was educated at Melbourne and while still a child went to live on a station at Orbost, and grew up close to the bush she came to love so much. In 1888 she went to Melbourne to be trained as a nurse at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and in 1891 published a small volume of prose sketches, Hospital Children. Having qualified she obtained a position on a station near Geelong, and subsequently married Francis Mullis. She contributed verse to the Australasian, and in 1895 Poems by Jennings Carmichael was published. She lived for a time in South Australia and then went to London, where she died in poor circumstances in 1904. Her husband, Henry Mullis, was last recorded in the workhouse in Woolrich, but then disappeared leaving the three children- Geoffrey 7 yrs, (Thomas) Clive 5 yrs & 4 year old (Archibald) Keith and one year old (Rupert) Wyatt, destitute & were sent to the Northampton workhouse, (Thomas ) Clive dying in 1906. In 1910, a group of Carmichael's admirers, discovered the whereabouts of her children, where a public fund was established to bring the children to Australia, the Victorian Government giving them free passage, arriving in Victoria in October of 1910. The children were placed in private homes and took on their mother's single name of Carmichael. In the late 1930s, plaques were unveiled in Orbost & Ballarat in honor of Grace Jennings Carmichael. The one in Orbost was part of the "Back To' celebrations. It hung in Mechanics' Institute in Orbost.This is significant to the Orbost region in that it is associated with a woman who is certainly our foremost female poet. A bronze cast memorial plaque set onto a wooden backing board. The plaque has an image of a woman, a candle and a book, and also some text (see below).Grace Jennings Carmichael, Australian poetess, 1868-1904, spent her childhood in this district, erected by Mrs G A Hunter & a few admirers.memorial-plaque grace-jennings-carmichael orbost-poet

Photo1872, medical board, certificate, joseph francis usher

Photosr, moran, 1923, sovereign remedies

Circa WW2 1940 - 1945. Used for RAAF Trainee pilots for Wirraway and Tiger Moth training. This helmet belonged to Francis Robertson, trainee RAAF Pilot who crashed his aircraft into Nurse Carter's residence at Chiltern (May 30th, 1943) whilst on a training flight from Advanced Training Squadron Deniliquin NSW. The Helmet is associated with Francis Robertson WW2 RAAF Pilot, trained at Number 7 Flying School Deniliquin NSW. Khaki Canvas and metal helmet used in WW2 circa 1943 for trainee pilots of Wirrway's and Tiger moths. Made of sturdy heavy duty canvas with some metal underlay, leather and sheepskin straps, brass attachment buckles. Name of the trainee Pilot : "Robertson". nurse carter's chiltern residence plane crash 1943, ww2 raaf pilot francis robertson

This photograph is taken in a room in the RDNS Heidelberg Centre. The Sisters are demonstrating a lifting technique to staff members. The Sisters are wearing their RDNS winter uniforms which are a blue/grey skivvie under a blue/grey V neck tunic style herringbone winter material dress with the RDNS insignia on the upper left. From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in 1885, known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, the rehabilitation of patients to insure they were able to live independently in their own homes was at the forefront of care given by their Trained nurses. As well as teaching and supervising the use of equipment, their Trained nurses taught them safe transfer techniques. These techniques were also taught to family members to enable them to care for their loved ones. RDNS at first held workshops given by a contracted private Physiotherapist, before employing their own Physiotherapist in 1975, who taught staff the correct transfer techniques, not only for safety of the patient, but to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and patient’s family members. When required the Physiotherapist accompanied the Sister on her visit to the patient in their home.Black and white photograph of three Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters demonstrating a safe bed transfer. From Left to Right is the side on view of Sisters Daphne Geldard, who has short dark curled hair with her left arm around the back of Sister Elizabeth Francis, and her right arm under her legs. Sister Francis has short dark hair and is smiling. She has her right arm over the shoulders of Sr. Geldard, and her left arm is over the shoulder of Sr. Bev Armstrong. Her buttocks are slightly off the bed which has a white pillow and grey blanket. Sr. Armstrong is facing both Sisters. She has short straight blonde hair and has her eyes closed. She has her right arm around the back of Sr. Frances and her left arm is under her legs. The three Sisters are wearing light coloured skivvies under a darker V neck tunic style dress with the RDNS insignia on the upper left. Barry Sutton's Photographer's Stamp. Reprint Quote Number: KY22 Handwritten on back of photo are the names of the RDNS staff members and the location is Heidelberg Centrerdns, royal district nursing service, rdns uniform, rdns physiotherapist, rdns centre, sister daphne geldard, sister elizabeth francis, sister bev armstrong

Mrs P.. Cosh is a private Physiotherapist contracted by RDNS to educate RDNS nursing staff in safe transferring techniques. This photograph is taken in the Heidelberg Centre. The RDNS Sisters are wearing their winter uniforms of a blue/grey skivvie under a blue/grey V neck tunic style herringbone winter material dress,From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in 1885, known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, the rehabilitation of patients to insure they were able to live independently in their own homes was at the forefront of care given by their Trained nurses. As well as teaching and supervising the use of equipment, their Trained nurses taught them safe transfer techniques. These techniques were also taught to family members to enable them to care for their loved ones. RDNS at first held workshops given by a contracted private Physiotherapist before employing their own Physiotherapist in 1975 who taught staff the correct techniques, not only for safety of the patient, but to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and patient’s family members. When required the Physiotherapist accompanied the Sister on her visit to the patient in their home.On the left in the black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister Elizabeth Francis, who has curled dark hair and is kneeling on a mat looking down at Sr. Bev. Armstrong, who has straight blonde hair and is lying on a mat on the floor with her head resting on a white pillow and her right arm resting across her body. Behind and slightly to the right of Sr. Armstrong is Sr. Daphne Geldard who has short dark curled hair. She is kneeling on the mat and looking down at Sr. Armstrong. To her right is Physiotherapist Mrs. P. Cosh, who has dark short curled hair and is wearing a check suite. She is looking at Sr. Armstrong and has her left hand resting on the out edge of Sr. Armstrong's right hand. The RDNS Sisters are wearing a light coloured skivvie under a darker V neck tunic style dress. A closed wooden door is behind the Sisters with pale walls either side. Lino tiles are on the floor either side the mat on which Sr. Armstrong lay.Barry Sutton Photographer's Stamp, Quote KY28, names of staff hand written on back of photographrdns, royal district nursing service, nurses uniforms, rdns physiotherapist, sister elizabeth francis, sister bev armstrong, sister daphne geldard, mrs p. cosh

Miss Kosch is a private physiotherapist contracted by RDNS. She is at RDNS Heidelberg Centre teaching RDNS staff a safe method of lifting and transferring Sr. Geldard from a chair. From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in 1885, known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, the rehabilitation of patients to insure they were able to live independently in their own homes was at the forefront of care given by their Trained nurses. As well as teaching and supervising the use of equipment, their Trained nurses taught them safe transfer techniques. These techniques were also taught to family members to enable them to care for their loved ones. RDNS at first held workshops given by a contracted private Physiotherapist before employing their own Physiotherapist in 1975 who taught staff the correct techniques, not only for safety of the patient, but to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and patient’s family members. When required the Physiotherapist accompanied the Sister on her visit to the patient in their home.Standing in the rear left of the black and white photograph is Ms Kosch, who has short curled dark hair and is wearing a check suit. She is looking down at Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Sister (Sr) Daphne Geldard, who has collar length curled dark hair, and is seated in front of her on a padded kitchen type chair. To Sr. Geldard's right, standing, is Sr Elizabeth Francis who has short dark curled hair and is bending forward with her arms outstretched under Sr. Geldard's armpits. She has her right leg braced against Sr. Geldard's right knee Sr Bev. Armstrong, who has short blonde hair, is standing at the right rear observing the procedure. The three Sisters are wearing a grey skivvie under a darker V neck tunic style dress with the RDNS insignia on the upper left. A black below knee boot is seen on Sr. Geldard's right leg. A closed dark wooden door with a white surround is behind Ms Kosch and to its right another chair is seen against the wall. Photographers stamp , names of staff, date and location. Quote KY 35rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns uniform, rdns physiotherapy, sister elizabeth francis, sister daphne geldard, sister bev armstrong, ms kosch

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989. The book "The First of its Kind" was published in 2015. Printed in Bendigo by "Bendigo Modern Press". Memories compiled by Peter Rosewall; who attended the last NDSN school PTS 108 between 1986 - 89.Six typed pages about the Kerrigan family from Mildura. Four of the siblings trained from 1970. Kathleen Kerrigan School 76 trained at St John of God hospital. Francis went to School 90, Michelle to school 106. James began his training in school 97. All completed general nursing. The story begins with Kathleens training, but most information is about Francis and James. James was a male nurse who completed his training at Lister House, but the males were accommodated away from the female trainees. Francis went on to do midwifery and later psychiatric nursing and Janes worked in Private Investigation. Also included are two photographs of firstly school 95, Group 2 1980 and School 96, Group 1 1980. There is information about being a male trainee nurse in a mostly female occupation.Six pages of photographs and questions and answers about nursing. nursing, student nurses, ndsn, male nurses in training, lister house