Historical information

A few Alfred nurses who trained in the 1880's and 1890's presented this bell, on August 3, 1931, to the Alfred Hospital Nurses League. List of names Emma F. Rice (Graduated 1888) E.M. Farie-Wright (1888), J.May (1891), Rosa J.M.Snodgrass (1897), Florence B.Lloyd-Wilson (1891) Agnes Dale-Smith (1891) Annie Russell (1889) Annie E.H.Thomson (1892)

Significance

The Nurses League was founded in 1918 for 'nurses to socialize and exchange ideas'. The League was very active and the social events notoriously noisy. The bell was presented in 1931 with a note, 'hoping it will be useful and also to show warm appreciation of our very pleasant Reunions from a few of the Trainees of the Eighties and Nineties'. The thought was to help bring the gatherings to order long enough to make announcements. It has been used extensively for this purpose over the years and most recently, at the League's centenary lunch in 2018.

Physical description

A small, engraved electroplated nickel silver metal bell. A double rim around the base and leaf shaped handle with graded spaces along the length of the handle.

Inscriptions & markings

'Presented to the Alfred Hospital Nurses League from a Few Trainees of the Eighties & Nineties.' engraved on front of body of bell. EPNS at top of back of handle