Ipswich Hospital Nurses’ Association
This photo is believed to be the first annual meeting of the association in 1951.
Thirty years since the last hospital trained nurse graduated, the Ipswich Hospital Nurses’ Association (formerly the Ipswich Hospital Trained Nurses’ Association) has wound up, 72 years since its beginning in July 1950.
The initial officer bearers were Mrs W.McLean (President); Miss N. Beattie and M.Barnett (Vice-Presidents); Miss C. Evans (Secretary); Mrs E. Mills (Treasurer). Others present at the inaugural meeting were: Mrs McBarron, Mrs White, Mrs Fawdrey (Committee); M.A. Williams, E.Bryce, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Tunstall, Mrs Harris, Mrs McDonnell, Mrs G.Morton, Mrs Windle, Mrs Nichol, Mrs Orr, Mrs Jackson, Misses Barnett, G.Hall, C.Jones, Hartwick, Saunders, Kennedy, Nurses Payne, Phillips, Webber, Heers and Bennett.
The annual subscription was set at 2/6.
The first annual reunion was held on 27 September 1950.
On 14 February 1951, Miss A.E. Wilcox, hospital matron, became the Patroness and held that position until her passing in 1979. Dr D. Trumpy was the Patron until his passing on the eve of the annual meeting in 1971. The deputy premier, Dr Llew Edwards MLA, was then welcomed as the new patron.
The first annual meeting was held in the nurses’ recreation hut in the hospital grounds on 11 July 1951.
Following the death of Sister Kitty (Catherine) Evans, the association instituted a public appeal on 18 May 1955 to raise money as a memorial fund. This was in the form of a prize given annually to a graduate nurse completing general training.
In 1967 instead of the annual meeting, a farewell luncheon was held for Miss Wilcox, Matron of IGH for 33 years, and Dr Trumpy, Medical Superintendent for 47 years. Over 200 people attended and the association presented both guests of honour with flowers and cheques.
On 11 September 1974 the memorial portrait of the late Dr Trumpy was unveiled at the annual meeting by the artist, Miss Lola McCausland.
The following year, a Theatre night was held to raise funds for the commission of a portrait of Miss Wilcox. The theatre evenings continued to be an enjoyable annual social event.
In 1961, a newsletter was commenced which was sent annually to members.
The association was not profit-making and did little fundraising, but did make donations to various organisations – eg Ipswich Hospital School of Nursing Library, Blue Nurses, Bush Nurses and Asthma Foundation.
In 1958 membership rose to 5/- and in 1981 to $2. In recent years it has been $4 per year.
Miss Winning was made the first life member in 1960 and then Miss Marjorie Barnett was the second in 1961.
The organisation’s name was changed to Ipswich Hospital Nurses’ Association in September 1987 and opened to all nurses (registered nurses, assistant nurses and enrolled nurses) who had worked at Ipswich General.
On 23 March 1988 the Patroness, Lady Leone Edwards, passed away and the following year a memorial rose garden was planted in the hospital grounds.
Besides the annual theatre night other annual activities included the annual meeting and luncheon in September, a Christmas meeting in November and a May evening meeting.
The Silver Jubilee was an important milestone in 1975. 115 members and visitors attended including a number of foundation members. The day also marked the 50th anniversary of the day that a number of members had commenced their training. One of the foundation members related a story about activities in the hospital kitchen the night before the first meeting when they were busy preparing food for the big day. A batch of marshmallows was left in the sink to cool. Patron (and Matron) Miss Wilcox came to help and seeing the cooling marshmallow threw it out, thinking it was dirty water.
Dr Llew Edwards MLA and Minister of Health (later Patron of the Association) spoke of the hospital history and the nursing career of Miss Wilcox. Dr Edwards had a close association with the hospital for many years – he had been a young electrician working at the hospital and then became a doctor. His wife, Leonie, was an Ipswich Hospital trained nurse and a member of the association. The Edwards became Patron and Patroness in later years.
Dr Edwards unveiled the portrait of Miss Wilcox, painted by Miss Lola McCausland. Miss McCausland’s mother, also an artist, had presented a portrait of Florence Nightingale, which she painted in 1914. This was accepted by Miss Elvery.
A 50 year anniversary reunion was held on September 9, 2000 with 150 attendees expected.
At the final gathering of the association on July 30, 2022 only 20 members attended. The president, Ruby Shillito, spoke about the history of the association; the current status and changes to nursing at IGH and the impact of Covid-19 and population increase; and the achievements of many Ipswich trained nurses. She thanked all committee members over the years with special mention of Shirley Brown for her lengthy time as president, and her colleagues. She said it was sad to farewell the association but because everyone’s focus had changed it could not be kept alive.
Nurses who trained in the 1930s-40s attending Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1975.
Members attending the final gathering on July 31 2022
