THE LAST ONE LEFT

Evening Star, Issue 21718, 12 May 1934, Page 5

THE LAST ONE LEFT

The Grand Old Lady of the Nursing Profession in Western Australia is the name by which Sister Mary Nicolay is known in Perth. Sister Mary, who is still young at 83, is a link with the past, for she is said to bo the only surviving nursing sister wbo received her training under Florence Nightingale. When only twenty she. was enrolled among her nurses, and was the youngest of the last twelve trained by the Lady of the Lamp. Nearly half a century ago she sailed from England for Australia, whein she became the first qualified matron of the Perth Hospital. Tier cheerful figure in its blue uniform is still iuniliar in the town, and she often entertains her friends with amusing experiences. In the early days in Perth she nursed leprosy, and she did splendid work during an epidemic of smallpox, when the patients had to bo isolated in a temporary hospital in the hush. As is the case with many people who have (lone fine things, the most difficult subject to persuade Sister Alary to talk about is herself, and at any word of praise she invariably says: “Well, 1 only tried to do my duty.” This worthy successor of Florence Nightingale went through the Boer War. In South Africa she was in charge of the West Australian Nursing Contingent, which did fine service to this country. Since she retired Sister Mary has taken an active interest in the progress of her profession, and has also given time to good works of another amd.