N.Z. Nurses for the Australian Army Nursing Service

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 2, 1 April 1915, Page 69

N.Z. Nurses for the Australian Army Nursing Service

It will be remembered that as a result of the interview between a deputation from the N.Z. Trained Nurses' Association and the Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, m January, a cable was sent to the Defence Minister of the Commonwealth, asking if some New Zealand nurses might be included m subsequent detachments of Australian nurses to the war. There did not at that time seem any likelihood of nurses being accepted from New Zealand for service by the War Office. The Commonwealth Government have very courteously remembered this request from our Government, and the call came very suddenly by a cable, on March 25th, m which, the Matron-in-Chief , Miss Maclean, was asked if twelve New Zealand nurses — two sisters and ten nurses could be ready to sail for Melbourne on March 31st. Telegrams were immediately despatched to each centre, for its quota towards this contingent, and although many of those on the Reserve and Volunteer List who were due for the next call, had to be telegraphed to from the centres, and were informed that it was possible that they might have to pay their own fares to Melbourne, and expenses preceding embarkation there, the necessary twelve were ready to sail on the appointed date, which was April Ist, from Wellington, by the " Ulimaroa," for Sydney direct. Good positions were vacated at very short notice, by more than one of these nurses, and the despatch with which they arranged their private affairs and reported themselves as ready to sail would be difficult to surpass. Kind friends on this occasion proved their friendship m many practical ways ; for instance, when it

was known that Sister Scott, at the Auckland Hospital was among the chosen, working bees were immediately organised by the nurses, with the result that m a very short space of time, her wardrobe was overhauled for her, and received all necessary laundry and needlework attention, and everything else that would facilitate her preparation for departure was eagerly undertaken by willing hands. Miss Fraser was m town on Monday for particulars, and had to get back to Dargaville to arrange for the conduct of her private hospital during her absence, was faced with the difficulty of getting back to Auckland m time to catch the last express on Wednesday, which would enable her to catch the Sydney boat, there being no available boat down the river m time. This was, however, not to be allowed to keep her back, and some Dargaville gentlemen friends not only launched her all the way from Dargaville to Helensville, an eight hours' trip, but motored her from Helensville to Auckland, another eighty-odd miles. She was also presented with a lovely gold wristlet watch. The nurses selected so hurriedly were : Misses Elizabeth White, Alice Fraser, Ethel Dement, Grace Guthrie, Helen Brown, Cora Turnbull, Jessie Verby, Hilda Steele, Elsie Cooke, Nora Fitzgibbon, Dorothy Rose, Emily Scott. The rate of pay for the Australian Army Nursing Service is less than m the New Zealand Service ; being 6s. a day for sisters, and 3s. 4d. a day for nurses, plus the usual 3s. 6d. a day field allowance for both when full board is not otherwise provided. The other conditions of service require stringent medical examination, all pelvic

and renal affections particularly disqualifying. The age limit required was between twenty-five and thirty -five, and only those trained m hospitals of 100 beds or more were to be accepted, so of course m selecting, 'the only hospitals that could be considered -'were those at the four centres, and Napier and Hamilton. We were glad to learn that our Government paid the nurses' fares to Melbourne : also salary and allowance, according to the Australian rates, so that they would not be out of pocket as a result of their eager response to this call for active service on behalf of the country.

In a letter received from one of the twelve New Zealand nurses who joined the Australian contingent, there is warm appreciation of the kindness they have received. On arrival they were met by the Matron of the Sydney Hospital and accommodation was provided, for those who had not friends to go to. Uniforms and other necessaries had to be seen to immediately and a busy time of shopping took up several days, the firm responsible for the making of the uniforms (David Jones and Co.), presenting

each nurse with a black silk umbrella. At the Sydney Hospital the Matron gave each member of the band a parcel of necessaries from the Red Cross Society. Orders had been received that they were to embark on April 13th for Melbourne where the remainder of the contingent was to be picked up. The writer states that nothing could exceed the kindness of the Australian nurses, who have shown not a trace of jealousy or resentment at New Zealand being thus represented m the Commonwealth contingent — a spirit which speaks well for the women who are banded together m the same splendid common cause.

Extract from letter of one of the nurses sent to join the Australian contingent : — " We have received instructions to remain m Sydney until Monday, 12th April. At present we are having our uniforms made,, also, supplying ourselves with camp outfit, stretclier ; mattress, etc. We are residing at three of the Sydney Nurses' Clubs, and are all well and happy despite the very wet weather. We are having a busy time, as all baggage has to be on board by Friday afternoon."