The Australian Nurse and her Outfit

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XI, Issue 2, 1 April 1918, Page 83

The Australian Nurse and her Outfit

To every nurse who goes on active service the New South Wales Division of the Australian Red Cross provides the following equipment : — Hot Water bag, deck chair, cushion, sheets, towels, pillowslips, etc., mosquito-net if required, bloomers, grey cardigan, parcel of old linen. This equipment is given to each individual nurse, m addition to £10 each m cash. In addition, cases are supplied to the sister m charge , containing mixed comforts such as dressingjackets, haberdashery, scissors, thermometers, books, games, etc. Also cases containing assorted groceries, such as tea, cocoa, condensed milk, biscuits, etc., to vary their diet on the ship. With a grant of £20 from the New South Wales Government for her outfit, the Australian nurse is very comfortably provided for when she leaves on active service. The New South Wales branch of the Australian Red Cross has most generously given to those New Zealand nurses who have passed through Sydney on thei Way to the front, a similar parcel of gifts as to their oWn nurses. The hon. secretary lately m New Zealand, Wishes every N.Z. nurse m Sydney to call at the Red Cross rooms so that arrangements can bo made to entertain her and show her round the city.

In a letter from the Superintendent of the Army Nurses' Club, 15 North Terrace, Adelaide, she acknowledges the receipt of "Kaj Tiaki" With appreciation. A copy of each issue will be sent m future for the Club. As before notified, New Zealand nurses are cordially invited to visit and use this Club if m Adelaide. Mrs. Kelly gives the following interesting items : — Wo have recently raised £(,000 for our Army Nursos' Lund, which was started two years ago to assist army nurses. As each nurse leaves for the front we give her £10 and a box of comforts for the voyage. When she returns, if sick, we pay lor her to have a holiday ; wo have no home, and we think this is a better way to manage. At Christmas we send parcels to all South Australian

nurses abroad. We also help to furnish the nurses' quarters at tho military hospitals. Last September Lady Helen Munro lergusson unveiled a roll of honour to the S.A. Army Nurses. It was a grand day ; over 2CO names are on the roll of honour, which now hangs m the Town Hall, and was donated by the sailors and soldiers of South Australia. One day last year 800 (all going to Salonica) Army Sisters passed through Adelaide on their way to the front. They were all entertained by the Army Nurses Club, which provided lunch and aftfemoon tea m the Exhibition Building. In the morning there was a procession through tho streets of the City, and m the afternoon nearly 100 motor cars took the nurses for a trip m the hills. Certainly m Australia much more is done outside the army for the nurses who have to nurse the sick and Wounded, than is attempted m New Zealand. The small allowance of £15 15s for uniform, given by the Government, might well be supple mented m this Way, either by the Red Cross or some other patriotic society. In regaid to returned sick nurses, they are here fairly Well provided for by the Defence Department. They are kept on sick leave with full pay and two hillings a day m addition as sick allowance for the requisite period, and if not requiring hospital treatment , are sent to their homes. When fit for service again they are granted three Weeks privilege leave, also on full pay, and With a first-class railway privilege pass all over the Dominion for three Weeks, and free meals at the Government railway refreshment rooms. If not fit for service after varying periods of from one month to three or even four months, they are boarded and recommended for discharge on pension for from three to six months or a year. The pension granted is usually £2 per Week, and if an attendant is necessary (as m one case at present) the sum of £1 per Week is allowed. If the nurse has any dependent , certain sums are al o allowed. This is liberal treatment, and is on the lilies for office's equivalent to Ist lieiitenant and captain.