Nurses meet to talk training days

GENERATIONS of Ballarat nurses gathered together on Remembrance Day for a different kind of reminiscence.

Earlier this month saw the 94th annual general meeting and reunion of the Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League and about 100 attendees took part.

The group’s treasurer and projects officer Trina Jones said the occasion is usually a well-received one.

“People came from all over the countryside, past trainees as well as VIPs from the hospital,” she said.

“In the evening we had a dinner which was more informal. It’s always great for everyone to get together and have a chat about the old days.

“That’s what it’s all about, getting these people with a common link together, networking, having a good time, and reminiscing with one another.”

As part of the event, league members awarded their $2000 Joanne Gilbert Scholarship to Amy Ritchie representing Grampians Health’s Obstetric Ultrasound Collaborative’s eight midwives.

Donations were also made toward the Ballarat Health Services Foundation Fund and the Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League Samaritan Fund.

Grampians Health oncology nurse practitioner Sue Bartlett served as guest speaker during the event and spoke about her career and the research being undertaken in her field.

A minute’s silence was had for league nurses who served in wartime conflicts and for those who have passed.

Ms Jones has been attending the reunions since the early 1970s after completing her training at Ballarat Base Hospital’s nursing school, and said there’s a rich history to the reunion.

“This started with people who trained at the hospital back in the 1920s as a way to network and socialise with the people they trained with,” she said.

“The students would live in the nurse’s home until 1988 when it moved out to the university. Most of the people from the league are people who trained at the hospital until that time.

“These reunions have been going on for a number of years. We’re hoping to at least get to 100.”