Sisterly celebrations for the Class of ‘59

A GROUP of very special women came together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their nursing training in Ballarat recently.

In April 1959, 17 young 17-year olds from Ballarat and district, the Wimmera and the Western District took their first tentative steps to join one of the noblest professions, that of nursing, when they enrolled at the Ballarat Base Hospital to commence their training.

Nurse training 60 years ago was very different to what it is today. Training for student nurses was all hospital-based. It wasn’t until 1974 that nurses were offered the opportunity to study for a degree in nursing, with La Trobe University providing the first bachelor course and by 2013 all nurses had to have a degree.

Back in 1959 the eight-week preliminary nurse training was headed up by Shirley Ogden, who later became the Matron of the Ballarat Base Hospital, a position she held from 1978 – 1986.

Jan Ross OAM, one of the 17 young student nurses, was later appointed as Chief Executive of Colac Area Health. When Ms Ross was appointed it was unusual for a nurse to be selected to a senior health administrative position.

Ms Ross said the invaluable training and advice she received from Shirley Ogden and the principal tutor Miss McKenna, herself a strict disciplinarian, instilled important fundamental values that she has always remembered.

“In nursing cleanliness is indeed next to godliness and this is never truer than today. While nurses might now not wear starched uniforms and have to undergo daily inspections, hand hygiene is vital to stop cross infection,” Ms Ross said.

“Back in 1959 we used to spend all day in the classroom to study anatomy and physiology, general nursing, bandaging, hygiene, invalid cookery and, of course, bed making.

“After eight weeks we were allocated to a ward, where we closely supervised on one of two shifts. The first started at 6am to 3.30pm, the afternoon shift from 2pm to 10 pm, with a day-and-a-half off each week.”

Over the three years of training the students worked across all the different specialties, from acute, paediatrics, orthopaedics and emergency.

Training was completed in 1962 with some qualified nurses staying on at the Base Hospital, some finding work in Melbourne and others continuing their studies in midwifery.

Senior and charge nurses were the most important people in the young students’ training, sharing knowledge, skills and years of experience.

Ms Ross said that it had been a real pleasure in her working life to continue mentoring young student nurses as they begin a life-time of nursing.

Of the 17 student nurses, 14 will be attending the celebrations to acknowledge the 1959 intake of student nurses. Each is a member of the Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League. The League meets on an annual basis to enjoy friendship and support and last year celebrated its 90th anniversary.

Members fundraise to provide scholarships and to donate to the Base Hospital.

In 1959 a student nurse earned £6.19.6 a week, with board and lodging included. Today a Registered Nurse can expect to earn $65,000 annually.

The nurses’ quarters have since been demolished with the Bolte Building erected in 1994 to provide for acute, emergency and theatres.

There are many stories that could be told about the antics of the nurses at that time, but it’s best that those stories are told amongst the nurses getting together at Craig’s Hotel to celebrate their 60-year reunion.