The inaugural meeting of the Ballarat District Nursing Society was called by the Mayor of the City of Ballarat and Mayor of the Town of Ballarat East at the Town Hall on April 7th 1911, with the Mayoress Mrs T. T. Hollway presiding.
The formation of the Society was assisted by the Geelong and Melbourne District Nursing organisations from which the Rules of Association were adapted.
Members of the Ballarat Clergy, the Jewish community, the Town and City Mission and the medical profession took a great interest in the Society with the doctors referring patients for care. Membership of the Society was fixed at one shilling per annum. The Ballarat Dispensary promised to supply all medicines required free of cost for at least the first year, but was honoured this commitment considerable number of years during the early days of the Society.
Ten ladies were elected to the Executive Committee and the first District Nurse, Nurse Reeves, was appointed on the 14th May 1911. A free tram pass was issued to Nurse Reeves for patients on a tram route. For patients not on the tram route a bicycle was purchased or she walked. Nurse Reeves reported to the Committee monthly, her visits usually between 160 and 224 per month. She was empowered to provide other benefits to people suffering hard times e.g. food and sometimes clothing. She filled the role of District Nurse, Welfare Officer, Clerical Assistant collecting the money from patients, and all telephone calls were made to her personal phone.
The first District Nurse, Nurse Reeves, was appointed on the 14th May 1911. A free tram pass was issued to Nurse Reeves for patients who lived on a tram route. For patients not on the tram route a bicycle was purchased or she walked. Nurse Reeves reported to the Committee monthly, her visits usually between 160 and 224 per month. She was empowered to provide other benefits to people suffering hard times e.g. food and sometimes clothing. She filled the role of District Nurse, Welfare Officer and Clerical Assistant collecting the money from patients. All telephone calls were made to her home phone.
In 1914 Nurse Reeves resigned and Nurse Annie Roberts took up the position. In 1915 Nurse Roberts enlisted in the First World War, serving on several hospital ships and in March 1916 attained promotion to Sister Roberts.
Also in 1938 Mrs Lena Trevenen commenced her long association as a member of the Committee. She became a stalwart of the Society working in a voluntary capacity for 46 years, 30 of which she served as Secretary (also assuming the role of Treasurer when required).
For a long period of time the Society was run from her home in Barkly Street, where the Nurses obtained their lists for the day. Stores and records of the Society were also kept at her home. Mrs Trevenen's lounge room became the main office, but by 1960 it was decided this could no longer continue and the Committee decided there was a need for a headquarters in Ballarat.
By 1971 the number of nurses had increased to nine with an additional three administration staff. By 1973 the number of nurses had increased to the extent that a request went to the Hospitals and Charities Commission for more administrative staff. Ten nurses and three clerical persons were employed at this time with 2,240 visits being made to patients during a one month period. The Society continued in this way until 1993, when there were around forty nurses working out of twenty five vehicles and the Armstrong Street building was unable to cope with the increased numbers.
1818 Sturt StreetThe Society moved to the current address at 1818 Sturt Street in 1993, taking over a factory building with a large area which could accommodate the number of motor vehicles. The Sturt Street building has been enlarged and renovated twice, once in 1995 and again in 1997 to accommodate growth and now the organisation is looking at a third enlargement which should take into account increasing staff numbers and future needs for the next 10 years.
BDNH Today In 2002 the name of the organisation was changed to Ballarat District Nursing and Healthcare in consideration of the increased range of services provided, and a new logo was developed to encourage the abbreviation of the name to BDNH. A Manager was appointed in 1994, and our present CEO was appointed in 2001. Presently there are 73 staff employed, 52 of whom are nurses, and our current fleet of motor vehicles remains at 26. In 2004 we travelled over 400,000 kilometres providing 63,900 visits to 1,622 clients. The financial turnover for the year was $3.7 million.
Some things don't changeThe role of Ballarat District Nursing and Healthcare is still essentially the same as it was 94 years ago. We provide home nursing and associated care to clients who are referred by their GP, family members or themselves. This care enables people at risk of hospitalisation or residential care to remain independent at home. The focus of the nursing care is increasingly guided by a broader understanding of health, which considers the well-being of clients and promotes independence and self-management.
