WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 136, 26 February 1918, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from page 2.) , A DISTINGUISHED CAREER AUSTRALIAN NURSE AND HER WORK. One of the six Victorian women who left Australia with the first army nursing unit now occupies a distinguished position in the service. She is Miss E. A. Conyers, Matron-in-Chief of the Australian Army Nursing Service, Australian Imperial Forces, who is enjoying six months' furlough in Australia (says the "Herald"). Miss Conyers has charge of all the Australian nurses on active service, with the exception of those stationed in India. This means that she controls a corps of 1700 nurses. She has to keep in touch with the Australian military hospitals and casualty clearing stations in France, in addition to the Australian hospitals and various nurses' quarters in Britain. It is work that demands exceptional administrative ability, and a thorough knowledge of nursing. A matron-in-chief must marshal her forces so that the nursing Bkill of each of her staff can be utilised to the hest advantage. She needs good judgment. On her rests the responsibility of selecting 'nurses for positions of the highest trust. ■ The smooth working of the whole system depends upon placing the right type of women in command at the various centres, regulating service so that the sick and wounded soldiers will nave the benefit of the best skilled attention at the time they need it most, and safeguarding the health of the nurses. "To keep the nurses well," explained Miss Conyers, "we do not let them remain at one centre for any great length of time. A change of scene often acts like a tonic, and is just what a tired nurse needs. This exchanging idea has proved very beneficial. In France, if an ailing nurse is not well enough to report for duty after a 24 hours' rest, she is sent to England on sick leave. "Not any of them are allowed to remain on duty at casualty stations for more than six months. At these centres the work comes in rashes. Sometimes as many as 2000 cases are put through in 24 hours. We have three casualty stations with a staft or 20 nurses at each. . "For this work good surgical nurses are required. Those who have bad experience in. the hospital operating theatres can always be sure of reaching these coveted centres in time. As the casualty stations are only three miles beliind 'the trenches the nurses are frequently under fire." Miss Convers volunteers the information that Miss Dorothv Cawood (New South Wales), Sister Ross King (Victoria). Sister Derrer (New South Wales), and Miss Deacon (New South Wales) were recommended by the general, of their area for the Military Medal, which they subsequently received. These four Australians entered a hospital that was set on fire by an enemy bomb and carried the patients to safety. Some weeks ago news reached Australia that the Military Medal had been awarded to Sister Alicia Kelly. Miss Convers has an interesting story to tell of this,heroic sister and how she won the decoration. "Sister Kelly was on duty at one of the casualty stations, which was in danger of being demolished by the enemy," explained Miss Conyers. All the staff had been ordered to evacuate. A padre on his round discovered Sister Kelly on duty in a hospital tent with several patients. He remonstrated with her for remaining behind. " 'I could not leave my patients, she answered. • « "Her quiet courage and clever resourcefulness enabled these nerve-shat-tered men to come through the ordeal of the bombardment with a cheery confidence. ■ . "She knew that to feel secure these patients must have some kind of cover for their heads. Metal helmets were not available, so- she used enamelled hand-basins. She was aware that the basins would not be shrapnel-proof, but she also realised that a protective covering of some kind would have an influence in strengthening the morale of the men. She remained at her post until the bombardment ceased.' Miss Conyers says that the wounded Australians will laugh' and joke, even when undergoing the most excruciating pain. She tells how a sister was sympathising with a Victorian soldier who had had one of his eyes removed halt an hour previously. „ "Oh, don't be sorry for me. sister, retorted 'this young stoic. ''«!«» L meet von on The Block I shall be able to give you the 'glad eye' on ope side and the''glass? stare' on the other. "liam proud of the Australian Nursin* Sisterhood," confided Miss Conyers, "and consider it a high honour to have the privilege of occuimng the position of its matron-in-chief." Miss Convers saw active service in Egypt, where she was matron at the 3rd Australian General Hospital. lor her services in the present war she Has received the Royal Red Cross. Although she was not the first Australian to gain the distinction, she- has the, honour of being the first Australian nurse decorated by the King. OF' special interest to New Zealand nurses is the fact that Miss Conyers was born in New Zealand (states the editor of "Kai Tiaki"), so altiiougjh sho was trained in Melbourne we can therefore claim some pride m her career.

The death took place yesterday morning of Mrs. William Ikthbone, who was very well known and respected in Waipawu, Hawke's Bay, and tho Lower Hutt, where sho had lived for several years. Mrs\ Rathbone, whoso maiden name was Miss Lissie Arrow, was born in London in !aoi, came to the Dominion in the S.trathallan in 1865, and was married to Mr. William Rathbone, a-large, landowner at Wnipawa, in 1869, by the late Rev. Samuel Williams, and lived there till ■shortly after the death of hor husband, which took place thirteen years ago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone .were- well known for their kindness and hospitality at Waipawa, and the latter will bo missed by many friends at the Hutt. The family consisted of ten in all, nine of whom survi/e their mother. The sons are Messrs. H. M. and )V. H. Rathbone, of. Waipawa; Jl G. Rathboiip, of Tikokino, Hawke s Hay; and L. C. Rathbone, of Remuera, Auckland. Tho daughters are Mrs .A. L. Warburton, of Wellington; the Misses H. G. Rathbone and D. B. Rathbone, who lived with their mother at ''Charnwood," Waterloo Road, Lower Hutt, and two daughters in Kmiland, Mrs. R. O. Ohe?ney (wife of Major R. O. Chesney, who is on active service) and Miss M. K. Rathbone, who is with her sister.