VIEW OF FORMER V.A.D. COMMANDANT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 285, 1 September 1942, Page 2

VIEW OF FORMER V.A.D. COMMANDANT

Recruiting Of Nurses

One way in which the number of recruits for the nursing profession may be increased has been pointed out by Miss E P Tenueut, former commandant-in-chief of the Voluntary Aid Detachments of the Red Cross Society, in a letter in the latest issue of the -New Zealand Nursing Journal.” The idea is that from the numbers of young women undertaking voluntary aid training some might possibly be recruited if hospitals presented nursing as a profession to them. Training schools never had such a golden opportunity for recruiting candidates as they have had during the last two and a half years, stated the writer. Large numbers of young women, by their desire to undertake voluntary aid work, bad shown that nursing duties attracted them more than any other type of voluntary service. These voluntary aids had gone to considerable expense in equipping themselves with uniform and text books and in payment of membership and class fees, as well as the sacrifice they had made of leisure time for two or three evenings a week to attend lectures and practices, in order to prepare themselves for nursing duties. During the last three years several thousand voluntary aids trained by the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John had gone into hospitals for 60 hours’ training and elementary instruction in nursing duties so that they might be of use in emergency. In the course of her duties as com-mandant-in-chief, Miss Tennent stated, she had travelled extensively throughout the Dominion visiting the detachments, and her impression had been that very little attempt had been made in most hospitals to present nursing as a Profusion to voluntary aids. Many aids were women of a good type, well educated and holding positions of responsibility., borne of them had shown by their work m their detachments that they had qualities which fitted them for leadership. ’ Many voluntary aids left the hospitals after, their GO hours’ training thinking they had learnt all there was to know about nursing because no attempt mid been made by a senior member ot the Stan to give them an idea of what nursing meant and the richness of opportunity there was in nursing as a career. Nursing should be explained to them from the standpoint of spiritual help to the patient, nursing skill and technical training, also the many avenues open to the nurse, on completion of training. In her opinion, no one was better fitted for this responsibility than the matron, whom the voluntary aid regarded with much respect.

The Spinsters’ Club. . For four of the Sunday gatherings during August, the Wellington Spinsters Club has had more than 3000 servicemen visitors at its entertainment m the Majestic Cabaret, the average nttciidance of men and girls each day totalling 1000. The cabaret was again thronged on Sunday, when a feature of the evening prognunme was a series of items given by Victoria League girls. Their Maori numbers in costume were warmly applauded. and other attractive numbers were a tap ballet and vocal trio. A burlestjue ballet of the 1910 period created amusement. Mrs. Bessie MeKinhiy was the producer. A man from the R.iX.Z.A.I’. sang, accompanied by a naval guest, J. Buchanan, and another sailor, B. Bright, played dance extras.

Competition Winners. At the Hawera Competitions held last week, pupils of Miss Gladys Tonkins, Wanganui, were successful.. Nine-year-old B. Le Compte gained first place in the tap under 10, skipping under 13, and song and dance under 13 sections; second place in operatic under 13, character under 13, and third place in Irish jig under 13 and hornpipe under 13. Eleyen-vear-old P. Mosend gained second place in dance tinder 8, third in operatic under 13, jig under 13. skipping under 13 mid tap under 10. Seven-year-old R. M alker also gained first place in dance under 8, v.h.c. in tap under 10 thid third in character dancing.

Sick and Wounded Visited. The Grosvenor Club, Wellington, was packed on Saturday and Sunday, when the girls entertained men of the forces. Thanks were extended to Allan Van, who did Russian and tap dances, accompanied by Miss Hazel Martin. Voluntary helpers included: Mesdames Gordon, Scott, Devery, Harris, Misses M. McNeely, IL Bell, T. Davies, M. Fafeita, B. Ives, J. Ferguson, D. Askew, L. Humphreys, ,L. Tohill, and Miss B. Scott.. During the week, members visited sick and wounded servicemen in hospital.

Gifts for Cafeteria. Gifts from the Wellington Catholic Lawn Teniris Association aided the cafeteria service at the Catholic Services Club. A number of . other, generous donors supplied useful menu items mid donations were received from the Hawke fi Bay Catholic Tennis Association. Vocal numbers which were sung by Miss Joan Bovis at yesterday’s gathering were popular. . . • St. Stephen's Women’s Association. , The August meeting of St. Stephen s Women’s Association proved particularly interesting, the speaker being Sister Faber, who has recently returned from (he Middle East. She described her exlieriiMK'es in hospHnls both iu IbujyltiDu and the Middle East, and paid warm tribute to Ihe New Zealanders who were inmates, also the doctors, nursing stalls mid padres. Mrs. E. N. Davys, who sang, was accompanied by Mrs. August,, and they ami the speaker were the recipients of sprays of spring flowers. Arrangements were completed for the packing mid forwarding of parcels for men serving overseas. The executive committee, who were the hostesses for the afternoon, were assisted by Mrs. F. Rogers and Miss Allen.

AVonien in 'Wellington will be interested to know tlint Mrs. Manners, Elizabeth Arden’s personal representative in New Zenlanil, is al: present: visiting James Smith's. Anyone desiring an nppointment should 'phone 41-190 immediately, since the appointment book is filling rapidly and Mrs. Manners’ visit is short. The famous Arden treatments, as well as complimentary consultations, can he obtained from Mrs, Manners in James Smith's own Arden Salon—au exact replica of Arden Salons in Loudon. Remember, ’phone 41.-190 for an iippointmeiit.—Advt.