Obstetrics

By: Burgess, Marie Eda, 1944-

Reference: OHColl-0138

Description: Interviews with seven women between sixty and eighty years old who have been nurses or midwives. Records the life histories of these women who have contributed a working lifetime to the community through their service in health and nursing and in the education of others. Five of the seven are single women so these interviews contribute to the body of knowledge of a group who can appear `invisible' in a `married' society. Interviewer(s) - Marie Burgess Quantity: 7 Interview(s).

Date: 1841-1872

By: Villers, Robina Agnes, 1821-1874

Reference: Micro-MS-0041

Description: Copies of letters to Douglas' daughters left behind in England are included in Douglas' diary. The first letter written during the voyage describes activities on board, including mention of her daughter Robina teaching a class of children. Another written soon after arrival describes conditions in Wellington where the family was accommodated initially in a New Zealand Company house. Also included in the diary are records of family births, deaths and marriages to 1872, together with household accounts, recipes and medical remedies. Source of title - Supplied title Douglas Mary McKain, a widow, emigrated to New Zealand with one daughter and four sons on the "Olympus" which arrived in Wellington, 20 Apr 1841. Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s) positive (120 pages).

Date: 1997-1998

By: Massey University. School of Design

Reference: PA-Group-00622

Description: Photographs taken by students of the Wellington Polytechnic School of Design, as part of the Wellington Polytechnic Archive of Contemporary Culture project. Includes negatives of HIV/Aids nurse Eric Lloyd, Wellington Public Hospital, taken in 1998 by Kinstry Smythe, a student at the College of Design, Fine Arts and Music, Massey University, Wellington Source of title - Title supplied by Library Accompanying material - Photocopies of consent forms in Photographic Archive back file Quantity: 25 album(s). 94 colour original transparency/ies. 114 b&w original photographic print(s) proof sheets. 26 b&w original photographic print(s). 6 colour original photographic print(s) colour original photographic print(s). 775 b&w original negative(s) comprising 3902 images. 59 colour original negative(s) comprising 258 images. Physical Description: Photographs, film negatives, transparencies

Date: 1839-1843

By: Ironside, Samuel, 1814-1897

Reference: Micro-MS-0474

Description: Diary kept while Ironside was in New Zealand as a Methodist missionary. Includes description of mission stations and of the Wairau affray. Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s) (ca 150 pages). Physical Description: Positive microfilm

Date: 27-30 August 2001 - 27 Aug 2001 - 30 Aug 2001

By: Lawler, Cicely Margaret, 1930-; West, Maureen Rosalind, active 2002

Reference: OHColl-0637/1

Description: Cicely Margaret Lawler was born in Whitburn, County Durham, England in 1930. Talks about being a child of divorced parents, growing up with her father, an estate manager in Highcroft. Mentions being evacuated during World War II; rationing, and transport during the war. Mentions father's remarriage, her stepmother Dora, and stepbrothers. Mentions her mother Hilda, who worked in the ambulance service during the war. Mentions her sister dying of whooping cough. Talks about her education, her goal to become an obstetrician, and attending University of Durham Medical School. Talks about medical training and work as a house surgeon and registrar in the 1950's, working shifts of up to 36 hours. Mentions hospital lifestyle, parties, National Health Service, attitudes of male doctors to women. Describes the difficulties involved, as an English protestant, in marrying her Irish catholic husband, Derry Lawler, whom she met in 1956-7. Talks about resistance from family and the Catholic Church. Mentions difficulty with the instruction course on marriage to a catholic. Talks about working part-time as a polio vaccinator, describes feelings about giving up work to raise five children. Describes emigrating to New Zealand, by ship, while pregnant. Compares household appliances in England and New Zealand in the 1960's. Talks about her children, and her husband's career as an anaesthetist in Auckland. Describes having single mothers in her home, via an arrangement with Presbyterian Social Services; mentions Bethany Hospital. Talks about journeys back to England and Ireland, family visits, her mother-in-law, and what she misses about England. Mentions New Zealand's standard of living, attitudes to sport, politics, Maori, immigrants. Talks about friends, housekeeping and housework, her chronic back problem, feelings towards Catholic Church and influence of religion on her life. Mentions husband's illness and death. Talks about her voluntary work with Care and Craft group, and the Mater Hospital, since the 1970's. Interviewer(s) - Maureen West Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-10827 - 10833 Quantity: 7 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 6.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3829. Search dates: 1939 - 1950 - 1945 - 2000

Date: 12 May-28 Jul 1998 - 12 May 1998 - 28 Jul 1998

From: Neonatal Nursing Oral History Project

By: Harison, Christopher Stratford, 1929-

Reference: OHInt-0131/20

Description: Christopher Harison was born and raised in South Africa where he trained as a doctor. Describes working in hospitals as an obstetrician in Great Britain and South Africa, including time in a mission hospital in South Africa. Also describes being in private practice there. Recalls his feelings about Sharpeville. Describes the decision to come to New Zealand and his work as the first obstetrician in Thames. Discusses his attitudes to home birth and abortion and involvement with SPUC. Talks about National Women's Hospital and the `unfortunate experiment'. Describes appearing before the Medical Council. Comments that his career has encompassed major developments in obstetrics and midwifery, the growth of the home birth movement and feminism and the restructuring of the health services. Discusses his approach to teamwork in obstetrics, the development of screening tests in pregnancy, the identification of high risk, the reorganisation of obstetric services on the Coromandel, medical and midwifery education and changes in nursing education. Interviewer(s) - Penelope Dunkley Quantity: 7 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) - in 3 folders. 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 2 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1742, OHDL-000833.

Date: 6 Dec 1993 - 06 Dec 1993

From: NZ Nursing Education and Research Foundation : the transfer of nursing education from hospitals to polytechnics

By: Seymour, Pamela, 1931-

Reference: OHInt-0520/11

Description: Pamela Seymour born Dunedin 1931. Describes career path since graduation. Talks about experience in England which included new methods of treatment, in obstetric care. Refers to research in the prevention of mental retardation through the discovery of treatment for Phenolketoneuria in the new born and research into DNA. Recalls going to SANS (School of Advanced Nursing Studies) in 1970, studying under B Salmon and Alice Fieldhouse and in 1971 returning to Christchurch to teach in Nursing programme. Recalls being involved in innovative curriculum development in obstetrics and refers to introduction of care of Maori family, growth and development concepts etc. In 1973 took up position with Dept Health, Wellington as Curriculum adviser for Nursing Education from a national point of view. Discusses concerns around the Carpenter Report and the place of Psychopaedic and Psychiatric nursing programmes, their viability and how they would survive into the 1980s. Appointed Head of School of Nursing at Nelson Polytechnic and gives reasons for choosing Nelson. Mentions Betty Anne Gleadow, Principal Nurse Nelson Hospital Board, Tina Handiside and Chris Tuffnell. Discusses: programme planning and consultation; uniforms; relationships between hospital staff and students; friction with PSA; relationship between Polytechnic and hospital; establishment of bridging programmes; support systems; how the programme made a difference to patient care; feedback from graduates and relationship with other Polytechnics. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Fran Richardson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006529; OHLC-002224 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1949.

Date: 23 Mar 1993

From: Women's suffrage centennial year project

By: Kitson, Karen, active 1993; MacNab, Margaret Duirs, 1900-2001

Reference: OHInt-0402-02

Description: Margaret MacNab born in Hawera and educated at Wanganui and Nelson Girls' College. Describes childhood games and explains the game `Diabalo'. Mentions Mr David Peat who owned `Hillside' in Wanganui. Margaret trained as a nurse at Christchurch and was actively involved in nursing for 35 years. Much of the time, apart from a spell nursing in Melbourne (7 months in 1929), was spent in isolated parts of New Zealand. Describes time in Christchurch and talks about doctor, Sir John Acland. Mentions the last cab driven in Christchurch by `Bun Harris'. Describes the art of driving a pony and trap which nurses had while doing fever training at Burwood. After maternity training moved to Bowen Street Hospital, Wellington, then returned to Wanganui to look after sick mother and did `specialising', mainly at Belverdale. Recalls nursing Louis Cowen (a criminal lawyer). Talks about part played after the Napier Earthquake in 1931, nursing at Napier Park racecourse where temporary hospital was set up. Worked at Te Kaha as a public health nurse and gives account of problems encountered in the course of her work. Refers to Maori medicine. Recalls that during her time at Te Kaha there were no telephones so all messages were sent to her by hand. Miss MacNab retired first to Nelson then to Wanganui where she spent her time gardening until failing eyesight made it impossible for her to live alone. She moved into Hikurangi home for the Elderly in 1992. Abstracted by - Karen Kitson Awards/funding - Funded through the womens' Suffrage Centennial Year Trust Other - Recorded interview by Margaret MacNab for Radio New Zealand Spectrum programme, partial copy held at Whanganui Regional Museum Archives. Articles written by and about Miss MacNab on file as well as other notes on nursing provided by Miss MacNab on 10 April 1993, following taped interview - information she left out of the interview but felt would be of interest to Public Health nurses of the future. Interviewer(s) - Karen Kitson Venue - Hikurangi Home Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006697 Tape numbers - OHC-006698 Tape numbers - OHC-006699 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1560. One photograph of Margaret McNab

Date: 18 November 1982 - 25 November 1982 - 18 Nov 1982

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: Simons, Rebecca Violet, 1900-2001; McCutchan, Ailsa Douglas, 1920-2008

Reference: OHInt-0014/151

Description: Violet Simons was a nurse aide in local private hospitals (Tauranga) and trained as a midwife at St Helen's Hospital Auckland 1923. Describes: uniforms; nurses' accommodation; buildings and neighbourhood with reference to Charles Frederick Goldie who lived next door; nurses' salaries and pensions; recreation; care of mothers and babies; post-natal treatment; breast care; laundry arrangements; delivery rooms; caesarian sections; homebirths and role of husbands at home births. Recalls memories of operating own 4 bed midwifery hospital in Tauranga that she and husband set up with reference to 'Rooming in' if mothers requested it. Mentions the Napier earthquake and its effect on patients. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Tauranga Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Ailsa McCutcheon Venue - Tauranga Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000042; OHLC-000035 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1066 (hand-written).

Date: 01 Aug 1982

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: King, Ivy Clare, 1908-1999; McCutchan, Ailsa Douglas, 1920-2008; Salmon, Evelyn Beatrice, 1921-2006

Reference: OHInt-0014/091

Description: Mrs Ivy King arrived in New Zealand 1951 and worked in Wellington Hospital maternity block 1951-1963. Recalls her experience of teaching and compares to that in Canada and England. Recalls obstetrics being introduced into general curriculum (1957); nursing care of new mothers - paraneel? toilet care - New Zealand outbreak of the H bug (babies developed abcesses) and technique for treating this bug. Discusses attitude towards women leaving hospital soon after birth. Describes retirement activities and involvement in Conservation week and explains how she became involved in conservation and bird-watching. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Ailsa McCutchan, tape 1 and E B Salmon, tape 2 Venue - NERF Workshop, Wellington Hospital, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000061, 000062; OHLC-000050, O00053 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1026 (hand-written).

Date: 09 September 1983 - 09 Sep 1983

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: MacKenzie, Sadie Thompson, 1912-2006; Grant, Mary, -1999

Reference: OHInt-0014/108

Description: Sadie MacKenzie was born in Sydney, returned to New Zealand with family aged 6 months. Outlines family background - father bought farm in Clutha Valley, later moving to Dunedin. Sadie attended Timaru Girls High School - describes headmistress. Commenced nursing at Dunedin Hospital 1932, registering 1935. Topics covered include: Thyroid patients; conditions in nursing home; night duty as a junior; pneumonia; work experience in women's gynaecology ward - refers to septic abortions; experiences in children's orthopaedic ward - describes treatment of osteomyelitis; Urology Ward where minor surgery was done. Gives advantages of training in hospital with Medical School. Talks about experience at Waikanae Sanitorium during training; maternity training at Hastings Memorial Hospital and midwifery at St Helen's Hospital, Auckland. At Miss Lambie's suggestion went to work at Apia Hospital (Samoa) - describes leper compound and precautions taken to avoid infection. Was at Nukualofa the day Pearl Harbour was bombed. Returned to New Zealand Dec 1941 and called up for Army. Sailed from Wellington on the Monganui - Refers to Miss Lewis who was matron. Gives experiences at No 1 General (Hospital) Helwan in Egypt before moving to Italy - refers to Senegalia Hospital. Specialised General Freyberg after a plane accident. Travelled to Japan on the `Strathmore' - refers to measles epidemic on the ship. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Rotorua Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Mary Grant Venue - Rotorua Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000015-00016; OHLC-000021-000022 Quantity: 2 tape(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0993 (hand-written).

Date: 21 Feb 1984

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: Grant, Katrine Beech, 1895-1991; Grant, Mary, -1999

Reference: OHInt-0014/063

Description: Katrine Beech Grant registered as a nurse at Timaru Hospital and as a midwife at St Helen's Hospital, Wellington. Recalls family background; childhood; the `Great Snow' (1919); time as probationer midwife at Rangiora Hospital and training at St Helen's Wellington; midwife at Malvern Maternity Hospital; private nursing; Carterton Hospital; abnormal births; marriage and her commercial flower growing. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Taupo Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Mary Grant Venue - 113 Heu Heu St, Taupo Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000172, 000173; OHLC-000599, OHLC-000600 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2168 (hand written).

Date: 21 May, 10 July 1984 - 21 May 1984

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: McKean, Naomi Margaret, 1918-2000; McCutchan, Ailsa Douglas, 1920-2008

Reference: OHInt-0014/106

Description: Naomi Margaret (Joy) McKean trained as a nurse (1944) at the University College Hospital in London and trained as a midwife at Simpson Memorial Hospital. Gives family details and social background. Recalls training during the war with reference to conditions - food rationing etc. Refers to Mrs Margaret Miles and a protest meeting. Other topics covered include: cycle tours of the British Isles; experience as a district midwife in London; return to New Zealand and work at Waiuku Hospital; Plunket training; cycle trip around Australia and World Cycle Tour working in various places including South Africa and the City of London Maternity Hospital; midwife tutor course in Melbourne; travel in South America and a hospital experience in Columbia. On return to New Zealand was an obstetric tutor in Waikato and Tauranga Hospitals. Attended International Council of Nurses Conference (ICN) in Japan. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Tauranga Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Ailsa McCutcheon Venue - Tauranga Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000031-OHC-000036; OHLC-000031; OHLC-000074 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 6.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete abstract completed for OHC-000031 only (hand written) OHA-2175.

Date: 16 November 1982 - 16 Nov 1982

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: Owen, Irene Grace, 1896-1986; Bohm, Shirley Morris, 1922-2006

Reference: OHInt-0014/131

Description: Miss Irene Grace Owen worked at Christchurch TB sanatorium as a nurse aide while waiting to go nursing. Registered as a nurse at Christchurch Hospital. Specialised in midwifery, training at Kaikoura and St Helen's Hospital Christchurch. After various positions in Canterbury went to Hastings Hospital to set up obstetric unit which she describes and for which she received an MBE. Refers to McCarthy Home. Recalls being on duty in Maternity annex at time of earthquake - gives details. Describes: salary and conditions while training with reference to Miss Lambie; the problems involved in the setting up of the obstetric unit at Hastings and Plunket training. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Havelock North Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Mrs S Bohm Venue - Havelock North Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000001; OHLC-000006 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0985 (hand-written).

Date: 31 July & 01 Aug 1982 - 31 Jul 1982 - 01 Aug 1982

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: Anderson, Joyce Irene, 1916-1987; Shadbolt, Yvonne Telford, 1933-

Reference: OHInt-0014/007

Description: Joyce Irene Anderson began training as a nurse at Wellington Hospital 1937, graduating in 1942, with an 18 month break due to a tuberculosis related condition. Describes hospital's attitude to her medical condition also parent's attitude to continuing training. Other topics discussed include: effects of war on hospital - reference to wounded soldiers; training programme, names Matron and tutors and refers to pressure on them; food shortages and rationing; typical day as a junior nurse; duty list; domestic work and change from enamelware to stainless steel; uniforms; milestones in nursing career; surgical ward; work at Otaki Health camp where geriatric patients were transferred during war; maternity training at Masterton; Thoracic surgery; effects of use of drugs for treating Tuberculosis. Was appointed to Masterton as principal nurse of all the Wairarapa hospitals and describes attitude towards this promotion and enjoyment of the job. Discusses involvement in Nurses Association which was very active in Wellington and Masterton. Mentions Miss Cameron's efforts to establish Chair of Nursing and response of nurses to the concept of University training. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Yvonne Shadbolt Venue - Staff Development Department, Wellington Public Hospital, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000071; OHLC-000056; OHLC-003944 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1072 (hand-written) AY=AB AR=1063.

Date: 06 July 1983 - 06 Jul 1983

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: Donner, Agnes, 1901-1990; Storey, Doris Margaret Patricia, 1921-2005

Reference: OHInt-0014/049

Description: Agnes Donner (nee Lewis) born in Newcastle on Tyne. Gives family background. Talks about experiences in England during the war (World War I) before family came to New Zealand. Recalls seeing a Zeppelin dropping bombs. On leaving school in England worked in design department for an electrical firm that produced printing presses, which she describes. Gives reasons for parents decision to come to New Zealand. Recalls working as a nurse aide at Hobson Street private hospital, with reference to Sister Margaret MacKenzie; training as a nurse at New Plymouth Hospital at the age of 24; conditions at Barrat Street Nurses Home; tutorials, refers to Sister Ross; experience while working at Hanmer Springs. Talks about obstetric training at Alexandra Hospital, Wellington. Describes position of Dominion Secretary of the Registered Nurses Association held during the war years (World War II). Worked in Australia and discusses state of nurses' unions and associations there. Was appointed to position in charge of Library of BMA in Melbourne until retirement in 1961. Describes work for Red Cross on returning to New Zealand and mentions nursing class for men with emphasis on care of the disabled. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - New Plymouth Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - D M P Storey Venue - 93 Tukapa Street, New Plymouth Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000136; OHLC-000109; OHLC-004458 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1056 (hand-written).

Date: Nov, Dec 1983 - 01 Nov 1983

From: New Zealand Nursing Education and Research Foundation oral history project

By: Longden, Ada Mary, 1900-1992; Nicholls, Margaret Isabel, 1922-

Reference: OHInt-0014/096

Description: Ada Mary registered as a nurse 1929. Recalls childhood; limited educational opportunities; training; uniforms; maternity training; patients from the Napier earthquake; midwifery training in Auckland; financial arrangements for mothers; St Helen's Hospital, Auckland; home deliveries; staff cuts during Depression (Slump); private cases at Hamilton Hospital; salary and conditions; Plunket training at Palmerston North (1936) and plunket work in general; relieving positions at Invercargill and various Otago Hospitals; details of work as Plunket Nurse for Waikato and Warkworth and work in Dunedin District with Plunket students; Dr Helen Deem; accident prevention work with pre-school children. Also talks about duties as Matron of the Auckland Karitane Hospital; duties as Matron in Hamilton and in 1950-1951 in Hamilton district as senior nurse - expansion of Plunket, liaison work, teaching of mothercraft and retirement in 1957. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Hamilton Other - limited biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Margaret Nicholls Venue - 37A Anthony Cres., Hamilton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000124, 000125; OHLC-000097; OHLC-004370 - OHLC-004371 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available.

Date: 8 February 1991 - 08 Feb 1991

From: Neonatal Nursing Oral History Project

By: Young, Maureen, 1949-

Reference: OHInt-0131/13

Description: Maureen Young describes family history and education, training as a nurse, own experience of childbirth, midwifery training, home births with the Domicilliary Service and living in Centrepoint Community at Albany. Discusses ethical dilemmas in neonatal nursing, appointment as supervisor at Neonatal Unit National Women's Hospital, work and problems and future career moves. Talks about her work as a driving instructor. Interviewer(s) - Penelope A Dunkley Venue - National Women's Hospital, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004636-004637 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0807.

Date: 17 Mar 1974

From: Open Country Sound Recordings

Reference: OHInt-0002/478

Description: Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Jim Henderson, presenter Venue - NZBC Studios, Wellington. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHT5-0491 Quantity: 1 5" reel(s). 1 event(s). 13 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - other no script available.

Date: 1 June 1994 - 01 Jun 1994

From: National Council of Women: Narratives from a century - oral history project

By: Ellen, Vera, 1926-

Reference: OHInt-0387/10

Description: Vera Ellen born in Te Puni Street Nursing Home which was run by Nurse Welsh. Gives details of family background - mother came to New Zealand on a scheme for young women to go to the colonies. Gives an account of her voyage to ca 1922-1923 and going into service for doctor in Christchurch. Father born in Methven and after World War I worked as a photographer. Recalls life in Petone during Depression. Parents sponsored several families to New Zealand. Gives details of father's death in his early forties and describes how mother coped. Reference to Thelma Douglas, Salvation Army. Mentions Rudolph McLay who initiated tradition of music at Petone Technical College. Describes school in Jackson Street - was earlier located at Prices Folly - reference to Maynard, the infant school teacher. Recalls Alex McFarlane, a teacher, who later became Mayor. Describes how Miss Fleet, another teacher, became Mayoress. Talks about teaching methods of that period. Trained as a nurse at Wellington Hospital (class of 1948) and gives details of training. Reference to Roland (Roly) O'Regan, senior surgeon in ward 28. Describes change of direction - gives details of Kenny Institute for Poliomyelitis. Completed Fulham course in poliomyelitis then a course in tropical diseases at St Pancras before returning to Wellington Hospital to teach obstetrics. Outlines involvement with National Council of Women - took over from Margaret Barrance as President of Hutt Branch and continued in Executive until 1993. Other topics covered include: involvement on Parliamentary Watch Committee (1990); involvement with Soroptimists, becoming President; Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps as territorial and at time of retirement as Principal Matron of 2nd Field Hospital. Elaborates on invitation to become Honorary Nursing sister to Governor General Sir Arthur Porritt. Recalls how NCW brought awareness of women's rights. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Petone Interviewer(s) - Mary Tallon Venue - Petone Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006310-006312 Quantity: 3 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 4.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-1446. One photocopy of a b&w photograph of Vera Ellen taken outside Hutt Hospital and one coloured photograph of 4 women sitting at a table - note on back reads: Vera Ellen May 1994 at NCW HQ, second from left and underneath, Ann Holden, Vera Ellen, Dame Stella Casey, Grace Dawson.