140 years in the making

This year we mark 140 years caring for Australians – a significant milestone made possible by all who have helped shape Bolton Clarke, including you.

Our celebrations officially kicked off on 17 February, the day the first members of the Melbourne District Nursing Society – later RDNS and now Bolton Clarke – met in 1885, establishing home nursing in Australia.

This anniversary provides the opportunity to acknowlege our rich history and all our teams then and now who continue to make a positive difference for residents, clients and in the community.

Our earliest beginnings

At the first meeting, 17 people including some of Melbourne’s influential leaders met with the aim of improving the circumstances of people living in impoverished conditions across the city.

The small but mighty group committed to forming the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) – the first district nursing service in Australia – to care for people in their homes.

Among the 17 founders was influential philanthropist Lady Janet Clarke, who went on to serve as MDNS President from 1889 to 1908 and later became Life Governor.

Lady Clarke’s contributions to our organisation’s legacy is reflected in our name, together with Brigadier William Kinsey Bolton who, as founder and first president of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial  League, helped pioneer veteran care in Australia.

From the archives…

A look back at our transport, equipment and wardrobe over the decades reveals a changing social landscape and changing fashions of the time, as well as turning points in our organisation’s history.

Earliest collections include the ankle-length grey dresses worn by the pioneering MDNS nurses in the late 1800s, complete with long white aprons and a white cap.

When bicycles were introduced to keep up with growing demand, the nurses wore white pith helmets held in place with a veil, tied under the chin. The helmets displayed the Maltese cross, a symbol of protection, which continued to feature on head gear through to the 1960s.

In 1966, the vital work of our district nurses received royal patronage and the name Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) was officially adopted. Royal blue uniforms were introduced including summer and winter tunics, hats and jackets, all featuring the RDNS insignia.

Inline image 1: Minutes of the first MDNS meeting  in 1885.
Inline image 2: Lady Janet Clarke and Brigadier William Kinsey Bolton.
Inline image 3: Nurses pictured in 1919, the 1950s and the 1960s.
Inline image 4: Our wardrobe through the decades.