The Proud to be a Nurse exhibition pays tribute to the trainee nurses at Williamstown Hospital and their immeasurable contribution to healthcare in Hobsons Bay – from 1900 all the way through to present day.
Curated by former local and Williamstown Hospital nurse Wendy Cavanagh (née Hem), the exhibition at the Williamstown Library Heritage Room includes photographs, uniforms and personal collectables, as well as themed displays, such as an Anzac section and personal histories.
During her time as a trainee nurse after graduating in 1974, she was among a group of young women from various socio-economic backgrounds who shared about everything, including patients, clothes, cigarettes, chocolate and shoe polish.
Wendy was inspired to put the collection together after attending her first past trainee nurses’ reunion in 2018.
She then tracked down a number of former nurses and interviewed them to document their stories.
Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa said Williamstown’s nurses has been a crucial part of the area’s history.
“Williamstown Hospital has been an important part of our community for almost 130 years,” Cr Briffa said.
“This is a fantastic exhibition that celebrates not only the important work they have done, but also the friendships and the memories that were made.
“Wendy’s idea for this exhibition and her hard work in putting it together will spark some great memories for former nurses at the hospital, and also teach the rest of our community about this important history.”
Visitors to the exhibition can explore photos from private collections and search among the hundreds of names indexed on an interactive table.
Proud to be a Nurse is open now and runs until Thursday, April 27.
Matthew Sims
