A Bendigo-based non-profit group is raising funds to commission a statue honouring our nurses.
The Bendigo Base Hospital-trained Nurses League needs $60 thousand dollars for the project to go ahead, having already raised $10k.
Talking to Robbo on the Wake Up Call, president Jenny Trewartha said the artwork would celebrate the League’s 100th anniversary in 2028, which will also be the year it disbands.
“We’ve agreed to that – our membership is ageing and naturally depleting, and we’re wanting to make sure that when we do wind-up, we have a very significant and enduring dedication to the thousands of nurses who’ve trained at Bendigo Hospital from 1883 to 1989,” Ms Trewartha said.
“The reason why we’re choosing 1883 is that’s the first time in the hospital records, that it’s noted that there was nurse-training at Bendigo Hospital.
“And the reason why we’re stopping at 1989 [is] because that is when… the Northern District School of Nursing closed.”
Between 1950 and 1989, the school accepted trainee nurses from not just Bendigo, but also nearby towns like Castlemaine and as far away as Mildura.
The League recently approached Bendigo-based sculptor Yvonne George to create the statue, who has already provided a concept design featuring the silhouettes of nurses as they appeared through the decades.
Should enough money be raised for the project, the artwork will be placed in the gardens of Bendigo Health.
A deadline of September has been set by the League for their $60k goal.
Those wishing to donate money to their cause are encouraged to visit the Bendigo Health Foundation’s donation page, and mention “106 Years of Nursing project” in the appropriate box.
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