Alice Ethel Imison display at Rockhampton Country Hospital Museum

Guest blogger: Ashley Reid – Vice President, Rockhampton Country Hospital Museum.

Alice Ethel Imison display, Country Hospital Museum, Rockhampton

Earlier this year, the Country Hospital Museum at the Rockhampton Heritage Village received a collection from the descendants of Sister Alice Ethel Imison, who completed her three year nurse training at the Rockhampton General Hospital in January 1917, and enlisted in as a Staff Nurse in the Australian Army Nursing Service in August that year.  Alice served in India and Pakistan before returning to Australia in October 1919, and her collection is now on permanent display at the Country Hospital Museum, and is already creating great interest with visitors.

Alice Ethel Imison

You can read more about Alice Ethel Imison, who also served in the Second World War, in a previous article on this Blog.

The Imison family had a rich nursing tradition.  Alice's two sisters Margaret and Elsie, and her niece Millicent also trained as nurses. Included in the display of Alice's effects are the original nursing certificates of her sister, Margaret Phillips (nee Imison).

Margaret completed her Obstetrics training in 1924 at the Lady Chelmsford Hospital in Bundaberg before undertaking her General Nurse training at the Rockhampton Hospital, completing this in 1930.  She went on to be Matron at the Tully Hospital 1936-1949.  Proudly displayed along with her certificates is the Silver Tea Set presented to her by the citizens of Tully at the time of her retirement from Tully Hospital. Also donated was the Nursing Certificate  belonging to Millicent Ivett, Alice's niece.  Millicent trained in Rockhampton at the Tannachy Private Hospital, later called St. Johns Hospital before it was demolished.

Alice Woolsey (nee Imison), Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service WW2

As part of the Australian Country Hospital Heritage Association, Inc., the Rockhampton Country Hospital Museum has identified and honoured over 30 nurses who trained at local hospitals, enlisted and served in the First World War.