An Englishwoman in the Torres Strait, 1969-70 (Elaine Sinnamon collection)
By Myles Sinnamon - Engagement Officer, State Library of Queensland | 30 June 2016
Cultural Care statement: Users are advised that this blog story may contain images and names of deceased persons.
Nurse Elaine Sinnamon (nee Street) with baby Warren outside Thursday Island Hospital, Queensland, 1969. 30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection ca. 1969. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 30394-0001-0094
In 1969, 28 year old English nursing sister Elaine Constance Street (later Sinnamon) arrived on Thursday Island (Waiben). Leaving school at the age of 14, Elaine’s true aspiration was to become a nurse. She joined the Long Eaton Red Cross in Derbyshire, in part to convince her father of her interest in nursing. Eventually, and reluctantly, her father gave his permission and Elaine did her nurses training at Hornsey Hospital in North London. From there, Elaine moved to Bristol, where she took her certificate in care of premature babies. Care of premmies was to be her greatest love in nursing.
In 1967, in search of adventure and independence, Elaine came to Australia as a ‘Ten Pound Pom’. Arriving in Sydney, she worked for a time in the Blue Mountains as a theatre sister. She trained for her midwifery certificate at Crown Street Women’s Hospital in Sydney. She passed her exams and received the tutorial prize for her class.
A collage of photographs taken of nurse Elaine Street (later Sinnamon) during her time in London during the mid-1960s. Images courtesy of Michael Sinnamon
A caricature of nurse Elaine Street pushing a trolley of bedpans, London, ca.1960s. Artist unknown. Image courtesy of Michael Sinnamon
Nurse Elaine Sinnamon (nee Street) in Sydney. 30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 30394-0001-0114
Wanting to experience more of Australia she applied for and received a position as ‘Sister’ at the Thursday Island Hospital in Torres Strait as well as stints at Bamaga Hospital, North Queensland in 1969. Elaine didn’t spend all that long in the Torres Strait, only 12 months, but it was an important period of her life. She was experiencing a life far removed from her childhood in England, enjoying an independent and free-spirited existence. On Thursday Island she would meet her future husband Mike, an employee at the local branch of the National Bank of Australasia.
Far North Queensland from the air.30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection ca. 1969. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 30394-0001-0007r
Thursday Island from the air. 30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection ca. 1969. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 30394-0001-0076
View from Milman Hill, Thursday Island. Horn Island in the distance. 30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection ca. 1969. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 30394-0001-0023
Man fishing off the coast of Hawkesbury Island (Warral Island), Queensland, ca. 1969. 30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 30394-0001-0057
Elaine Sinnamon on Thursday Island, Queensland, 1969. 30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection ca. 1969. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 30394-0001-0105
Hospital staff and Sylvia (child), Bamaga, ca.1969. Elaine Sinnamon, photographer. 30394 Elaine Sinnamon Collection. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 30394-0001-0108
An avid photographer, Elaine kept a comprehensive record of the year she lived in the Torres Strait, her nursing vocation, and the many people she connected with. Her extensive collection of slides include images taken around Thursday Island (Waiben) and other islands in the Torres Strait and Far North Queensland. Elaine also took images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people she befriended during her work as a nurse and in her leisure time.
Elaine was also generously gifted several items from First Nations colleagues, including a traditional drum, a dance rattle (kulap), two spears, two turtle shells. She also purchased several wooden face carvings during a trip to Daru Island.
Elaine return to England in 1970 and returned the following year to marry Michael Sinnamon. The couple moved around Queensland for the next few years, having two children before settling in Brisbane in 1980. In 1999, the couple retired to Peachester in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
In 2016, Elaine donated her collection of slides and other artefacts to State Library of Queensland. She passed away in 2018 following a long illness.
Elaine's slide collection has been digitised and can be viewed via State Library's One Search catalogue.
The five wooden face carvings were purchased on Daru Island. The dance rattle (kulap) was gifted to Elaine Street sometime during her time in the Torres Strait.
Drum from the Torres Straits. Gifted to Elaine Sinnamon ca.1969
Myles Sinnamon - son of Elaine Sinnamon and engagement officer at State Library of Queensland
Comments
Your email address will not be published.
We welcome relevant, respectful comments.