With Australia marking International Women’s Day last week, it is time to celebrate one of the Rose City’s most influential woman.
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Last month The Ensign published an article on the Sister Edna Burns Trust focusing on all the people it had assisted.
This week we take a closer look at Sister Burns herself, and the hospital that became synonymous with her name
When the Sister Edan Burns Trust was established it was not only a permanent way of acknowledging the work she undertook in the Benalla community, but also to honour the service given by many women in many fields.
One such woman was Hannah Margaret Muriel Eddy (nee Jackson).
In her early childhood Margot, which she preferred to be know as, moved to “The Grange” on Kilferra Rd and would attend Benalla schools.
In her teens she began a training course at the Albury Base Hospital to fulfil her aspirations in nursing.
She would subsequently enrol in additional courses at the Eye and Ear Hospital, Fairfield Infectious Disease Hospital, and the Royal Women’s Hospital.
After completing her studies and moving back to Benalla, Margot worked in private nursing.
She saw the need for a hospital in Benalla and in 1921 opened her own private hospital, Rossmore, on Carrier St.
Margot served as owner and Matron of Rossmore Hospital until 1927, meeting a young trainee pharmacist Edward “Weary” Dunlop along the way.
Her motto was “Service before Self” and this was evident at Rossmore.
At the time Sister Burns lived on her family farm in Samaria and had always wanted to be a nurse, tending to sick and injured animals as her patients.
It was not until she was 26 years old that she had a chance to begin her nursing training.
Like students today the expense of attending courses had to be covered.
She would save to supply her own uniform, aprons, caps, shoes, stockings, and any equipment necessary for her practical nursing, and her studies.
In 1934 Edna went to West Gippsland Hospital at Warragul, training as a Pupil Nurse for four years.
In that role she nursed sick children and infectious patients as well as working in the operation theatre.
She was deemed to be “an efficient and trustworthy nurse” who demonstration “loyal and efficient service”.
Having an obvious talent for nursing she would receive a Gold Badge for attaining highest marks in her class for two years running.
In 1938 Sister Burns began her midwifery training at the Women’s Hospital in Melbourne and was competent to discharge the duties of an obstetrical nurse just nine months later.
She continued to add to her qualifications and started her Infant welfare training at the Victorian Infant Welfare Centre, Carlton, in 1940.
Soon after that she returned to Benalla to work at a small 12-bed private hospital, Rossmore.
This would be a short stint, as the declaration of war by Australia required enlistments for all arms of the services, including nursing.
In October 1941 she signed up to the Australian Military Force (AMF).
During the next four to five years, she would be transferred to Townsville, Katherine, and Adelaide River.
She would then enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) where she would be promoted to Lieutenant in the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS).
In December 1944, Sister Edna left for New Guinea being deployed to numerous posts including the 104th Australian Casualty Clearing Stations.
She would serve a total of 1591 days outside Australia.
For service to her county Edna received numerous awards including the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1936-1945 and the Australian Service Medal.
In modern times we take for granted the excellent nursing care available to the community at Benalla Health.
However, before it was built privately owned, small, nursing hospitals looked after the sick, from as early as 1907.
A visit to a specialist involved a horse and buggy or train trip to Wangaratta.
These small nursing hospitals included Rossmore Hospital, later renamed Rosemore.
In 1932 the United Friendly Society investigated the need for a public hospital in Benalla.
And in 1934 the first committee met with public subscripting paying for a large portion of the land.
The cost of the building was £4000 and in 1935 the foundation stone was laid for the Benalla Bush Nursing Hospital.
In 1953 The Benalla and District Hospital now known as Benalla Health, was opened.
Prior to its completion a group of Benalla businessmen and women would purchase the plant and equipment to allow the Rossmore Hospital to remain open.
That was done in order for Benalla to have sufficient hospital accommodation for the sick and suffering to be able to receive treatment in their own town.
The syndicate felt there was a need for Rossmore to remain in operation while works were carried out at any cost — with the likelihood of no profit.
Sister Burns returned to Benalla and continued nursing. She took over the Rossmore Private Hospital in 1947.
She was responsible for the name change to Rosemore.
Medical, surgical and midwifery cases were all catered for, and three beds were set aside for children.
Sister Burns remained there until its closure in 1964. While there she would be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
After Rosemore closed she moved to a role at the Benalla District Memorial Hospital.
She became the charge nurse of the Midwifery Section.
For the first time in many years she worked regular hours and had days off. In 1976, after a fall which damaged her knee, she retired.
There would be thousands of people in Benalla and district over the years that would have been delivered by Sister Burns.
One memorable story was the birth of the Stewart triplets in 1962 where Sister Burns delivered, what locals believed to be, the first surviving set of triplets at Rosemore Private Hospital.
When news broke that three baby girls were born, the North Eastern Television Services decided to take a TV to the hospital for Mrs Stewart.
Today, the former Rossmore/Rosemore hospital is occupied by Ed Space.
Students today still need to find enough money to finance their tertiary education.
The Sister Edna Burns Trust manages to assist many people in Benalla, but it relies heavily on donations.
If you, or your business, wishes to make a donation to the Sister Edna Burns Trust, phone Jessica at Smith Dosser on 5762 1588 or via jess@smiths.net.au