Matron Ettie Gill...Children's Hospital, Subiaco (1929).
There are many articles on Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia about women who dedicated their lives to the nursing profession in Western Australia.
This post is about one of those women, Ettie Gill who was matron at the Children's Hospital in Subiaco and the Perth Hospital for many years. She helped trained nurses who went to World War One. She died suddenly of heart failure in 1929.
The articles and photograph are copied below from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Daily News, 10 August 1929,
SUDDEN DEATH TODAY
Children's Hospital Matron
Miss E. Gill, matron of the Children's Hospital, was found dead in her room at the hospital this morning. Miss Gill had occupied the position of matron since February, and prior to that for ten years was matron of the Perth Hospital. She took a prominent part in the Australian Trained Nurses' Association. Miss Gill was on duty this morning, and was found in her room at 11.30 o'clock. If is understood that heart failure was the cause of the matron's death.
West Australian, 23 August 1929.
THE LATE MISS GILL.
A Life of Service.
The sudden death of Miss Ettie Gill, matron of the Children's Hospital, Perth, and late matron of the Perth Hospital, is deeply regretted by members of the medical and nursing professions in Western Australia and in the Eastern States for her gracious disposition, high principles, devotion to duty and earnest endeavour to set a high standard for those she trained to follow.
Miss Gill was beloved and admired by all privileged to know her. She will be missed far and wide. Nurses trained by her during; her long term of office as matron of the Perth Hospital, now scattered in all countries of the world, have kept continually in touch with her.
The frequent receipt of interesting and appreciative letters from these nurses was a source of much pleasure to Miss Gill. The high place in which Perth Hospital trained nurses are held in medical circles, both throughout the Commonwealth and in England, is due mainly to her thorough and able instruction.
Miss Gill's credentials and administrative ability were such as to fit her for the highest hospital positions in the world she preferred, however, to remain in Perth to be near her sister, Mrs. Young, of Claremont. During the war, with a greatly reduced staff, Miss Gill speeded up training and sent large numbers of thoroughly qualified nurses to the front.
Under, her management the Perth Hospital largely increased its sphere of usefulness and added to its branch at West Subiaco for infectious cases, the Kalamunda Convalescent Hospital, and an additional ward for returned soldiers. Miss Gill's cheery and bright personality inspired and comforted those with whom she worked. Her life ended with tragic abruptness.
Father Christmas arrives at the Children's Hospital in Subiaco in 1929.
Daily News, 11 December 1929.
