Researcch Notes
Betty Jean Martin
1926 - 2011
Born 22 January 1926 at the family farm on the Beechworth Road, Chiltern to John McIntyre Martin and Betsy Marie Maud Newey.
Was one of five children – spent many happy hours rabbiting and riding with her siblings.
Took it in turns with her brother John in riding to the Chiltern school on the Beechworth Road.
Merit Certificate grades 7 to 8 – 28 November 1939.
On her 17th birthday, Betty commenced general nursing training at the Ovens District Hospital, (ODH) in January 1943. In her first year of she attended 24 general nursing lectures. Source, Pupil Nurse’s Progress Certificate.
December 1943 she passed her First Professional examination .
For the second year of her training Betty entered Wangaratta Base Hospital’s nurses’ training school where she attended 50 lectures including medical and surgical nursing, materia medica (the study of the origin and properties of substances used in the practice of medicine), infectious diseases, eye, ear, nose and throat, gynaecological and children’s nursing. Source Pupil Nurse’s Progress Certificate.
She returned to the Ovens District Hospital to complete her third year of training and attended 55 lectures. Source, Pupil Nurse’s Progress Certificate.
Trainee nurses had to live in the nurses’ home, but on her days off Betty rode her bike from the nurses’ home in Sydney Road, Beechworth to her family home on the Beechworth-Chiltern Road on her days off.
ABOUT PEOPLE
At the recent final examinations of the Nurses’ Board, Nurse B.J. Martin of the Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth was one of the successful candidates. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 20 July 1946.
ABOUT PEOPLE
Nurse B.J. Martin who recently successfully completed her training was entertained at a party at the Ovens District Hospital this week and presented with a silver sugar basin by the nursing staff and a silver sandwich tray by the domestic staff of the hospital. … Congratulations were extended to Sister Gee who also announced her engagement that night. A delightful supper was served, rounding off a very happy evening. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 31 August 1946.
General Nursing Qualification Certificate
General Training Graduation Photo
Reference written by Dr Childs, the ODH’s chief medical officer.
Reference written by Caroline Dyring, Matron of the ODH.
Betty resigned as Sister from the ODH to take up a position as staff nurse at the Dandenong and District Hospital in October 1946. A position she held until March 1948.
From 21 July 1948-31 December 1948 she was Sister in charge of the Intermediate Ward of the Williamstown & District General Hospital where she endeared herself to both patients and staff.
Betty in January 1949, relocated to the Royal Hospital for Women at Paddington, Sydney where she successfully undertook a nine-month course in Obstetric Nursing.
From an article in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser dated 23 July 1951, Betty is a member of staff at the ODH.
Betty was bridesmaid to Gwen Farley who married Alfred Richardson at Christ Church, Beechworth in October 1951. See Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 14 November 1951.
WEDDING BELLS
BARTSH—MARTIN.
St. Paul s Church of England, Chiltern was beautifully decorated by members of the Ladies' Guild on Saturday. 23rd August for the marriage of Betty Jean, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Martin, Beechworth Road, Chiltern South, to Adrian John, only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Bartsh, “Sunnyside,” Baarmutha. The Rev. Father S. Goldsworthy officiated, and the solo’ “O Perfect Love” was sung.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a beautiful gown of brocaded satin made with a fitted bodice and Peter Pan collar. The skirt featured a three-tier marquisette front panel and full back of unpressed pleats falling into a long train. Her embroidered tulle veil loaned by her sister, Mrs. K. Robinson, was held in place by a Juliet cap of brocaded satin and she carried a bouquet of carnations and gardenias.
The bride was attended by her two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Robinson as matron of honor and Miss Joan Martin as bridesmaid. They wore identical frocks of ice blue with lace jackets and very full skirts of marquisette. They also wore matching mittens and Juliet caps, and their Rhinestone; brooches were gifts of the bridegroom. Their bouquets were of red carnations and blue hyacinths.
The bridegroom had Mr. Kenneth Robinson as best man and. Mr. Laurie Carn as groomsman.
The Memorial Hall, Chiltern, where the reception was held was decorated with mixed flowers. The bride’s mother wore junior navy accessories and a shoulder spray of pink carnations with her grey frock, while the Bridegroom’s mother chose a blue-grey suit with junior navy accessories and a shoulder spray of white carnations.
The young couple later left by train for Melbourne, the bride travelling in a grey suit with junior navy accessories and a shoulder spray of orchids.
They will make their home at Baarmutha. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 4 October 1952.
OBITUARY
MR. J. M. MARTIN.
A member of a pioneering family of Chiltern, Mr. John McIntyre Martin, of Beechworth Road, Chiltern, passed away on Monday, 29th August, at the age of 66 years after being in indifferent health for a number of years.
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Taylor Martin, early settlers of Chiltern, he married at Chiltern Miss Betsy Marie Newey, of Chiltern, and took up property on the Beechworth Road, where he has lived and farmed all his life.
Although interested in football, cricket was his great love in sport, and at it he became a player above the average. Apart from that, he did not take a very active part in public affairs owing to his health.
Left, to mourn their loss is his devoted wife and the following members of the family: John McIntyre (Chiltern), William Albert (Powelltown), Betty Jean (Mrs. A. Bartsh, Beechworth), Mary (Mrs. K. Robinson, Beechworth) and Joan (Mrs. J. Watkins, Wangaratta).
After a service at his late residence conducted by Canon Ross Edwards, interment took place in. the Church of England portion of the Chiltern New Cemetery, Canon Ross Edwards reading the burial service.
The casket was carried by Messrs. John and William Martin (sons), Charlie and Norman Martin (nephews), and A. Bartsh and K. Robinson (sons-in-law). The pallbearers were Messrs. Bill and Joe Martin (brothers), Dave Martin (cousin), Bill and Jack Newey and T. Gibbons (brothers-in-law). Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 7 September 1955.
OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL
NINETY-SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING HELD
… Dr. Leembruggen said the hospital committee, the nursing staff and himself worked amicably together. The. past year had been difficult because of staff shortages, but at last a state of stability had been reached which he hoped would continue. The services of several former sisters of the hospital during the year had been greatly appreciated. These were Mrs. A. Bartsh (Sister Martin). Mrs. Ron McLean (Sister Richardson) and Mrs. G. Snow (Sister Broughton) They had helped out when staff could not be obtained. Dr. Leembruggen expressed his sincere thanks for what these three had done. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 26 August 1953.