Research Notes
Doris Collins
1911 - 2007
1911 - 2007
The oldest child of nine children born to Anthony Collins & Flora Hobbs. Anthony was farmer in the Lake Harvey/Back Creek district near Yackandandah. Born 24 July 1911.
Went to school at Back Creek. Passed her qualifying examination. See Yackandandah Times, 23 January 1923.
Miss Doris Collins, daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Collins of Back Creek, who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Albury Hospital, we are pleased to report that she is progressing favourably. Yackandandah Times, 23 October 1925.
1929 commenced her general nursing training at the Ovens District Hospital (ODH), Beechworth.
Qualified in December 1932.
From the ODH house committee report 21 March 1933 – Matron’s report was received recommending that nurse Collins be engaged whilst Sister Lane is on holidays. She would accept the same salary as Sister Lane and there would not be any travelling expenses as she was staying with her parents at Back Creek, Yackandandah …
1933 & 1935 address is “Ellane," Dederang Roadside, via Wodonga.
Married Keith Storey, 11 April 1935 at South Melbourne.
1937 ER Doris and Keith are at East Murchison – Keith a labourer. The property Keith was working on belonged to his parents.
1942 ER Doris and Keith are at 36 Heath Avenue, Oakleigh. Keith is a soldier. Enlisted 20 June 1942. Date of Discharge 45 Nov 1947 – Staff Sergeant.
Storey – On December 7 at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Suzanne, dearly beloved younger daughter of Staff Sergeant Keith and Doris Storey (nee Collins) 36 Heath Avenue, Oakleigh and loved sister of Lesley, aged 1 year 10 months. The Age, 8 December 1943.
1949 - 1980 ER Doris & Keith are farming at Yackandandah. The name of the farm was Millfield which according to Storey family folklore they bought after Keith backed Rivett, a mare who won the Caulfield & Melbourne Cup in November 1939. Eventually, Millfield became a guest house with one of their famous guests, according to Storey descendants, being Ronnie Biggs, the master mind of the Great Train Robbery. Ronnie, in 1964, was sentenced to 30 years. However, after escaping from Wandsworth jail in 1965, he and his family eventually fled to Australia. Unfortunately for Doris & Keith he left without paying!
Doris returned to nursing during these years and was appointed temporary staff nurse of a female ward on 15 June 1961 at the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum. See Beechworth Asylum Staff Register 1867-1966
In December 1962, her position as temporary deputy charge was redesignated as temporary charge nurse female. She resigned from this role on 7 March 1966.
Doris died aged 95 at the Yackandandah Hospital on 16 March 2007.
STOREY. - Doris. At Yackandandah Hospital on Mar. 16, 2007, aged 95 years Beloved wife of Keith (dec.). Loving mother and mother-in- law of Lesley and Leslie, Suzanne (dec.), John and Betty (dec.) and Jenny, Colin and Nanette, Denise and Rainer. Loved Nanna of 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Herald Sun, 19 March 2007.
©Anne Hanson, 2024 E-mail: Anne Hanson