Born 4 July 1900 at Carlton. The oldest of 4 children born to Florence Agnes Brinsmeade and Thomas Meades. Agnes born 1903, Thomas 1906, and Louisa 1908. Florence died aged 30 in 1910.

 MARRIED WOMAN'S DEATH.

The city coroner (Dr. Cole) yesterday held an inquiry respecting the death of Florence Agnes Meades, a married woman, aged 30, which occurred in the Women's Hospital on August 24. Dr. Elizabeth E. Clucas stated that deceased was admitted to the hospital on August 16, and on the 17th an operation was performed on her by Dr. Cuscaden. She was found to be suffering from pelvic peritonitis. On the 20th she made a statement to the effect that three days before she was admitted, she had tampered with herself. Thomas Mendes, hotel employee, stated that deceased was his wife. They had been married ten years, and had four children. While in the hospital he had told her what the doctor had told him regarding her case, and she replied, "Yes, I am to blame. I am suffering for my own folly.'' His wife dreaded maternity. Dr. Cole.—Although this woman takes the blame on herself, that is not to say that she operated on herself. We have so many cases in which it is impossible to say who did it. He then recorded the following verdict:— "I find that on August 24, in the Women's Hospital, Carlton, where she was an inpatient, Florence Agnes Meades died from acute septic peritonitis, the result of a criminal operation. There is not sufficient evidence to determine by whom the operation was performed.” The Argus, 31 August 1910

FLEMINGTON POLICE COURT

PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY

CALLOUS FATHER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. The unfeeling manner in which some parents leave their children to the "mercies of the world" was illustrated during the hearing of a case at Flemington Court on Tuesday, when a clean-shaven man of good physique, who gave his name as Thomas Meades, pleaded guilty to a charge of deserting two of his children, at present wards of the State.

The story narrated to Messrs. C. J. Cook, W. Shaw, J. Fehan, and J. McSwiney, who occupied the Bench, was as follows:—Mrs. Meades, wife of the accused, died at Carlton in August, 1910, leaving four children. The two eldest [Elizabeth & Agnes] were provided for by charitably disposed people in the Cheltenham Home, the two younger children [Thomas & Louisa] were handed over to accused's sister, Mrs. Annie Brinsmead, wife of Mr. Alexander Brinsmead, of Victoria Street, Flemington.

In consideration of the Brinsmeads agreeing to care for the children, Meades signed an agreement binding him to contribute 10/-per week for their maintenance. The agreement was not fulfilled, and in October the children were brought before the Flemington Court and committed to the care of the State, who in turn boarded them out to Mrs. Brinsmead, and for four years fulfilled what was undoubtedly the responsibility, of the father by contributing the cost of their maintenance at the rate fixed by Meades. Prior to Mrs. Brinsmead taking steps to have the children properly cared for, she alleges that her brother (Meades) had been indulging in "riotous living," while he apparently thought his sister was prepared to enslave herself looking after his offspring. Then Meades disappeared, and for four years a warrant for his arrest remained unexecuted, owing to the authorities being unable to trace his whereabouts. In the meantime, the State had disbursed upwards of £100 in providing for the children. During the whole of this period Meades had not contributed one farthing to their support. A few weeks ago, Meades was traced to Kempsey, N.S.W., near the Queensland border, and Constable T. J. Harrison, who is stationed at Fitzroy, journeyed there and executed the long-delayed warrant. He admitted the desertion, but offered no excuse for his callous behaviour. When the Bench reminded Meades that his offence was now, owing to the introduction of a new Act, regarded as indictable, and therefore must be remitted to a jury, accused complained that he had already been remanded four different times during his journey to Flemington, and expressed a hope that the Bench would finally deal with the case. Mr. C. J. Cook (chairman) said this was impossible, and Meades was committed to take his trial at the General Sessions beginning on 1st March next. Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter, 25 February 1915.

 Thomas was sentenced to three months’ hard labour in March 1915.

 From the ODH House Committee report 15 March 1927 – Nurse Meades has arrived and started as probationer.

 From the ODH House Committee report 21 June 1927 – Nurse Meades has completed her 3 months’ probation and is approved of by the medical officer and matron.

 From the ODH house committee report 21 August 1928 – The secretary reported that … Nurse Elliott and Meades have resigned and are going to Wangaratta.

 … It was agreed to recommend that the resignations of the following trainees be not entertained, viz Kathleen O’Toole, Kathleen Elliott and Elsie [sic] Meades and that their salaries not be paid if they broke their agreement or indentures.

From the ODH house committee report 16 October 1928 – Nurse Meades a trainee who had left against the ruling of this committee and accepted a position at Wangaratta Hospital rang up to ask if she would be allowed to return to continue her training. The President and chairman approved of this and she is again on duty in this institution.

The staff is comprised as follows Matron Miss Daly, Sister Miss Hickey. Trainees Nurses White, Meades, McGrath, Mack, Lewis, Smith, Meehan and Galbraith. They are all working satisfactorily and matron reports that they appear to be content and anxious to carry out their duties.

From the ODH House Committee report 18 December 1928 – Nurse Meades was not well and was sent on her annual holidays.

 From the ODH house committee report 21 January 1930 – The Secretary reported that … Nurse Meades will complete her 3 years in about 3 months.

Date of qualification – March 1931, Beechworth & Allied Hospitals.

 1931, 1939, 1943 & 1944 – Elizabeth's address is C/O Mrs G. Dowell, 5 Benalla St., Benalla.

 25 May 1934 – registered as midwife (Queen Victoria Hospital, April 1934) and is living at 483 Lt. Lonsdale Street, most likely the hospital itself.

 1935 – nurse at Colac District Hospital

1938 – is at Ashton Hospital, 15 Lawley Crescent, Mt Lawley, WA

1942 – nurse at Wangaratta Hospital

1954 – King St., Yarram – nurse

1958 – 5 Sargood Street, Altona – nurse

From the ODH House Committee report 19 November 1962 – Matron Fagan has commenced leave and will be away for five weeks, Sister Meades is acting as matron during this period.

From the ODH House Committee report 18 March 1963 – Matron M Fagan is on annual leave. Sister Meades is acting matron.

From early February 1977 until the time of her death Elizabeth was a resident of the Ingram Ward at the Ovens & Murray Hospital for the Aged, Beechworth. An elderly Beechworth resident who worked at the home, remembers her as a ‘frail little old lady who often smelt of alcohol.’

©Anne Hanson, 2024                                                                                    E-mail:  Anne Hanson