Research Notes
Eunice Mary Gatens
1890-1975
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Born at Brunswick, 11 August 1890 to George Thomas Gatens & Catherine Mary Brilliant. Sixth of twelve children.
Before beginning her nursing training at the ODH, Eunice was living with her parents in West Brunswick.
From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April, 1925. Admitted as a patient with tonsillitis, on 20 November 1914. 26 November 1914 discharged to her sister, Mrs J. Smith of Newtown, Beechworth.
From the ODH House Committee 15 February 1915 – Nurse Gatens has completed her 3 months on trial and is satisfactory and her indentures are ready for signature.
From the ODH minutes of board meeting 16 February, 1915 - The seal of the hospital was ordered to be affixed to the … indentures of Nurse Gatens …
From the ODH House Committee report 20 September 1915 – Nurses Garlick & Gatens are ill and it had been found necessary to get in extra assistance and Nurse Newton had returned to the hospital for a few weeks at 25/- a week.
From the ODH House Committee report 15 November 1915 – … also that the two nurses who had typhoid were now better and Nurse Gatens would resume duty on 19th and Nurse Garlick about the middle of December.
From the December 1917 Una Journal R.V.T.N.A. EXAMINATION RESULTS - The following are the names of the successful candidates at the Examination held in November by the Conjoint Board of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association— … Beechworth Hospital (Ovens District)—Bessie Seddon Garlick, Eunice Mary Gatens, Elizabeth Adelaide Humphryis.
Date of qualification, December 1917.
From the ODH House Committee report 17 December 1917 – The Superintendent reported that Nurses Gatens, Garlick & Humphryis had passed their final trained nurses examinations. Nurse Gatens finished her training on December 5 and was now acting as Sister …
The Matron applied for a month’s leave of absence and would like to get away immediately after Xmas. This was granted, Sister Gatens to be acting matron.
From the minutes of ODH board meeting 15 January 1918 - … Sister Gatens was then called in and presented by the president with her certificate of registration. He congratulated her on her success and hoped that she would long spared to carry out her duties.
Tendered resignation from ODH in February 1918. See Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 20 February 1918
February 1918 Una Journal – General Register … Gatens, Eunice Mary, Hopetoun-avenue, West Brunswick-— Cert. Ovens District Hospital, December, 1917. Exam., Nov., 1917.
May 1919 – Eunice was admitted to the Albury Hospital with pneumonic influenza.
1921 & February 1922 - Living with her parents at 97 Hopetoun Ave, West Brunswick.
1922 ER is a nurse at the cottage hospital, Tallangatta.
Sister Eunice Gatens of the Tallangatta Cottage Hospital has tendered her resignation as she is going to do her six months’ training in the Women’s Hospital, Melbourne. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, 18 May 1923.
A pleasing little ceremony took place on Sunday last at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Tallangatta, when Father Lawless, on behalf of the members of the congregation, presented Miss Gatens (lat sister at Tallangatta Hospital) with a xylonite manicure set in recognition of her many services to the church. Miss Gatens, who is going to Melbourne to take a course of special training at the Women's Hospital, left Tallangatta on Saturday [23 June 1923] to take up her new duties. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, 29 June 1923.
1924 ER is at Women’s Hospital – trained nurse.
1925 & 1926 at Westham Private Hospital, Wangaratta.
Married Ernest John Drakeford at St Joseph’s Church, West Brunswick 29 May 1926. See Trove.
Had two children, Eunice, born April and Ernestine Ann born 1929 both of whom became nurses.
The family appear to have lived in Myrtleford from 1930 to 1942.
PERSONAL
Recuperating at Myrtleford, following an illness is Sister Gatens of Melbourne who is staying with her sister, Mrs. E. Drakeford, Prince Street. Myrtleford Times and Ovens Valley Advertiser, 15 April 1942.
By 1946 Eunice & Ernest are living at 39 Mackay Street, Essendon.
DRAKEFORD.—On December 17, at his home, 39 Mackay-street, Essendon, Ernest John, beloved husband of Eunice M., and father of Eunice and Ernestine. Home to His plains of peace, interred at Keilor on December 17. The Age, 18 December 1948.
DRAKEFORD. — On December 17, at his home 39 Mackay-street, Essendon, Ernest John, son of the late Samuel F. and Eliza M. Drakeford, formerly of Sale and Walhalla; beloved brother of Louis (U.S.A.). Peter (U.SA.), Fred (deceased), Maud (Mrs. P. Brown), Olive (Mrs. C. Hand),
Emma (Mrs. R. Liddell), Ettie (Mrs. C. Ryan), and Rose and Arthur S. Drakeford (Minister for Air). The Age, 18 December 1948.
1949 - 1954 Eunice is still living at 39 Mackay Street, Essendon.
1968 Eunice is living with her daughter Ernestine & son in law at 48 Murdoch Road, Wangaratta.
DRAKEFORD - On October 11 at Wangaratta, Eunice Mary. Dearly loved wife of the late Ernest, loved mother of Eunice (Woods), Ernestine (Mrs. L. Larkin), fond mother in law of Leo, dear grandmother of ten children. Rest in Peace The Age, 13 October 1975.
Eunice died, aged 85, on 11 October 1975 at Wangaratta and was buried with her husband at the Keilor Cemetery.
©Anne Hanson, 2023 E-mail: Anne Hanson
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