MARRIAGE

MORRISON-MORTON

On the 25th December 1894 at the residence of the bride’s parents, Wood Street, Beechworth, by the Rev. L.W. Lee, Elizabeth Wilson (Bessie), second daughter of Mr J.W. Morton, shire secretary to Charles Hugh Morrison, teacher, eldest son of Mr Joseph Morrison. Both of Beechworth. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 5 January 1895.

 Ivy was the only child Charles Hugh Morrison (schoolteacher) and Bessie Wilson Morton, born 18 January 1896 at Yackandandah.

THE LATE MR. CHARLES HUGH MORRISON.

The lamentable decease of this highly esteemed and respected gentleman at a period of life when there appeared every probability of his entering upon a most, successful career of public usefulness, has caused a wide spread feeling of sincere regret among all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. A brief sketch of his career, until so suddenly terminated by death, will enable our readers more fully to estimate his worth and accentuate the sorrow for his loss. As we have already stated, the deceased was the eldest son of Mr. Joseph Morrison, of Beechworth, and son-in law of Mr. J. W. Morton, secretary to the Beechworth Shire Council, having married Miss Bessie Morton during the Christmas of 1894. He was for several years connected with the Education Department, and was ultimately appointed as a relieving teacher. He afterwards held the position of head teacher at the Indigo State School, and subsequently at Osborne's Flat, Yackandandah, where he continued for over three years.

Upon his marriage the young couple established themselves in Yackandandah, where they soon gained the friendship of all with whom they became acquainted. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morrison possessed congenial tastes in regard to music, and as that gentleman was also an eloquent reciter, their talents soon became in requisition at any private or public entertainment, to either of which their services were always cheerfully rendered and as heartily appreciated. As a member of the Presbyterian Church, he took an active interest in the musical services and by his efforts the performances of the choir were brought to a high degree of vocal excellence. To his undoubted mental qualifications Mr. Morrison united a powerful and energetic physique and was a capable exponent of a variety of gymnastic and calisthenic exercises. With such a combination of social and intellectual qualities, it is not surprising that he was a general favorite not only with the public but with the children whose education he so efficiently directed.

Life at this stage seemed to hold out every hope of a happy and prosperous career, anticipations which un-fortunately were doomed to be speedily shattered. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison had enjoyed their married life but one short year, and their home had been enlivened by the advent of an infant girl, when the father was attacked by a species of influenza, which, in spite of the unremitting skill and attention of Dr. Mueller, who was afterwards assisted by Dr. Healy, ultimately developed into incurable diabetes. As a natural consequence Mr. Morrison was compelled to relinquish his scholastic duties, and throughout the summer he was confined to his bed suffering severely, but assiduously tended by his young wife assisted by her mother, and the brothers of both. The medical gentlemen visited him daily and after several painful operations had been performed, Mr. Morrison appeared to recover to some extent.

With the hope that a change of air might expedite his recovery to entire health, he was removed to his parents' home at Beechworth about a fortnight since, but the hope was vain, as he was taken worse quite unexpectedly, and after a short but severe struggle with the invincible enemy, succumbed at the early age of 27 years. The sad intelligence was quickly disseminated throughout the district, and inspired a universal feeling of surprise and regret, mingled with the deepest sympathy for the bereaved young wife and infant child, as well as for his parents and relatives.

The funeral took place at the Beechworth Cemetery on Wednesday last, and the cortege, which was under the direction of Mr. D. Wilson, was numerously attended, not only by residents of that town, but also by a number from Yackandandah, who attended to show a last token of respect for one whom in life they had so highly esteemed. A service was conducted at the residence of Mr. Morrison, sen., by the Revs. W. H. Cooper .and J. H. Meek, who also officiated at the interment. The Rev. Mr. Meek appeared particularly affected by the performance of this mournful duty, and we are informed that he will refer to the painful subject, at the Presbyterian Church, Yackandandah, on Sunday next (to-morrow) during the morning service.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 12 June 1897.

SALE OF FURNITURE – Mr W Moore will hold a sale of furniture and household effects on account of Mrs. C.H. Morrison at Yackandandah, tomorrow. The furniture is almost new and affords a splendid opportunity to those about to furnish, as everything must be sold. The sale will start at one o’clock punctually to allow of its being concluded before the football match. Yackandandah Times, 2 July 1897.

It seems that Ivy and her mother relocated to Elizabeth’s parents’ home in Wood Street, Beechworth shortly after the death of Ivy’s father.

Miss Ivy Morrison who has for some time assisted her grandfather, (Mr J.W. Morton) in the Shire secretary’s office at Beechworth has gone to Albury to the firm of Mates and Co. Miss Morris was a popular singer and will be missed in Beechworth. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 30 August 1919.

1919 ER Wood Street, Beechworth. Occupation Typiste.

From the ODH House Committee report 18 October 1920 – … The secretary reported that Miss Ivy Morrison had been engaged as probationer nurse.

From the ODH House Committee report 14 February 1921 – … Nurse Morrison and Nurse Alexander have completed their term of probation and have been passed by the medical officers and approved by the matron.

From the ODH House Committee report 14 March 1921 – … Nurse Morrison had signed her indentures.

From the ODH House Committee report 15 August 1922 – The secretary reported that … Nurse Morrison was ill with diphtheria …

From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April, 1925: admitted to ODH 13 August 1922 with diphtheria. Discharged to her mother, 1 September 22.

From the ODH House Committee report 21 November 1922 – Nurse Morrison, Ferguson, Alexander & Finnis have passed their exam in Anatomy & Physiology they were examined by Dr. Lawrence.

From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April, 1925. Admitted as a patient with influenza on 21 May 1923. 30 May 1923 discharged to her mother Mrs Morrison, Wood Street, Beechworth.

Among the successful candidates at the bi-annual examination of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses' Association were Misses Irene Winifred Alexander and Doris Ivy Morrison, trained at the Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth.  Albury Banner & Wodonga Express 22 June 1923 -

July 1923 Una Journal, EXAMINATIONS. Successful Candidates. Following is the list of successful candidates in connection with the bi-annual examinations of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association :— … Beechworth Hospital — Irene Winifred Alexander, Doris Ivy Morrison.

From the ODH House Committee report 20 November 1923 – Nurse Morrison completed her 3 year training today, and subject to your approval, the matron would like to retain her for a while @ £2-2-0 per week as two nurses are away ill, and it was recommended that Nurse Morrison be retained at £2-2-0 per week …

Date of qualification – November 1923.

From the ODH House Committee report 15 January 1924 – Sister Morrison is still on duty at £2-2-0 per week.

From the ODH House Committee report 15 February 1924 – … instead of Sister Morrison who is expected to take charge while the matron is holidays.

From the ODH House Committee report 21 March 1924 – The Secretary reported that Sister Ferguson had left and that Sister Morrison had been engaged with the consent of the chairman at 2½ guineas per week, she could stay until the 17th of May when she goes to Melbourne to study midwifery.

March 1924 Una Journal – Registrations - Morrison, Ivy Doris, Wood-street, Beechworth; exam., May, 1923; cert., Beechworth Hospital, November, 1923.

Matron Morgan, of the Ovens District Hospital, has gone on her annual leave. During her absence, her duties will be performed by Sister Ivy Morrison. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 9 April 1924.

From the ODH House Committee report 16 January 1925 – Sister Ivy Morrison is acting matron at present but she can only stay until Wednesday next. [21 January 1925]

Registered as a midwife January 1925.

From 1925 Ivy ran a private hospital known as ‘Rockview’ in Wood Street, Beechworth. Rockview was possibly located on the corner of Wood and Frederick Streets. 

Beechworth Shire Council Meeting October 7 1927

… Inward Correspondence

From Nurse Morrison, Rockview Private Hospital, asking that the water service be supplied from Sydney Road instead of Last Stret as a present the supply was insufficient for hospital purposes – matter to be reported on. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 8 October 1927.

 From a special meeting of ODH house committee 14 August 1928 … Doctor Borland said that this hospital was no longer referred as a training school as Wangaratta was contemplating the erection of a base hospital which would be sufficient for the requirements of this district and that this hospital could be converted into a cottage hospital with a ward for those who could afford to pay and with certain alterations maternity wards could be established and that Sister Morrison was prepared to relinquish her private hospital and take charge of this one.

PERSONAL

Quite a painful sensation was caused among the numerous friends of Sister Ivy Morrison, proprietress of “Rockview” private hospital, Beechworth, when it became known on Saturday last [9 November 1929] that she was under treatment in the Ovens District Hospital for acute appendicitis. It will take time to effect a cure and restore this worthy nurse to the good work in which she has proved herself so very conscientious and efficient. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 13 November 1929.

MORRISON – On the 15 November at Beechworth, Sister Ivy Doris Morrison, “Rockview” private hospital, daughter of Mrs. And the late Charles Morrison. Aged 38 years. Deeply regretted. Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 16 November 1929.

Death of Sister Morrison

A sensation, reminiscent of the war period, was caused in Beechworth last Friday night [15 November 1929] by the very sad news that Sister Ivy Morrison, who, a few days previous, underwent an operation for acute appendicitis in the Ovens District Hospital, had suddenly passed away. Sister Morrison was the only child of the late Charles Morrison, a State school teacher, and Mrs. Morrison and granddaughter of Mr. J.W. Morton, who for very many years was Shire secretary at Beechworth. After leaving school Miss Morrison was assistant in the Shire secretary s office for a time and held other positions of a similar nature, but subsequently found her natural vocation as a nurse. She trained in the Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth, and the Women’s Hospital, Melbourne. Upon completing her training, Sister Morrison established ‘“Rockview” private hospital, in Beechworth, which proved successful immediately. Sister Morrison was naturally singularly well adapted for the nursing profession. Of splendid physique, good natured and very capable, she was also blessed with a wonderful bedside manner that gave strength and confidence to her patients. Full of true womanly sympathy and compassion, and rare discretion in the application of those qualities, Sister Morrison s uplifting influence on depressed, ailing patients or fretful children was remarkable. Her fame as a capable and most conscientious nurse soon became widely known and the patronage extended to her private hospital correspondingly increased. For some time, she was well aware that she was a victim of appendicitis, but put off the essential operation from day to day till the trouble became acute and more difficult to treat. About a week prior to her death, the operation, which could no longer be delayed, was successfully performed. For days her precious life hung in the balance till Thursday when there was a decided improvement. This was maintained on Friday afternoon, the patient, though weak, being bright and cheerful. Suddenly there was a change. Dr. Borland was summoned and attended in a minute or two, but too late, Sister Morrison’s heart had suddenly failed and she was no more.

People were horror stricken by the news and on Sunday afternoon her funeral was exceptionally large and representative. Rev. J. Ebery impressively read the burial service of the Congregational Church and spoke also in praise of Sister Morrison’s good work in her profession and in her home, while several hundred men stood in the rain by the open grave in mute demonstration of grief at the untimely death of one whom it seemed the world stood so greatly in need. There were many floral tributes all intended to show sympathy for Mrs Morrison in her great and irreparable loss. Mr. H.P. Farley conducted the funeral. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 20 November 1929.

At the monthly meeting of the Ovens District Hospital special reference was made to the death of Sister Ivy Morrison who was a trainee of the institution. It was agreed to send a letter of sympathy to her mother. The Argus, 22 November 1929.

MORRISON – Sacred to the loving memory of my dear friend, Sister Ivy Morrison, who gained her reward on November 15, 1929. Her life was one whole sacrifice. Her heart was true and tender; She toiled so hard for those she loved, Then left us to remember. – (Inserted by Mrs W. [Lizzie Drina] Wood). Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 15 November 1930.

MRS. E. W. MORRISON.

The death occurred at Beechworth on June 6th, of Mrs. Elizabeth W. Morrison, wife of the late Mr. Charles Hugh Morrison, and daughter of the late Mr. J. W. Morton. Mrs. Morrison was a life-long resident of Beechworth and held the distinction of being a member of the Beechworth Congregational Church for over 50 years, and one of its most active workers, covering practically the whole period. She was widely known for her kindly acts and many will remember her and her kindnesses in association with her daughter, Ivy (Sister Morrison), who predeceased her. The late Mrs. Morrison had been in failing health for some time and bore her illness with great fortitude. Closer surviving relatives of the deceased are Gertrude (Mrs. P. Boulton, Beechworth), sister, John W. (Sydney) and Hugh C. (Melbourne), brothers, and Mrs. W. H. Morton (One Mile), sister-in-law. The funeral arrangements were conducted by Mr. H. P. Farley, and Pastor L. H. Sharp officiated at the burial. Many beautiful floral tributes were received. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 14 June 1941.

©Anne Hanson, 2024                                                                                                 E-mail:  Anne Hanson