From the Una Journal, September 1909 – RVTNA General Register

Morgan, Agnes Helen, 22 Northcote Road, Armadale—Cert. Homoeopathic Hospital, 1909.

1912-1913 ER at a trained nurses’ home located at 22 Northcote Road, Armadale.

1914-1917 ER 7 Sydenham Street, Moonee Ponds, the home of her parents.

From the ODH House Committee report, 15 October 1918 - … until the 7th of October when Miss Morgan who had been engaged in Melbourne took charge for 3 months as acting matron at the same remuneration is Matron Winning … The new matron was making several alterations in the workings of the hospital and she intended to gradually reduce the staff …The acting matron had also sent in a requisition for window blinds and for material to hang on the walls of the nurses bedrooms over the clothes where sheets were now used and also for tacks for cupboards doors and for permission to change the dining room to one downstairs and to alter some of the nurses bedrooms. It was agreed to recommend to the board that the necessary permission be granted subject to the approval of the medical officer.

... From Miss Morgan, acting matron, suggesting a re-arrangement of rooms, locks for linen cupboards, etc. ... Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 16 October 1918.

From the ODH House Committee report, 18 November 1918 - the acting matron has given the cook one weeks’ notice and she proposed with the approval of the committee to put the present assistant cook on as head cook at the same salary as the present cook was receiving and give the assistant laundress 15 shillings per week instead of 14 shillings per week and she would help in the kitchen and laundry when required and the laundress to receive 20 shillings per week to do the work except at odd times when she would be assisted by the maid who helps in the kitchen. This will effect a saving of 10/6 per week for one person’s board and lodging.

From the ODH House Committee report, 18 November 1918 - the matron’s sitting room was in a bad state and she asked for some repairs - the walls painted. It was agreed to recommend that this be done.

From the ODH House Committee report, 16 December 1918 – The 3 months agreement with Miss Morgan as acting matron would expire on January 7th 1919 and that there would not be another meeting of the Board until 21st of January 1919. The secretary was instructed to bring the matter before the board on the following evening.

From the minutes of ODH board meeting, 17 December 1918: Appointment of Matron – Mr Zwar moved that Miss Agnes H Morgan who had been acting matron during the past ten months be appointed matron of the hospital at a salary of £2-0-0 per week …

From the ODH House Committee report, 20 January 1919 – Matron asks for gas rings in the pantrys [sic] of the female and accident [wards] … the kerosene stove in the accident ward is continually getting out of order, and consumes too much kerosene. The gas will be much cheaper and the cost will not exceed 25/- for fittings. It was agreed to recommend that this be done provided it did not cost more for gas.

From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April, 1925. Admitted as a patient with influenza on 9 July 1919. 20 July 1919 discharged to her father, H.L. Morgan, Byron Lodge, Sydenham Street, Moonee Ponds.

From the ODH House Committee report, July 14 1919 – The matron and nurses Mowatt, Bruce & Giblett are ill with influenza. Miss Florence I’Anson a trained nurse from Wangaratta has been engaged. Miss Jean Finnis volunteered and commenced duty on Saturday & Mrs Longmore[1] started on Monday. Miss Alderdice[2] also came for 2 hours on Monday and will come when required. Miss Maggie McKenzie also offered her services and Dr Catarinich had offered the services of 2 nurses from the mental hospital if required.

From the ODH House Committee report, 18 August 1919 – The matron and 3 nurses had recovered from influenza and were on duty. … The matter of extra pay for the staff nurses engaged on Influenza cases was referred to the board.

From the ODH House Committee report, 15 March 1920 – The matron applied for her 3 weeks annual leave from 24th April …

FFrom the ODH House Committee report, 20 April 1920 – … The matron and nurses assisted by several ladies and gentlemen in the town were running a series of Euchre Parties to raise funds for the purchase of a new sterilizer for the hospital.

They desired to pay the money into the General Fund for the present and asked if the hospital committee would kindly see that it was spent on providing a sterilizer. It was agreed to recommend that this be done. …

The secretary reported that he had attended a meeting of the Returned Soldiers Association and explained that blankets, bedding and other necessary articles were badly needed for the Winter and asked for their co-operation in running an Art Union for the purpose of issuing the necessary funds

From the ODH House Committee report, 13th September 1920 – … The matron requisitioned for the following articles, cups & saucers, small plates, Damask, 2 window blinds & 50 yards corde calico. It was agreed to recommend to the Board that these articles be obtained.

From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April, 1925. Admitted as a patient with a septic throat on 23 December 1920. 4 January 1921 discharged to her father, H.L. Morgan, 7 Sydenham Street, Moonee Ponds.

From the ODH House Committee report, 17th January 1921 – The Matron has been ill since the 23rd inst., and she applied for her annual holiday from the 4th inst., and the necessary permission was approved of by the President and Chairman of the House Committee who also approved of Miss Madge Wilson being appointed acting matron at a salary of £3-3-0 per week if only for a short period but if for any length of time the salary to be £10-16-8 per month the same as the matron receives.

From the ODH House Committee report, 14th February 1921 – … The secretary reported that the matron had returned from sick leave and holiday.

From the ODH House Committee report, 17 October 1921 – The Matron asked for five days leave to go to Melbourne and the chairman had given the necessary permission. She went on Wednesday morning and returned today. Nurse Pini was in charge during her absence.

From the ODH House Committee report, 22 November 1921 – Owing to the departure of two nurses on completion of their training, the matron asked for extra help and after interviewing the president and chairman of the house committee, a nurse was engaged from Melbourne, she only stayed a fortnight and the Nurses’ Club sent another without notifying the hospital, she is still here.

From the ODH House Committee report, 20 December 1921 – The Secretary reported that the wiring for the electric light was proceeding and that the foundation for the lighting plant was about completed.

From the ODH House Committee report, 16 January 1922 – The difficulty of getting a laundress was mentioned and a recommendation was made that the secretary communicate with the Immigration Bureau and that the best possible arrangements be made to carry on the work in the meantime.

… that the wiring for electric light had been completed as far as possible pending the arrival of the lighting plant which was expected to leave New York on 28th of December last.

… The chairman produced particulars of alterations to nurses bedrooms and it was agreed to recommend that they be carried out in accordance with the wishes of the Matron.

At the Ovens District Hospital there has been completed the installation of electric light and an up-to-date X-ray plant, subscribed for by the general public. There is a movement on foot to install an electric-lighting plant for Beechworth.

Argus Newspaper, 12 April 1922. 

From the ODH House Committee report, 21 March 1922 – The matron applied for her annual holidays and also for an electric iron for use on the premises. Both requests were recommended to the board.

From the ODH House Committee report, 24 April 1922 – The matron expects to go for her holidays on Wednesday next and Sister Humphyris of Yackandandah has been engaged to take charge during the matron’s absence.

From the ODH House Committee report, 15 August 1922 – The matron had supplied a list of articles needed for use in the institution

From the ODH House Committee report, 19 September 1922 – The matron arrived back and resumed duty on Friday last …While in Ballarat the matron had seen a sterilizer[3] at a private hospital made by John Danks & Son. She strongly recommended it and she was told that it cost £35. I [secretary] have written to Messrs Danks for specification and quote for one similar.

From the ODH House Committee report, 21 November 1922 – The matron asks for 100 sheets and 20 yards of tablecloth.

From the ODH House Committee report, 20 February 1923 – Matron asks if you will allow her to engage Nurse Bakes so that she can give some of the nurses their annual holidays. She says that if she had Nurse Bakes she could let two nurses off at the same time. The salary for Nurse Bakes would be £3-3-0 per week. … With regard to nurses’ holidays, it was recommended to send only one nurse on holiday at a time, and not to engage extra assistance as the number of patients did not warrant it.

From the ODH House Committee report, 20 March 1923 – The matron asks for more nursing assistance, at present there are 4 nurses in their 3rd year, 2 in their 2nd year and the 2 probationers [Goonan & Benzie] who are talking of leaving … The matron asked for her annual holidays, Nurse Bakes is willing to take charge during her absence. …It was agreed to appoint an extra nurse at once as several new patients have been admitted.

From the ODH House Committee report, 12 April 1923[4] – A request by the nursing staff for extra time off on completion of their term of night duty and also to consider the hours that the nurses are on duty. Several letters were received from other hospitals in reply to a request from this hospital asking for particulars re the time off allowed to night nurses and to the hours that nurses are on duty.

The committee considered every detail and interviewed the matron on the subject and after exhaustive inquiry they agreed to adjourn and place and place their views and recommendations before the General Committee at the next meeting.

From the ODH House Committee report, 15 May 1923 – Matron has returned from her holidays, she was unable to get a cook in Melbourne but has heard of one here and has written to her.

From the ODH House Committee report, 19 June 1923 – The openings or doorways at the top of the steps leading to the lavatory at the back of No. 8 Ward let the rain beat in and the matron informed me that Dr. Lawrence recommends that some protection be provided … The floors of the wards are badly in need of renovation, the matron asked me to mention it to you.

From the ODH House Committee report, 15 February 1924 – A letter was received from the matron asking for her annual holiday to date from 20 March and asking for 28 days instead of 21.[5]

From the ODH House Committee report, 21 March 1924 – A letter was read from the matron asking for more assistance on the nursing staff. It was recommended to refer the matter to the medical officers, either the president or chairman of the house committee to consider it and act if necessary.

From the ODH House Committee report, 25 April 1924 – After interviewing the President and Chairman of the House Committee re getting a nurse I wired to Nurse Pini but she could not come, so I wired to Miss Corrie’s Nurses Home and she sent Nurse Chadwick who started duty yesterday.

From the Finance Committee meeting 2 September 1924 – After consideration it as agreed to recommend that the salary of the matron be increased to £144 per year … This recommendation if adopted to come into operation as from 1st October 1924.

From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April, 1925. Admitted as a patient with pyelitis on 29 November 1924. 31 December 1924 discharged to Mrs Edward Morgan, Sydenham Street, Moonee Ponds.

From the ODH House Committee report, 19 December 1924 – The Secretary reported that the matron had not been well during the past two weeks, she is directing the affairs of the institution and her health is improving.

From the ODH House Committee report, 16 January 1925 – The Secretary reported that the matron’s health had not improved and Doctor Lawrence had ordered her to Melbourne to consult a specialist. He had interviewed the President and obtained the necessary permission for her to go to Melbourne and she left here on the 31st of last month accompanied by her father. She has to see him again during next week and she has applied for leave of absence on account of ill health. She hoped to return before next meeting of the Board.[6]

From the ODH House Committee report, 20 February 1925 – The Secretary reported that Matron had signified her intention of returning to duty on Saturday night 21st inst.

From the ODH House Committee report, 21 March 1925 – The Secretary reported that matron had returned to duty on the 21st of last month …

From the ODH House Committee report, 24 April 1925 – Minutes of a special meeting of the House Committee convened by the President to consider an application from the Matron for 6 months leave of absence which was recommended by Doctor R.W. Lawrence[7] on account of the Matron’s health. … After considering the application together with the medical certificate, it was agreed to recommend to the Board that it be granted.

At the ODH board meeting held on 25 April 1925, Agnes successfully applied for 6 months leave of absence on account of ill health.

From the ODH House Committee report, 22 May 1925 – The Secretary reported as follows: Matron Morgan left the institution on the 6th inst. on sick leave for 6 months granted at a special meeting held on the 24th of last month.

… and that Matron Morgan be paid her salary for May as she had been on duty part of the month.

From the ODH Board Minutes 25 August 1925: From Matron Morgan tendering her resignation as matron of this institution and returning her father’s cheque for £9 refunding salary paid to her for three weeks in May that she was not on duty. The resignation was accepted with regret and it was agreed to retain the sum of £9 returned by Miss Morgan ...

Agnes was matron at the ODH from 7 October 1918 – 6 May 1925

From an article in the Record, 24 Oct 1925, Agnes is back at the Homeopathic Hospital and is assistant matron to Matron Harwood.

People & Parties:

Melbourne Women in Honors List (Queen's birthday honors)

... SERVING THE SICK

A record of 25 years of service as matron of Prince Henry's Hospital stands to the credit of Miss Agnes Morgan who today is watching a great new modern edifice arise from the midst of the old building known as the Homoeopathic Hospital where she did her training.

Practically all Miss Morgan's years of service to the sick have been at Prince Henry's for, after a term as matron of Beechworth, she returned to her training hospital as assistant matron and was appointed matron in 1924.[8]

Miss Morgan who was born at Berwick has always taken a keen interest in the progress of nursing and is a past president of the Matrons' Association and is a member of the council of the Royal Victorian College of Nursing. ...

The Age, 9 June 1949. Article has a picture of Agnes but not of good quality.

Hospital Matron

Miss Agnes Morgan, who had been awarded an OBE, has been matron of Prince Henry's Hospital for the past 15 years.

A Victorian she trained at Prince Henry's when it was known as the Homoeopathic Hospital and was later matron of Beechworth Hospital. She returned to Prince Henry's as assistant matron and she became matron in 1934.

Miss Morgan is a member of the council of the Royal Victorian College of Nursing and is on the committee of Airdrie, the home of incapacitated nurses at Canterbury. She is a past president of the Hospital Matrons' Association.

The Argus, 9 June 1949.

Article also has a picture but once again is of poor quality.

1967 ER has returned to the family home, i.e., 7 Sydenham Street, Moonee Ponds to live with her sister Nellie and brother William.

The Australian Dictionary of Biography contains an entry relating to Agnes. 

[1] Esther Mary Longmore

[2] Possibly Elizabeth Jane Alderdice from Loch Street, Beechworth.

[3] Sterilizer finally purchased Dec/Jan 1922/23

[4] Special meeting held to discuss working conditions for nurses.

[5] The Chairperson Robert Cameron moved that 21 days be recommended according to the Rules.

[6] Granted leave of absence for 1 month.

[7] Robert Wreyford Lawrence.

[8] Should read 1925.

©  Anne Hanson 2023