The fifth of eight children born to Rev. John Donnes and Agnes Millar at Benalla – 20 March 1876. Father born in Sydney about 1844 and mother born in Liverpool, England about 1848.

John Donnes, a Sabbath school teacher and local preacher, was the first Layman employed as a Home Missionary by the Wesleyan Conference, after its Society for Home Missions was formed; and eventually entered the Ministry of this Church in 1883.

Family in Yackandandah by February 1881 – See Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 23 July 1881.

YACKANDANDAH.

(from our own correspondent.)

Friday.

It is but little more than a week ago since the stewards of the Wesleyan congregation at Yackandandah expressed their appreciation of the zealous services of the Rev. Mr Donnes in his successful exertions in the cause of his church. When Mr Donnes came to Yackandandah, he found the church burdened with difficulties, and many of the congregation rapidly becoming careless as to whether it had an existence or otherwise, while in the outlying districts, from a religious point of view, matters were anything but a promising aspect.

With an amount of courage fully adequate to the demand, and the determination to do, Mr Donnes set to work, and in all weathers was to be found in some part or other of the immense district of 4000 square miles, over which he now ministers to no less than fifteen congregations, all of which are rapidly increasing, while each of these congregations has its Sunday-school, with an ample and efficient staff of teachers.

During the short time that Mr Donnes has been amongst us not only have the financial difficulties of the church literally melted away, but Yackandandah is raised to the position of an independent circuit, all of which is mainly attributable to his indefatigable exertions. Physically Mr Donnes is not a very strong man, but he is very tough— he must be weather-proof; but the principal factor towards his great success is that he is very much in earnest. It is highly gratifying, not only to the members and attendants of the Wesleyan Church, but also to those belonging to other denominations at Yackandandah, to learn that Mr Donnes, having passed all his examinations in November last, his admission to the ministry was ratified by the Conference a few days ago. … Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 20 January 1883.

John Donnes, aged forty, died after a long illness on 5 April 1884 at Yackandandah. Buried Yackandandah 7 April 1884.

The Rev. Mr. Donnes, of the Wesleyan Church, Yackandandah, died on Saturday afternoon after an illness of 10 months, which was brought on by excessive labor and exposure in the discharge of his duties. The funeral was most numerous attended, not only by the clergy and laity of the other denominations in the district, but also by several clergymen who came from Melbourne to be present at the interment of their esteemed fellow-laborer. Albury Banner and Wodonga Express ,11 April 1884.

Una Journal, 30 December 1907 lists Alice as having obtained her midwifery and gynaecology certificate from the Women's Hospital.

1908-1909 ER address is 340 Albert Street, (Winfield Nurses’ Home) East Melbourne.

From Una Journal, December 1910, April & July 1911, Alice's address is 340 Albert Street, East Melbourne.

Left London on the Orsova 22 December 1911 – arrived Fremantle 23 Jan 1912. Her brother Edgar Hattersley Donnes is on the same boat. 

R.M.S. ORSOVA.

A most harmonious voyage, in which continuous fine weather was an outstanding feature, was experienced by the fine "12,000 ton" Royal mail Orient liner Orsova, which arrived at Port Melbourne yesterday morning from Europe. The vessel brought over 900 passengers who judging by expressions let fall among them, derived considerable benefit from their sojourn. Beginning her trip at Tilbury on December 22, the liner had her full complement of passengers in all classes. Christmas day was spent in characteristic style, the festivities being concluded with a successful dance in the evening. Thereafter an unbroken series of sports and amusements served to relieve the tedium of the voyage. The usual intermediate ports were touched at by the Orsova, passengers being landed and others embarked at each stoppage. Captain H.G. Staunton, who is in command of the Orsova, has with him the following officers: B. W. J. Marshall, first officer, H. G. C. Adams, second officer, W. Cyril Weston, third officer; J Eric Wilson, surgeon, R. Ingram, parser, C. Grey, chief engineer: D. McWilliam, second engineer; T.H. Bradford, chief steward. Today the liner will continue her voyage to Sydney and Brisbane. The Argus, 30 January 1912.

January, February, March  and April 1912 editions of the Una Journal lists Alice address as 43 Churchill Avenue, Subiaco. This is the home of her brother Edgar and his wife, Effie.

From ODH House Committee report 13 May 1912 – Since last meeting Sister Donnes had commenced duty.

Employed at the ODH on a six month contract May 1912 - see Ovens & Murray Advertiser, 16 May 1912.

From the ODH House Committee report 12 August 1912 – Sister Donnes applied for an increase of salary to £60 a year. It was recommended to consider the request after Sister Donnes had completed 6 months service here.

From the ODH House Committee report 9 December 1912 – The Secretary reported that Sister Donnes had resigned her position and left the hospital.

NURSES HONOUR BOARD As a result of enquiries it has been ascertained that no less than twenty-five ladies who had been on the nursing staff of the Hamilton Hospital have gone on active service. It is a fine record for the local institution and the committee intend showing their appreciation of the patriotic spirit, exhibited. An honour board is to be presented to the hospital on which the names of the volunteers will be inscribed. They are as follows Matrons Donnes and Grower [Grewar] … Hamilton Spectator, 19 July 1917. 

CASTLEMAINE DISTRICT SOLDIERS

NURSE AND SEAMAN RETURN.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT RAILWAY STATION.

After fifteen months of service in war hospitals in India, Sister A. Donnes, daughter of Mrs Donnes, of Berkeley Street, and formerly matron of the Hamilton Hospital, returned to Castlemaine by the express train last night, and was accorded an enthusiastic public welcome. She was met at the railway station by cheering crowds, and on taking her seat in a motor car provided by Mr H. Harrison, to convey her to her home, the Foundry Band under the conductorship of Bandmaster Richards, played Home Sweet Home.

The Mayor (Cr. Freeman), on behalf of the citizens, extended to Sister Donnes a cordial welcome, and incidentally made reference to the fact that during the past 15 months she had been engaged nursing the sick and wounded Australian soldiers from Mesopotamia and Palestine. They realised, he said, the magnificent work that the nurses were doing for their brave lads. They had been doing their part just as well as the men and their work was just as necessary and as essential in the winning of the war. Those who had been to the front, and had been invalided home, knew what the nurse meant to them. In wars past the military forces had lost more men on account of sickness and unskilful nursing than in all the fighting. As a result of their work in the present war, thousands of lives had been saved Nurse Donnes had left a comparatively safe and easy position in Hospital at Hamilton to take up hard work at the front. (Loud applause.)

The band played She's a Jolly Good Lassie, and cheers having been given, Cr. Rowe responded on behalf of Sister Donnes, who was subsequently driven away midst the loud cheers of the citizens assembled. Castlemaine Mail, 17 September 1918.

Nurse Donnes having recently returned from war service, having spent fifteen months in India, was welcomed by the president, several officers and members of Footscray Branch AWA at Footscray Station as she passed through by the Adelaide Express. The members formed an arch welcome with flags, and Mrs ?? Chief President of the AWA extended a cordial welcome to Nurse Donnes who briefly responded and promised to visit the local branch at an early date. Weekly News Yarraville, 21 September 1918. The Australasian Women's Association (AWA) which was a Friendly Society formed in 1900 to provide social support and health benefits to Australian-born women. It was sponsored by the Australian Natives' Association (ANA) to address the growing need for social supports such as health care, unemployment benefits, and funeral benefits for working women and their families. 

RETURN OF HOSPITAL MATRON.

Sister Donnes, formerly matron of the Hamilton hospital, who has been on active service with the Australian troops will return to Hamilton by to-morrow evening's train, to resume her duties as matron at the local hospital. Hamilton Spectator, 22 October 1918.

Honor Panel for Nurse -Many members of the Australasian Women's Association served in a patriotic capacity during the war period, but only one enlisted as a military nurse. Out of nearly 3000 women Miss Alice Donne[s]; now matron at the Public Hospital, Hamilton, was the only one who joined up with the A.I.F. nurses. She is a member of the Footscray branch, and to commemorate her army service an honor panel been placed on the respect board, of the Association in the lodge room at the Royal Hall, Footscray. It is made of Australian blackwood, and bears the following Inscription: — "Our Gratitude— Sister Alice Donne[s], who served in the Great War, 1914-1918." The panel was unveiled by Mr J. Carrol, Junr., on Thursday evening [12 November]. Miss Donne[s] was presented with a basket of choice flowers by Miss A. C. Whitehead, chief president. Miss Costello, president of the Footscray branch, and a large number of members were present. The Herald, 16 November 1920.

 Personal. Nurse Donnes, who trained at the Ovens District Hospital and is now matron of the 'Hamilton Hospital (an institution about four times the size of the Beechworth Hospital, is at present spending holidays in Beechworth. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 20 October 1923.

HAMILTON … The hospital committee has increased the salary of Matron Donnes to £200 per annum during such time as she is called upon to undertake special duties of superintendence which it is expected will be placed on others when the hospital is registered as a base hospital. The Argus, 21 August 1925.

Alice during her time at the Hamilton Hospital and Benevolent Asylum became a great advocate for nurses, who when training in country hospitals, were compelled to do four years' training rather than three. See The Age, 24 May 1928. Less than a month later while at a Matron's Conference, she persuaded the Nurses' Board to reduce the four year training requirement for country trainees by six months. See The Age, 15 June 1928.

Hamilton.—Matron Donnes, of Hamilton Hospital, has been elected one of four women superintendents representing nurses’ training schools on the council of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association. The Sun-News Pictorial, 15 September 1928.

July 1929 Alice resigned as a  member of the Council of the Royal Victorian Branch of the Australian Nursing Federation.

HOSPITAL MATRON’S WORK, REQUEST FOR TESTIMONIAL

At its meeting last Tuesday, the committee of the Hamilton and District Hospital received from Matron Donnes a request for a testimonial. In supporting her request, she said she did not think that she would be remaining much longer. Good health was an asset and she did not want to lose hers. She had not been very pleased about the management of the matron. It had hurt her, because she had not deserved all the remarks in the paper. Her greatest crime had been that she had risen early and sate up late in the interests of the hospital.

It was on account of the efficiency of the hospital and its 100 per cent passes obtained by nurses the McKellar Hospital was first on the list of training schools) that she had been chosen as one of the four lady superintendents on the council of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association.

She was the first superintendent of a country hospital to be chosen for that position. She had had very moderate staff. She did not have all the domestic staff she was credited with, for that report included temporary staff. An assistant had not been replaced but she did not intend to do without her.

When one had been a long time in a place, one naturally looked on it as one’s own. If she left it would not be because she wanted to leave, but she could never be a mere machine. The council had told her that she was entitled to the testimonial which was equivalent to a matron’s certificate.

After the matron had left the room, the chairman, Mr. H. Learmonth, vice-president, said it seemed to him a fair thing that the committee should accede to her request. … Horsham Times, 20 August 1929. 

Alice's resignation date from the Hamilton Hospital and Benevolent Asylum remains uncertain. However, it is known that Sister Nicholls from Melbourne Hospital assumed the position in January 1930. 

Sadly,  page 14 of Alice's service record reveals that in February 1930 she was a patient at Mont Park Psychiatric Hospital. However, it seems that by 1931 she was living with her mother at 59 Lynden Street, Camberwell. 

November 1933 saw the passing of Alice's mother, Agnes Donnes, who died at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth and son-in-law, Isaac Grigg in Canterbury Street, St. Arnaud. Shortly after her death, Alice travelled to Perth to visit with relatives.

The 1936 electoral roll lists Alice as a nurse living at St. Arnaud with her sister Elizabeth. However by 1939 Alice has retired and is living at 70 Orrong Road, Elsternwick (possibly a boarding house). Then in 1946 she is at 11 Mercer Road, Malvern. It seems fairly obvious that despite a life time of working as a nurse she does not have the funds to purchase a permanent home.

DONNES-On August 21, at Elwood, Alice, daughter of the late Rev. John and Agnes Donnes, loved sister of Mary (Mrs McLaren), late matron, A.A.N.S. 1st AIF. The Age, 22 August 1959.

Cremated at Springvale, 24 August 1959.

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