Twilight Talks - A Brief, Selected History 'Herstory' of Nursing at Ballarat Base Hospital

About this event

This series is hosted by Dr Phil Roberts OAM.

The 'herstory' of nursing at Ballarat Base Hospital (BBH), now Grampians Health, reflects changing times in Victoria.

Speakers include Emeritus Professor Margaret Bennett AM, Sarah Birtles and Shirley Jones.

After looking at what is a nurse in 2026, they will briefly glance at the way in which nursing changed, quite dramatically, during the settlement of Ballarat, the influx of miners, and through the 19th 20th and 21st centuries.

As you see the development of the hospital, you see how ancestors recognized the importance of nursing, and midwifery, and ensured the BBH nurses were among the best, not only in Victoria, but also the world.

As they traverse this 'herstory' of nursing, you will hear how the BBH changed and adapted, and there will be some surprises perhaps. You will pause to glimpse at the development of midwifery, hear a firsthand experience of a country girl at the BBH during the early 70s and look at the role played by the BBH Trained Nurses League which, having run its course, will end at the Annual Reunion, November 2029 after 100 years.

As you will hear, no matter how the times change, so too does nursing, to ensure that nursing care is adapted to the times to provide the best care for the here and now.