A Proud History

 

Diamond Jubilee - Celebrating 75 Years

Association of Queensland Nursing & Midwifery Leaders

75 years

presentation by Judy March, 2025

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AQNML 75 Year Speech 2025 - Judy March (401kb)

AQNML 75 Year PowerPoint Slides  (2.9mb)

 

The Association of Queensland Nursing and Midwifery Leaders

A Time to Celebrate 75 Years

 Anniversary Conference

1 May 2025

 

Thank you to the Association of Queensland Nursing and Midwifery Leaders for the invite to talk to you today on the momentous occasion on the 75th anniversary of this organisation.

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I was given the honour and privilege of compiling the history of the 1st 60 years and I thank the current committee for asking me to speak today. In compiling the 60-year history, I had access to many pieces of information, and I mean many archive boxes of paperwork!! Thanks must go to the Association secretaries over those 60 years who through their work in the role, kept the history alive. Also, thanks must go to Mr Robert Longhurst who compiled the “Nursing Leadership in Queensland – 50 years of history”. (1950 -2000)

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I can be certain that the original group of matrons including Miss Sorenson, Brisbane General, Miss Moody, Women’s Hospital Brisbane, and Miss Keenan, General Hospital Bundaberg, would be shocked and amazed that the group they formed in October 1950 would be still representing the current nursing workforce in QLD 75 years later. As we are all aware, the provision of health services has evolved unbelievably over the past 75 years. When you compare the current executive group of nursing leaders and emerging nurse leaders, I am sure these Matrons would be so proud of the Association they formed at that meeting on the 28 October 1950. “Matrons felt the need of this association; many of them work at long distances & find they have problems which cannot be shared. Hospital Administration these days (1950) is very difficult, and problems cannot be solved by any one person.”

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Has anything changed in 75 years!! QLD DONs are still facing the tyranny of distance. Though technology has changed, which allows us to communicate more easily, this annual conference gives many the opportunity to meet in person and talk to the trades, who have generously supported the Association for many years.   For lots of us the COVID 19 pandemic forced us to become more computer literate via TEAM meetings etc.!!

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That group of Matrons who met in 1950 agreed to form the Matrons Association of QLD with the first conference held on the 23 April 1951 at Centaur House, Queen Street Brisbane. The Annual Subscription for membership would be 10/6d ($1.05).   This conference was attended by 56 Matrons from across the state.

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The Minister for Health and Home Affairs asked the conference attendees to suggest to his department ideas for improving health services in their hospitals.

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It was noted over the years, the Association found that co‐ordinating and continuing the association was difficult in Australia’s most decentralised state. The Associations’ presidents within the first ten years were based in Bundaberg, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Maryborough and Warwick. With Secretaries and Treasurers similarly dispersed. It is the commitment of these people and members which has enabled the association to continue for its’ 75 years. Congratulations must go to all nurses who have been members of the executive committees over these 75 years.

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Issues raised at this first conference included: -

• Elimination of five-year training hospitals

• Selection of one sister from each regional hospital, for further education as a tutor sister through the College of Nursing in Melbourne

• Specialised training school in regional hospitals in QLD

• The appointment of a Nurse Advisor to the Department of Health and Home Affairs to advise on matters such as recruitment and standard of living quarters for nurses.

• The establishment of an Auxiliary Service to be known as hospital aids. These members should be given 12 months training of an essentially practical nature and wear an entirely different uniform to that of a nurse.

• It was moved that the Matron of hospitals of 100 beds and under be paid 10 Guineas per week (about $21) exclusive of board and lodgings

• Trained nurses to be paid 5 shillings (50c) per week for each certificate held with annual increments over three years instead of five years.

 

One motion that failed at the conference was in relation to penalty rates.  Concern was expressed by most Matrons concerning the anomalies existing in the award that nursing sisters and domestic staff were receiving a larger salary than the matron who worked an unlimited number of hours and who had responsibility for the hospital.

For DONs – particularly Rural and Remote has that workload changed in 75 years!!!

 

When researching the original 60-year history and reading the many, many documents available, it became clear to me that very few of the recommendations arising from the Matrons Association were readily approved by the Department. Very courteous letters of response were received from the Health Ministers of the time with a “not approved” response.

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One of the recommendations from the 1951 conference was in relation to the appointment of a Nurse Advisor to the Department and in 1953 Miss Doris Bardsley was selected as Queensland's first Advisor in Nursing.

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What an achievement for this group.  That Nurse Advisor position over time has had a rocky road in the Queensland Department of Health. However, as QLD nurses we can proudly say we are represented within the Department and Government. There have been many Chief Nurses over the past years including Sue Norrie and Pauline Ross. Our sincere thanks must go to our current Chief Nurse Shelley Nowlan and newly appointed Chief Midwifery Officer Liz Wilkes, who have placed nursing and midwifery in Queensland in a position to be represented at both strategic and policy level within the Government.

 

The Conference in 1951 also included visits to the Mater Hospital and Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital. For many country Matrons this was a rare opportunity to visit the “big smoke”, do a little retail therapy and dress for the occasion.

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HAS ANYTHING CHANGED IN 75 YEARS!!! We still enjoy the visit to Brisbane and those very memorable Conference Dinners. What happens at the dinner stays at the dinner!!!!

 

At the second conference in May 1952 the President Miss S Keenan reported that the State Cabinet had approved special payment for Matron’s of Hospitals without any clerical assistance. There had however been little movement on any of the other recommendations of the previous year’s conference.

 

In 1952 there was a “tirade of complaints from the Matrons”. The Hanlon Government had given its full support to the formation of the Matron’s Association presumably assuming that “Matrons would prove to be a conservative body. Less demanding than an overt industrial organisation like the Australian Trained Nurses Association (ATNA).

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The Department also used the Association as a working tool – in its’ first year’s members were expected to assist in the compilation of the nursing and midwifery curriculum.

 

The new curriculum approved by the Matron’s Association in 1961 was criticised as “static, restricting, unbalanced and obsolete.”  However, the curriculum was gazetted by the Government in December 1962.

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In 1955 the Matrons Association recommended the appointment of Male Orderlies – “Selected and controlled by the Matron & that training be given to these men”. The 1956 Conference saw the first mention of the possible training of Male Nurses. This was moved by Miss E Rosin of Gympie Hospital and Seconded by Miss Allen of Oakey Hospital. Male orderlies were eventually introduced into the care team. The introduction of male nurses took much longer to implement.

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In 1956 one of the recommendations from the Conference was “that the Minister arrange for some type of machinery to be attached to our laundries to wash soiled linen and so relieve our nurses from this work.”  The Departments response to this request that heavy rubber gloves and overalls be supplied to each hospital for the nurses!!!!  Ten years later in 1966 I was one of those nurses who washed that soiled linen before it went to the laundry. The wheels of Government turn slowly.!!!!  This recommendation was resubmitted over following years and took many years to be implemented – in some hospitals as late as 1971.

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Concern was also raised by the Matrons as to the expectation of nurses operating X‐Ray machines, with little training and very little in the way of protection from exposure to harmful rays. In 1957 the Association was assured that - “In those Hospitals where the x‐ray machine was operated by the Matron and some members of the nursing staff, the machine can be safely operated by any unskilled personnel”. The Department’s impression is “that there are not any special skills in taking x‐ray pictures, but skill is required in interpreting the pictures. Doctors!!!

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Thank goodness things have changed in 75 years!!!!!

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By the mid to late 50’s there was serious discussion in Australian nursing circles of Tertiary Education for Nurses. This idea was dismissed by the Queensland Government as being impractical given the “particular requirements” of the state. In 1958 the Matrons Conference was told by the newly elected Minister for Health – Dr. HW Noble “that the real nurse should have a mothering instinct. After all nursing in its real sense is mothering. Often the nurses of to‐day were too over trained and were too interested in the fluid balance chart of the patient than their comfort”.

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The Minister for Health in 1962 – Mr Gordon Chalk – once again stressed Queensland’s special situation regarding nursing training. “It has come to my knowledge that in some other countries there are highly qualified nurses who do not go near patients. Such an arrangement would be contrary to the outlook and requirements of the State”.

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The 60’s were to be difficult years in the history of QLD public hospitals. High unemployment rates, improvement in secondary education, rapid expansion of tertiary education, all threatened a system of nurse education based upon minimal education qualifications – Grade 8. What little change there was, to the trainees and qualified nurses in QLD, owed a great deal to the annual recommendations from the Matrons Conference. These “wish lists” were aptly described by Health Minister Douglas Tooth in 1969 as “the blue print of what the senior field workers consider desirable”.

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Some of the recommendations of Conferences of the 60’s which were approved by the Health Department included –

• That pre washing of foul linen is not the duty of the nurse.

• Training Hospitals should supply text books free of charge to the student nurse.

• The Department supply pre‐shrunk ticking covers for rubber mattresses.

• The insertion of the patient date of birth instead of age in official records.​

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One very long and ongoing issue surrounded the categorising of “non‐nursing duties”. At the 1965 conference a list of duties was drawn up.

• All clearing away and washing up of dishes, to include early a.m. tea things, all meal things, jugs and glasses, including polishing all cutlery and silver-wear

• Cleaning of patient’s lockers, except on the discharge of a patient when the locker is cleaned, washed and carbolized by a nurse

• Cleaning baths, toilets, hand bowls, hoppers, sinks, dayroom cupboards, Sisters’ desks, stations or offices, the dusting of ledges etc.

• All sweeping and mopping (except in emergencies where a nurse may spill something on the floor). Including special departments e.g. Dispensary, OPD and X-Ray etc

• Putting away clean linen – introduce an imprest system

• Inventory of (1) Linen (2) cutlery (3) crockery

• Preparation for meals, e.g. Cutting and buttering the bread and making salads

• Setting of meal trays (N.B. Nurses to supervise and assist in the giving of a patient’s meal)

• Cooking meals for night staff at (a) Brisbane Hospital (b) Princess Alexandra Hospital (c) Townsville Hospital (d) Toowoomba Hospital (e) Rockhampton Hospital, and have a meal freshly prepared and served by a member of the domestic staff during the night

• Any ironing of hospital linen

• Arranging flowers and attention to vases​

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No action what so ever was undertaken by the Department on these recommendations – submitted again in 1966 and 1967. As late as 1972 no further advice had been received. Ultimately this recommendation was dismissed as “being the responsibility of individual Hospital Boards”.

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Non‐nursing duties – the list may have changed however we are still discussing the issue 60 years on.

Perhaps one of the most successful recommendations to come from the Matron’s Association conferences in the 1960’s was for the replacement of the State Stores issue crepe toilet paper, the bane of many a nurse’s existence for many years. Few issues ever took up so much time at conferences as did to issue of loo paper.

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Other Conference recommendations to the Minister included:

• Plastic medicine glasses were proving unsatisfactory

• The training curriculum introduced in Dec. 1962 be reviewed

• That all or portion of Student Nurse Lectures be given in the employers’ time.

 

Yes, as a student commencing in 1966, even after a night duty shift, we had to attend lectures in our own time!!!!

• That all Hospital secretaries be required to supply the Matron with a copy of the current Nurses Award, Hospital Acts and Regulations.

• A pool of trained nurses for QLD is established.

 

Re the pool of trained nurses for QLD – it took until early 2000 to achieve this objective – more than 33 years.

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How times have changed – in 1967 – thanks were given at the conference to commercial sponsors – WD&HO Wills for the cigarettes supplied to the Matrons and to Nescafe for the coffee for the Matron’s use!!!!  Thus, began to the involvement of companies in sponsoring the Conference. In 1968 the Milton Company provided the first “Conference Brief Cases”.

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I must say that the thanks and appreciation of the current Association goes to the Companies who provide the trade displays year upon year for the past 58 years. Your involvement and support of nursing in Queensland is greatly appreciated.

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1969 saw “thinly disguised signs of frustration” amongst Matrons with the Health Department’s continuing lack of concern for future planning – apart from band aid measures – the unsuccessful regional training scheme and the training of Nurse Aids.

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The Matrons Association Secretary – Miss Lewis ‐ Toowoomba General Hospital, on behalf of members wrote to the Department to advise the QLD Matrons concern “as to the Departmental Policy concerning the future of nursing services and nurse training in QLD public hospitals”.

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At that year’s conference the Under‐secretary – Dept. Of Health, addressed the gathering and stressed the need for team work on Hospital administration.

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In the early 70’s conference recommendations moved from toilet paper, sputum mugs and garbage bags, to a focus on the future of the nursing profession in QLD.

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The 1970 Conference recommended-

• The closure of Nursing Training Schools with a daily average of less than 30 students

• Minimum entry to nursing be 17 years of age

 

The 1971 conference recommended-

• An increase in Nursing Staff at all levels to enable the provision of adequate nursing services.

• The staff establishment of Tutor Sisters is increased to reduce their workload.

• Preliminary nursing course students are super nummary in all training schools.

 

1971 also saw a landmark recommendation that-

A committee is set up to consider the desirability of establishing college or other tertiary type education for basic nursing training and make recommendations regarding this.

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This was rejected by Mr Tooth – “Officers of the Department have been for some time enquiring into this matter. At this stage it is too early to indicate any positive results of these deliberations – but you will be kept informed of any developments.”

The release of the “Saint Report” (Commissioned by the RANF) which showed the dire state and questionable future of nurse education in QLD, vindicated the Matron’s concerns.

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The 1973 Conference made formal recommendations for the upgrading of nursing education in QLD. Matrons were aware of the impact of any change, and they called for constructive and sound planning to ensure continuing patient care and adequate staffing.

During the 70’s the Matrons continued to convince the Minister and the Department of the need for new equipment and clinical supplies including the replacement of woollen with cotton blankets, disposable theatre caps – though disposable face masks were not approved.

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1974 saw an innovation of “Male Matrons” for the first time. Matrons were no longer Matrons – the 1974 Nursing Award now designates them as Nursing Superintendents. The Association changed its name to The QLD Nursing Superintendents Association at the 1975 Conference.

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1975 saw the 25-year anniversary celebrations of the Association. The President Miss E. Welsh (Redcliffe Hospital) stated some of the greatest achievements were-

• The creation of the Division of Nursing in the Department

• The appointment of an Advisor in Nursing.

• Elimination of 5-year training schools

• Training for male nurses

• Introduction of Nurse Aide training

• Lectures given in Hospital time.

 

At the 1975 Conference due to changes to the Nursing Award the Associations name was again changed to the QLD Nursing Superintends Association.

 

The late 70’s saw changes and progress for nursing in QLD

• 1975 – Supply of audio‐visual equipment for education – approved

• 1976 – Employment of Ward Receptionists – approved

• 1977 -- Supply of variable height beds. – approved

• 1978 -- Revision of nursing staff establishments to be based on patient / nurse dependency.

 

An application for a Federal Government grant was submitted by the Department for a research project into Patient Nurse Dependency in Public Hospitals.

 

In 1979 the Association agreed to allow delegates from the Private Sector to attend as observers.

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1979 also saw a move from the traditional Health Department and Medical Officer addresses to conference delegates, to QLD and Interstate and other Nurses addressing the Conference.

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No other event symbolized the changing times for nursing than was the demotion of Miss Elizabeth Anne Abell – Nursing Superintendent Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1979. Following court proceedings, media attention and public outcry Miss Abell was reinstated. Two years later she was appointed as the first Director of the Division of Nursing – QLD Department of Health.

THE POWER OF THE PROFESSION AND THE COMMUNITY WAS RECOGNISED!!!

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The 80’s proved to be a decade of rapid change in both technical and clinical aspects of nursing practice. The move of education qualifications of nurses from Grade 8 education to entrants competent in maths and science was a revolution in nursing. Nursing Superintendents were at the forefront of change – bearing the responsibility of planning for the future and now accepting unprecedented responsibilities for financial management of nursing resources and services.

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In 1981 a recommendation was submitted that- All RN and EN staff be allowed 80 hours each year for orientation and in‐service. The reply from Brian Austin- Health Minister stated, “I consider that nursing professionals have a personal responsibility in regard to keeping up to date as indeed have other professionals.” Not Approved

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Other recommendations from this 1981 conference received remarkably positive responses.

• That retrieval teams from Metropolitan Hospitals attend emergency situations in country areas through the State (State Committee formed to consider)

• Concern expressed over the nursing care of the mentally ill and the accommodation available to them. (Approaches to the Department for funding be via submissions through Hospital Boards)

• 80 hours orientation is available for Nursing Superintendents appointed to country hospitals and outpatients’ centres before taking up their positions. (Accepted that this is desirable)

• Where a Nursing Superintendent believes there is a need for a staff member to attend in‐ service in a particular speciality which is not available at a Regional Base Hospital, provision be made for the staff member to attend in‐service at a hospital or health agency where such speciality is available. (I wish to advise that in special circumstances, approval is given for staff members.

• Recommendation that the Division of Health Education be developed as a resource centre for nurse education material. (I wish to advise that agreement was reached that the Division should take advantage of the expertise from the Board of Nursing Studies.)

• SARAS currently available to Public Servants and certain Hospital personnel should be extended to full time nursing staff in Public Hospitals. (You would be aware that Hospital Boards have been acquainted with the decision to extend SARAS to Nurses.)

 

At the 1982 Conference Health Minister Brian Austin stated “Nursing Superintendents be involved in the management and budgeting arrangements of the Hospitals. This was perceived as being a necessary adjunct to the role of the Nursing Superintendent as part of the tripartite management team of the Hospital.

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1983 saw a move to a “professional nursing conference”. For the first time the conference was held outside of a hospital – at the Bardon Professional Centre. This offered more scope for trade displays of supplies and equipment, welcomed particularly by the Regional and Rural Hospital attendees.  

        

1983 Conference resolution urged the State Government to “introduce legislation to ban public advertising of cigarettes and consider banning the sale of 'cigarette look alike confectionary'". REJECTED

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In 1987 the conference moved to the Gateway Hotel North Quay – mainly due to the lack of accommodation at the Bardon Centre. In 1990 the Conference was held in Cairns.

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The future direction of the profession tended to dominate the conference through these years. An impasse had developed between the Federal and State Governments regarding the formal transition to tertiary nurse education in QLD.

Repeated calls for “On call Allowance” for Nursing Superintendents was again rejected.

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1987 saw the impact of the AIDS Epidemic become a nursing concern. Recommendations were made

• Hospices be established for terminal AIDS sufferers, staffed by qualified nurses

• The policy for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by nursing staff be reviewed and that standard and sufficient masks be provided to hospitals

• Human relationship courses are compulsory in all schools, these courses to include sex education, STD’s and AIDS and be conducted by suitably qualified professionals.

• Condoms made readily available to assist in the prevention and spread of AIDS

• Approval for selective screening for AIDS

• That the public education campaign to raise awareness of AIDS be continued.

 

A further resolution from the 1988 conference “urged that nursing staff be informed of the HIV Status of patients in their care”.

1989 – A clerical allowance for Nursing Superintendents without clerical support was approved.

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After many years of discussion and recommendations, the establishment of the first post basic nursing course was a major victory for the work of the Association –

• Diploma Applied Science (Nursing) at QUT in 1982

• A second course was established at James Cook University in Townsville, with the support of the Premier Joh Bjelke Peterson

 

Continuing concern was still held for the transfer of all nurse education to the Tertiary sector. It was not until 1988 that a decision was finally made by the Ahearn Government to progressively phase out hospital training. The Conference expressed its’ enthusiasm and commitment to the move.

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With a change to the QLD Nurses Award in the 1990’s, saw the Association’s name change to the Directors of Nursing Association (DONA). One of the main achievements of the Association over the past years was the formation of the Director of Nursing position within the Health Department.

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It was no wonder that the DON’s took a decidedly hostile position when full scale reorganisation of the State’s Health Service into Health Regions was unveiled. The proposal included abolishing the Chief Nurse Position in the Department and the apparent downgrading of professional representation within Policy and Planning in the Department.

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DONA Executive was given an opportunity in April 1990 to discuss the Green Paper on organisational arrangements for QLD public health services. Concern was expressed that with the proposed structure. Direct contact that DON’s have had with the Chief Nursing Officer and Assistant CNO for matters of advice had been removed.

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In December 1990 the Executive formally approached the Minister for Health (Mr KV McGellgiott) to express their concern that the position of Chief Nursing Officer was not included in the proposed restructure. Executive then requested all DON’s give their active support in lobbying against this move – expressing grave concern for the future of nursing. A direct appeal was also made to the Premier – Mr Wayne Goss. The QNU also joined the fray. There was growing perception that “anyone could manage nurses and nursing service delivery”.

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By the April 1991 conference – this issue was high on the agenda and tempers were frayed due to the lack of political and bureaucratic response to DONA’s concerns. Dr Peter Stanley spoke on regionalisation. The Chief Nurse was scheduled to speak on the following day – however this did not happen as the position had been arbitrarily sacrificed as part of the Governments new health structure. That same day the conference issued a press release giving the “Minister for Health and Under Secretary 24 hours to address the recent decision to abolish the senior nursing position”. In his refusal to attend the meeting the Minister Mr McGelligott not only expressed his indignation at the DON’s actions, but he also reminded the DON’s that, “They were public sector workers and were subject to the code of conduct that limited public comment on departmental issues.” There were hints of disciplinary action and insistence upon further support from the DON’s. The DON’s response was unprecedented. They issued another press release, expressing concerns “As the result of the abolition of the State’s CNO position, the Government plan for restructuring of the administration of nursing services, no nursing representation on the QLD Health Council and lack of consultation with credible nurses on this issue.” The 150 delegates then caught Taxis into the city and proceeded to march down George Street towards Parliament House. DON’s carried signs, some of which read – Please Wayne no pain – Patient Care in Jeopardy – Matrons’ jobs at risk. This was a radical step for an organisation better known for its conservatism. The march was reported widely on television news. However, the Courier Mail reported the march as a one sentence paragraph on page 4 on the following day, “Nurse Protest–More than 150 QLD nurses marched on Parliament House in George Street yesterday to protest against changes to senior nursing positions” INTERESTING!! Five days after the march on Parliament the Health Minister attended a meeting of the Nursing Consultative Committee. The committee membership included the QNU, and the meeting was attended by Joan Mackie- President of DONA and was chaired by Val Coughlin‐West (former president of DONA). The Minister advised the meeting of his intention to review the operation of the consultative committee to “make it a more effective forum – with the aim of upgrading its status – given the restructuring of the Department and the loss of the Chief Nursing Officer.

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At the 1992 conference the DONs again criticized the loss of the Chief Nursing Officer – declaring that neither the new Nurse Manager QLD Health nor the Nursing Consultative Committee gave the profession the recognition it had enjoyed between 1981 and 1990.

The 90’s was a decade of rapid change in the nation both socially, politically and in economic development. There were also issues of generational change, as younger, more highly educated and better paid nurses, both men and women were entering the administrative ranks of the nursing profession. Dominating the issues for health were the realities of an aging population, changing technologies, growing public expectation of health care delivery and close media scrutiny of health care delivery and of course budget management in an era of escalating costs.

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The events of 1991 focussed a light on the role of the annual conference and the association. It had long since lost its role as a forum for recommendations to the Department of Health. It now received no direct Government funding. There was felt a need to form an Incorporated Association. In April 1993 formal approval was sought for the incorporation of DONA. In May 1993, as an incorporated body the Association elected a new Executive, President Dianna Kenrick, Vice President Joan Mackie, Secretary Vera Nord and Treasurer Maree Rankin. The Association received its official certification on 25/6/1993.

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The AIMS were to provide an opportunity for QLD DONs to discuss Nursing and health issues in relation to:

• Clinical Practice

• Education and Staff Development

• Management

• Research

 

The 1994 conference was held in Townsville with the utilisation of a professional conference organiser. The Organisation’s independent status saw media releases relating to staffing issues in regional hospitals, and perceived threats to the status of some rural DON’s. The next day the Courier Mail reported on the conference and concerns expressed by the delegates regarding staffing shortages. It is perceived that media articles influenced the Minister’s decision to hold bi‐monthly meetings with the Associations Management Committee.

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DONA was now represented on

• QNC

• QLD Case Mix Consultation Committee

• Health Workforce Planning Committee

• Nurse Labour Force Reference Group

• The Association was also involved in the final stages of the QLD Nursing Career Structure.

 

Under the leadership of Dianna Kenrick and Joan Mackie the Association continued to lobby for the re‐establishment of a Division of Nursing within QLD Health. The Appointment of Sue Norrie as Principal Nurse Advisor in 1996 was therefore regarded somewhat as a victory for the Association.

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DONA continued to expand in the late 90’s. Planning days were held twice a year, and a regular newsletter was commenced. Project teams were established covering special interests, mentoring, conference team and for the development of position statements on key policy issues. The scope of the Association also changed with the acceptance of Assistance Directors of Nursing (ADON) membership in 1998 and in 1999 the invitation to DON’s in the Private Sector to become members.

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By 1999 the Associations Mission Statement was -
“To influence professional and policy direction for health services in QLD.”

The objectives were to

• Provide professional development activities for DON’s

• Provide a forum to influence health care policy

• Develop a definitive and cohesive approach on health and nursing

• Enhance the professional status of nursing

• Provide leadership to the profession in pursuit of excellence in health care, in a dynamic and complex environment.

 

2000 saw DONA Celebrate 50 years of continuous representation for Directors of Nursing and nurses in Queensland. This was a unique milestone for nursing in Australia. This milestone saw the publication of a History of Nursing Leadership in Queensland (1950 -2000). Great work by Robert Longhurst in documenting and cataloguing this history. That last decade had again seen the Association move with the change, in the nursing profession and health service delivery in QLD.

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The changed career structure in QLD Health included management and leadership roles for NUM’s, CNC’s, Educators as well as Nursing Directors, Assistant Directors of Nursing and Directors of Nursing. The Association became increasingly aware of the need to support these nurses to continue to be seen as relevant in the management of Health Services in QLD. It was recognised that the Association with its 50 years of history had a role to play in the development and support of our future nurse leaders.

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In 2002 the President Ms Irene Lake (Mater Public Brisbane) stated in her report that- “During the past year the committee continued to address the objectives of the association, with a reasonable degree of success, while at the same time determining the position the association needs to consider, to ensure we are viewed as a significant stakeholder and contributor to the future direction of health care in QLD. Over the past 52 years the Association has strengthened and embarked on new directions, however, the committee believes the Association has reached a plateau”. If we are serious about the continued growth of the Association, and our place of influence in the future direction of health care, the Committee believes considerable debate needs to occur”, Ms. Lake said.

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In 2002 the membership of the Association had dropped to below 100 and this rang alarm bells for the future of the Association. A motion put to the AGM which was supported read- “A review of the purpose, objectives, and model rules of the Association is undertaken in consultation with the membership, to reflect a contemporary nursing professional Association that is positioned for the future.” Despite the declining membership, the President noted, the Association had representatives on several committees including

• The Ministerial Taskforce Implementation Group for Nursing Recruitment and Retention

• The Advisory Committee for the Queensland Centre for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery

• Two representatives on the Rural Health Advisory Council

• Queensland Nursing Council Committee progressing ‘on line’ access to the nursing register

• A representative attended a meeting with the QNC to discuss the National Competition Policy

• Two DONA committee members were engaged in the process of examining the employment of student nurses.

 

This was also the year that the DONA Executive recognised the need to support future nurse leaders. A reduced conference registration cost was made available to Level 3 Nurses and conference day registration was also offered.

 

The September 2003 AGM was the watershed for change to an Association which was now 53 years old. A discussion paper had been circulated to members prior to the AGM in relation to a proposed change of direction for the Association. Issues raised by members included –

• What is the future of DONA – it is not viewed as a peak nursing organisation

• Need to have an organisation which expands into the private sector.

• As an organisation with public private membership – can only lobby the Health Minister – cannot make representation to QLD Health.

• Maybe need to open to all levels of nursing

• Link to ACHSE or RCNA

• DONA needs to be more active – many members believe the only benefit is the yearly conference.

 

The AGM attendees agreed that to remain a voice for nursing in QLD, the association needed to expand its membership and change some of the Aims of the Association.

 

Much discussion surrounded the name change to recognise the changing roles of the Association that was to focus on nursing leadership, rather than focussing on DON membership. Membership was extended to include Nursing Officer Level 3 (or equivalent) and above.

 

The annual conference was rotated between Brisbane and Cairns and Townsville. With the aim to enable rural and remote DONs to attend. Following discussion with these attendees, it was evident that it was more convenient for conference attendees to attend in Brisbane. Many had to fly to Brisbane to then enable them to travel to Cairns or Townsville.  Also, the Trade Reps indicated it was becoming too expensive to move the Clinical equipment north – when all had head offices in Brisbane or Gold Coast. Ultimately the name of the Association was changed to Association of QLD Nurse Leaders (AQNL) and indicated a new direction for the Association. The executive committee also made the decision to hold the annual conference in Brisbane.

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2003 was another milestone in the history of the Association – the election of a male nurse Ross MacDonald (Nambour Hospital) as the president and Graham Wilkinson (Ipswich Hospital) as the vice President. Paul Kachel (Gold Coast Hospital) had been the Treasurer in 1999.

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Writing this paper, has bought up many memories of my time as member of the executive committee.

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In 2002 the decision was made to engage a conference organiser to support AQNL in conducting the annual conference. My ESO at the time, Wendy Friend, and I went through the phone book and suggested we contact a company called Events R Us. Martin Bishop worked for this company. In 2005 Martin established his own company, CRE8IT Events. The Association has continued to grow and evolve and with Martins support, AQNL launched the website, developed the membership data base, on line membership and conference registration. These initiatives have all contributed to the growth and professionalism of the Association. The instigation of regional events was also well received by membership. Our thanks must go to Martin, Kate and the team for their support with the conference and taking on the secretariate role, over the past 23 years.

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In 2007 the Health Minister announced that AQNL had been given a grant to develop a framework for effectively supporting and growing the future nurse leaders in QLD. This was an opportunity to continue to promote and evolve the Association as a responsible voice for nursing leadership in QLD. The Mentoring Framework and Toolkit for Aspiring Nurse Leaders was launched at the Associations 2008 Annual Conference.

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The Association also launched

• Associate Membership for Registered Nurses with an interest in Nursing Leadership.

• The AQNL Annual Conference Best Paper Award

• The AQNL Emerging Nurse Leader Award

 

With the changed focus of the Association, the membership had grown to over 200 by June 2008, demonstrating the significance of the Association with members coming from a diverse range of professionals across the public, private and tertiary sectors.

In 2008 the Association also launched the Outstanding Achievement in Nursing Award. The award recognises outstanding contribution and leadership by an individual or group of individuals in Queensland. I was proud and humbled to be the first recipient of this award. Thank you AQNML for this recognition. Aspiring Nurse Leaders Award was also launched at the Associations 2008 Annual Conference. This award was later named after Colleen Rasmussen. Colleen was the DON Dalby Hospital, an enthusiastic member of AQNL, a mentor to many, who we lost far to early.

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In her welcome address in 2016 the then President Nicola Young, noted “as they say, there is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs. As Nursing and Midwifery leaders, we are not only used to taking the stairs, but we also want to. This attitude of “taking the stairs” is probably our professions greatest strength because we have the drive, endurance and resilience to find solutions to problems, rather than waiting for answers to be handed to us”.

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The issue of another name change was first communicated to members in the Autumn 2017 Edition of AQNL Snapshot. Included was a survey, asking a question with regards to the proposed inclusion of the profession Midwifery within the Association and the recognition of such with the name change to the Association of Queensland Nursing and Midwifery Leaders (AQNML). With the change of name of the organisation came changes to the “Model Rules – Association of Queensland Nursing and Midwifery Inc.” November 2017.

At the AQNL AGM held on Thursday 2 November 2017, the membership voted to change the name of the Association to the Association of Queensland Nursing and Midwifery Leaders.

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The world was paralysed by the COVID pandemic in 2020. That did not preclude AQNML from celebrating the 70th Anniversary of this organisation which was also the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.  From 5pm on Wednesday 11 November “A virtual evening with us-2020 style” was held. The AGM was followed by AQNML Award Presentation and Guest speakers. Members linked in via Teams and watched President Wendy Fennah and Vice President Melinda Daniels deliver the address.  The AQNML TOR for the Executive Committee was also updated in September 2020.

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The organisation is now celebrating its 75th birthday. What an achievement for nurses in QLD.

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I don’t think anyone in 1950 would have any conception of what health care would be like today. Through research, the development of antibiotics, amazing progress in medical treatments, from a week to ten days in hospital post appendicectomy to robot surgery today. During my time – cataract surgery, where the patient came back to the ward – head between sandbags, not able to move, to today day surgery – cup of tea and a sandwich and home.  Ten days in hospital post delivery of the baby to now home births or same day discharge. The care now provided in the community sector. The change in the care of those with Mental Health issues – from institutionalisation to where possible community care. We as the nurses and midwives have been front and centre to this change. I am so proud of this profession and the role we continue to play in delivering this care to our communities.

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From humble beginnings in 1950 with Miss S Keenan as President and a membership with a vision for an Association to support Matrons across this vast State, to to‐days Association and the professional association it is, is a credit to all nurses who have been members over the 75 years.

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CONGRATULATIONS to ALL OF US.  

Happy 75th Birthday AQNML