Bush nurses celebrate a century of Victorian service
More than 200 bush nursing representatives from Victoria’s most remote and rural locations have been honoured by Minister for Health, Daniel Andrews, for their contribution to a century of bush nursing in Victoria.
Since the beginnings of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association (VBNA) in 1910 – initiated by the Governor General’s wife who noted the dire need for health care in rural communities – there have been almost 150 bush nursing centres and hospitals across Victoria which have continued to evolve over this time to reflect the changing needs of their communities.
While little has changed in the services bush nursing organisations provide since its start a century ago, the way it is done has changed significantly with the development of medicines, training and collaborative efforts with partnering care providers such as Ambulance Victoria and the Department of Health.
Successor to the VBNA is Aged & Community Care Victoria (ACCV) which represents more than 90% of the industry, including bush nursing organisations.
“We are very proud to be the industry body for bush nursing in Victoria,” said ACCV chief executive officer, Gerard Mansour.
“With foundations set firmly a century ago, these vibrant and robust services form a vital part of Victoria’s framework of small rural health services still today.
“Many of these services have now transformed into public hospitals, multi-purpose services or aged care facilities and today we acknowledge their significant contribution to the history and successful development of bush nursing throughout Victoria.”
Twenty-three Bush Nursing Centres and Hospitals in remote and rural Victoria now operate as non-profit, community-governed services to meet the health needs of community members.
