VPRS 16813 Secretary's Notebook

The book contains information compiled by the Secretary of the Royal Children's Hospital on a diverse range of hospital matters. It was likely commenced in the early 1900s, possibly 1908. However, much detail has been added to the book about many aspects of the hospital's operation dating back to 1870.The book includes information about such things as:AppointmentsResignationsPositionsIndividualsHospital historyFinancial mattersBed numbersBuildingsPropertyCosting (for maintenance, repairs, new work)Churches (by denomination)Departments (e.g. operating theatre, outpatients)Equipment-history (e.g. boiler, laundry, sterilisers)Estates bequeathed (by name), including sketches of land, histories, amountActs with which compliance required (e.g. Boiler's Inspection Act, Coroner)Honorary Medical Staff categories, appointments and rulesLegion of Honour Appeal 1901Life GovernorsResident Medical Officers (listed with dates of commencement and resignation)Seal of the hospitalTelephones (installed 1912).The Secretary reported to the hospital's committee of management. During the period covered by this series, the role has been described as evolving into one resembling that of the modern chief executive officer (The Royal Children's Hospital; A History of Faith, Science and Love, p 106).If the book was commenced around 1908 its first author would have been Robert Love (secretary 1905-1923). For the remaining period covered by the book the secretaries were Howard Barrett (1923-1954) and Dick Feint (1954-1970. Secretaries prior to Robert Love were A. Smith (1904) and John Jackson (1889-1904).The keeping of notes similar to those in this series for the period prior to 1908 and after 1955 is subject to further research.See also VPRS 16814 for the Secretary's Report Books.Prior to transfer to Public Record Office Victoria, the records in this series were maintained as part of the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Archives. They were part of RCH accession number 2010/007.