VPRS 16428 Infant Welfare Nurses / Maternal and Child Health Nurses Register

The Statewide Maternal and Child Health Service was founded as the Infant Welfare Service in 1926, following a Royal Commission into the welfare of women and children in Victoria in 1925. In 1926 the State Government commenced funding the MCHS, with equivalent funding by Local Governments. Registration details were recorded for Infant Welfare Nurses, numbered 1A to 4134, covering the period 1928-1979. Registration details were recorded for Maternal and Child Health Nurses, numbered 4135-5151, covering the period 1979-1994. The Nurses Boards may have been responsible for maintaining the register but this is subject to further research.