VPRS 19366 Ladies' Aid Association Minute Books

This series records the minutes of the Prince Henry's Hospital Ladies' Aid Association.     The Melbourne Homoeopathic Ladies’ Aid Association was formed on 21 November 1890. Its aim was “to aid the hospital and to help the nursing staff in numerous ways”. It was modelled on an American Association and may have been Victoria’s first formal hospital auxiliary. A minute book is extant for the period 1902 - 1909 (VPRS 19323). At a special meeting in April 1934, the contributors of the Homoeopathic Hospital gave their consent to a change of name. Under the provision of section 54 of the Hospitals and Charities Act 1928 (No. 3699), the name of the institution was changed from Homoeopathic Hospital to Prince Henry's Hospital in November 1934. The Hospital was re-named after the late Prince Henry, HRH, Duke of Gloucester.   The dependence of hospitals on charitable support was great and Prince Henry's Hospital was heavily dependent on money received from voluntary sources. Much equipment throughout the Hospital was purchased from auxiliary funds, including the Ladies' Aid Association. The minutes reflect that activity. The Ladies' Aid Association minute books that constitute this record series are the only ones known to be extant for the Prince Henry's Hospital period.