In the wake of a damning report into the Sydney Infirmary and Dispensary (known as Sydney Hospital from 1881), NSW Colonial Secretary Henry Parkes made a request to British nursing legend Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) to help reform the lax system of patient care. Nightingale appointed Lucy Osburn (1836–91) to head a team of six nurses to travel to Sydney to reform nursing at the infirmary and to establish a school to train local women, who would then spread the system of “Nightingale nursing” throughout hospitals in the colony.
On 5 March 2018, Australia Post released a pre-stamped envelope to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Lucy Osburn in Sydney on 5 March 1868, who is recognised as the founder of modern nursing in Australia.
This article was produced at the time of publication and will not be updated.
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