A Short History of the Victorian School Nurses Association

Anecdotally, The Victorian School Nurses Association started a network group around 1981 and had various names over the years. It is reported that a Geelong Grammar School nurse invited other private school nurses to a dinner to discuss school nurse duties and work spaces, starting things off.

The Victorian School Nurses (VSN) grew from there with dinner meetings being held at different schools, mostly with private and independent schools and later the Department of Education nurses joining and rejoining.

The group has come a long way from receipt books and notes in an exercise book, to the use of social media platforms, developing their own website, “zoom” meetings during the pandemic Covid-19, and always having excellent professional speakers for professional education.

The VSN became a Special Interest Group of the Nurse’s union in 1987 and the inaugural AGM held in April 1988.

In 1990 the group were not able to re-elect a committee. The Nurse’s union assisted to send out expression of interest letters to members to continue and put on 2 seminars to increase interest. The group elected to continue as long as it was mostly about education, support and networking with each other.

From there the VSN has grown to a healthy association of 300 plus members at times. Conferences have been put on every two years and seminars often on the off year. Meetings moved to the union building with pre-meeting finger food provided and the association became incorporated in 2023.

There are many people who put in a wealth of work and commitment to the success of the group.

Therese Hume

Treasurer 2017 – 2023