Help cement a legacy of care from the trained nurses

When Trina Jones met junior nurse Maxine Noone on night shift at Ballarat Base Hospital in 1969, little did they realise that over half a century later they would be planning the legacy of the esteemed Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League.  

Since its inception in 1928, the Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League (BBHTNL) has generously given back to the hospital, with donations to the Ballarat Health Services Foundation, the Jean Finlayson Scholarship, the Joanne Gilbert Scholarship, and the beloved BBH Trained Nurses League Samaritan Fund. 

However, as the centenary of the league approached, Miss Winsome Menadue, former Nursing Administrator, long-term member of the league and BHS Life Governor, decided to make a generous donation of $22,000 to the league. Miss Menadue, with the support of President Maria Stickland, Treasurer Trina Jones and Secretary Maxine Noone, decided that an in-perpetuity scholarship for Enrolled Nurses to train as Registered Nurses at Grampians Health Ballarat would cement the legacy of the league.  

The BBHNTL are now calling for donations to help grow their scholarship, providing financial support for generations of ambitious Enrolled Nurses wishing to train as Registered Nurses.  

Enrolled Nurses have completed a two-year Diploma of Nursing, and work under the supervision and delegation of a Registered Nurse, as such, they do not make independent clinical decisions about a patient’s care. Registered Nurses now complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree and then apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. They work independently and are responsible for clinical decisions, assessments, and escalations in care. This qualification replaced the Trained Nurse qualification which members of the BBHTNL completed. It was hospital-based training learned through practical experience and knowledge of their supervising nurses.  

“The majority of our members completed their three-year training here at the Ballarat Base Hospital, while living in the Nurse’s Home,” Ms Jones said. “This allowed them to become part of the trained nurses league. This hospital has been a very important part of our lives for a very long time, and our league has a long and proud history of giving back to the Hospital. 

“By supporting this scholarship, you will be helping the Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League to continue to remain an important part of the history of our local Ballarat Hospital.” 

President Maria Stickland said the motivation to create the scholarship following Ms Menadue’s generous donation was to provide continued support for nurses.  

“As the league approaches our 100th anniversary, we wanted to leave a legacy which is going to be providing ongoing support for nurses, in particular at Grampians Health.  

“The members of the League believe that the scholarship will contribute to two worthwhile goals. Firstly, to help address the challenge of maintaining an adequate registered nurse workforce for the delivery of health care to our community, and secondly, to significantly enhance the career pathway options for enrolled nurses, who have already demonstrated a commitment to nursing as a career.” 

Ms Noone said the scholarship would help Enrolled Nurses wanting to further pursue education by providing them some financial support. 

“We wanted to reduce the financial burden for Enrolled Nurses to increase their qualifications. We are aware that something as simple as being able to purchase a laptop can have a profound difference on their careers, and we would hope that the scholarship recipients have as long and rewarding nursing careers as we have had.” 

Leanne Shea, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, herself a trained nurse, explains the importance of scholarships to individuals and to Grampians Health.  

“Scholarships such as this one, where we can support our nurses to continue to develop their skills and their expertise, is very much welcome. It gives our ENs another opportunity to apply for and access to support them in their studies. 

“The real power in the cohort of nurses that want to move from Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse, once they finish this qualification, they can then do a graduate program and decide where they really want to work – it provides them with a grounding and a springboard to specialise in the work that inspires them. 

“The difference with the BBHTNL scholarship, compared to some other forms of support available, is the flexibility for the recipient to be able to use it in the best possible way to support them. They may need to use it for equipment or accommodation if they are on placement.” 

The scholarship will be managed in perpetuity by the Ballarat Health Services Foundation.  

“Ballarat Health Services Foundation’s purpose is to build a foundation for the future of health care in our community by supporting Grampians Health Ballarat,” said Sarah Masters, Ballarat Health Services Foundation council member.  

“The really important thing about this scholarship is that we are honoured to be custodians of this gift and legacy for future generations of nurses who will never meet these generous women. It is through their kindness that nurses of the future will benefit.” 

The total of the scholarship, and how to apply, will be announced at the 96th reunion of the BBHTNL on 1 November 2025.  

Tax-deductible donations can be made to: 

Westpac – Ballarat Health Services Foundation  

033605 – 142539  

Reference TNL