Ellen Dougherty

Ellen Dougherty

b. Cutters Bay, Marlborough 20 Sept 1844                                       d. Carterton 3 Nov 1919

Moved with family to Wellington in 1849.

Worked in Charles Barraud’s pharmacy for a time, before commencing nursing training at Wellington Hospital in 1885.

Completed a certificate in nursing in 1887.

When the Matron, Elizabeth Hermansen became ill in 1888, Miss Augusta Godfrey was appointed to succeed her but she was away in England. Ellen was therefore acting Matron from 1888 until 1890 when Miss Godfrey returned.

She then became Matron at Palmerston North Hospital and also ran the hospital pharmacy. In 1899 she was formerly registered as a pharmacist.

She became the first nurse in New Zealand to be registered under the Nurses registration Act in 1902

Retired from Palmerston North Hospital in 1908