Mrs Bernard Moore

Mrs Bernard Moore

b. Fanny Maria Skeels in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England on 31 Jan 1841

                                                                                       d. Hamilton, Queensland 11 Jul 1921

Sailed on the SS Lady Jocelyn from London dep. 25 Sep 1880, arriving in Auckland Jan 1881.

From September 1881 she advertised courses of four lectures for women in Home Nursing of the Sick – cost 10s/course. Initially these were held in Auckland but later she would tour NZ giving similar courses. She held two certificates of Proficiency from St John of Jerusalem. (She elected to be known by her husband's name)

In December 1882 the Colonial Secretary offered her the position of matron at either Auckland or Wellington Hospital and she chose the latter.

Matron Wellington Hospital 1883

She established a course of training for nurse probationers. She provided lectures in the care of sick patients and these were supplemented by lectures from Dr Samuel Hammond, the Resident Surgeon. This was the first formal nurse training scheme in New Zealand.

At the end of the initial course, eight nurses passed an examination by Dr Hector and were granted certificates. They arranged for a illuminated address of appreciation to be presented to Mrs Moore.