Members of our Association were saddened to hear news of the death of Miss Norma West OBE on 4th July 2018. Norma was a towering figure in the story of nursing and hospital administration in Central Queensland. Over a 50-year period as a nurse, Norma spent 40 years as a Matron/Director of Nursing/Nursing Superintendent, firstly at the Monto Hospital, then at Longreach and finally 30 years at the Rockhampton Hospital from 1971 until 2001.

This classic photo of Norma was taken ca. 1980. The photo also illustrates the transition from the elaborate starched organdie veils worn by Sisters in the early days of hospital nursing to paper "veils" which were introduced in the late 1960s. This one is known as a Baxter Style veil.

Matron Norma West Rockhampton Hospital ca. 1980

Norma was always keen to enhance her qualifications. After completing her initial nurse training in Bundaberg, she qualified in midwifery at the Queen Alexandra Maternity Hospital in Hobart. She left her position as Matron at the Monto Hospital to obtain a Maternal and Child Welfare Certificate in Brisbane. While Matron at Longreach, she took a year's leave to undertake a Diploma of Nursing Administration at the College of Nursing in Brisbane. Finally, while at the Rockhampton Hospital she completed a Graduate Diploma in Management from Central Queensland University.

Norma was awarded the Order of the British Empire - Officer (Civil) in 1983 for her service to nursing. She was always keen to see the transfer of nursing programs to the universities and played an instrumental role in the development of the nursing degree at Central Queensland University in the 1980s and 1990s.

Norma loved ceremony and particularly enjoyed the oppotunities provided at graduation ceremonies to honour the achievements of her students. She had a reputation for toughness but was very fair to students and strongly supported them if they were in difficulty. She had a reputation as a person who maintained absolute confidentiality as she handled the many issues which would face a successful manager.

Norma had many interests outside her professional career, especially through her service to Zonta, an international organisation which works to improve the lives of women worldwide. She was also involved in Meals on Wheels, ADFAS, St Luke's Church and U3A and played a leading role in the annual celebrations of International Nurses Day.

Many people owe her a great debt of gratitude, not least for the care which thay received in her hospitals.

You may read more about Norma and her achiements in this tribute from our Association.