Australian Dress Register

This carer uniform is unique as it was designed and made by the wearer Sister Camillus Jackson [1922-2007].

The uniform is important in interpreting the life and times of Sister Camillus, her contribution to her faith and caring for the elderly during a time of great change in  the church.  The uniform which superceeded the nun's habit, also assists the interpretation of women's religious role in the wider community.

She was born Helen Annette Jackson in Leederville and spent all her a life in Western Australia. She entered the Sisters of Mercy, West Perth in 1940. Her early career was teaching piano and singing but in 1969 at the age of 47 she began her journey towards the nursing profession with courses with St John's Ambulance. In 1974 she graduated as a registered nurse having received prizes in her studies. She was appointed as Care Manager at Mercyville Aged Care facility which she helped plan and set up. In 1984 Sister Camillus was transferred to Villa Maria, a larger facility where she wore the uniform with pride.

This uniform is evidence of Sister Camillius' committment to her nursing and care of the elderly in the Sisters of Mercy aged care facilities. She made it for her combined role as a Sister of Mercy and registered nurse. The uniform was donated to the archives upon her death.

This uniform is an example of an everyday dress style made from a shop bought pattern by someone who until that time had worn the offical habit of the congregation.

 

Author: Annie Q. Medley - Cultural Collections Curator, 17th April 2014.

This nursing outfit, made by Sr Camillus, comprises white knee length princess line dress with detachable collar, long sleeves with cuff and belt. The dress has shoulder tabs with St John's Ambulance insignia. "V" shaped patch pockets are incorporated into the centre front side seams. These have a mock flap with button and uncut machine made buttonhole, The dress has a centre back zip and hook and eye closure to the inside of the neck edge are five male pop fasteners. The sleeves are set in with cuffs at the wrist. The cuffs have a button and buttonhole closure. The belt is a band, square at one end and"V"shaped at the other. It has two machine made buttonholes, one uncut. One button is handstitched over the uncut buttonhole, the other stitched to use. A safety pin is in position to use as a secondary fastening.The detached collar is a shirt collar pattern with points, worn back to front. It has five female pop fasteners equidistant hand stitched to the neck edge.

The waist length jacket is made of fine black wool twill, with a red nylon lining. The neckine is plain with a metal hook and eye closure.

The set in sleeves are wrist length with no cuff. St John's Ambulance insignia is present on the shoulder tabs.