Shep's Place Family Tree

Vera was born in the Barton Hotel in what is now known as Piesseville on the 7th March 1911. She was the eldest child of seven born to Norman Stanley and Rosa Mary Harvey.

Her parents were farmers in the Wagin district where she enjoyed her early childhood and developed a great love for country life. Unfortunately her mother died shortly after the birth of her sister Rowena when Vera was 13 years old. The role of big sister developed a truly independent woman, which assisted her throughout life.

The children were sent to boarding school with the girls at the Sisters of St Gertrude's Convent in New Norcia. Sister Julia wrote a much treasured letter to Vera in July 1928 congratulating her on her first nursing appointment: "You have your heart's desire. I feel you will make an excellent nurse having such a keen wish for the work."

So it was that Vera left school in June 1928 to take up her first position as a Nurse Practitioner at the Lake Grace Hospital which was run by the Australian Inland Mission. For a week's caring she earned one pound.

In 1930 Vera joined her brother Frank on the Chittering farm both to assist Frank and to be nearer her younger siblings who were still at New Norcia. Their father was away at Newdegate farming and Vera and Frank were responsible for the sheep and orchard at Chittering. Transport was difficult at times and on one occasion they had to reconstruct a T model Ford to get the fruit to market. This story was still part of the fond memories recanted about Vera's early adulthood.

Vera's cars were legend to all who knew her with the great care lavished on them and detailed knowledge of the machinery involved. No doubt it was a brave mechanic who undertook the maintenance of her vehicles whilst under the hawk eye of a perfectionist.

As the Depression worsened the Chittering farm had to be sold and Vera and Frank returned to be with their father at Newdegate. The Matron at Lake Grace Hospital called for Vera to rejoin her staff where assistance was urgently needed.

In 1934 Sister Seedsman asked Vera to accompany her to Derby Hospital for six months. From the north west Vera travelled to St Clair's Private Hospital and then on to Bunbury District Hospital. Whilst at Bunbury Vera elected to commence her general nursing training through the government scheme.
Vera started training at the tuberculosis hospital at Wooroloo on 16th August 1936 remaining for twelve months. A further six months at Bunbury District Hospital was followed by the final eighteen months at Kalgoorlie where a large section of the hospital had recently been destroyed by fire. Already difficult conditions were made even more arduous following this catastrophe.

Small babies had to be kept cool with damp sheets hung over their cots and electric fans playing a breeze through the room. Gastroenteritis was rife and many sick children were saved with the medical staffs care and diligence.
Having completed her training Vera stayed on in Kalgoorlie as Charge nurse of the Intermediate Ward. By the 22nd December 1941 Vera had completed her Triple Certificate with Midwifery, and Infant Welfare and Mothercraft training at the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women in Subiaco.

Vera joined the Australian Army Nursing Service after working at Wongan Hills. On 15th October 1942 she became Sister V.S. Harvey WFX 22052 Rank Lieutenant. Her first posting was to Northam at the 118 Australian General Hospital where she held the position of Home Sister in charge of the staff in the Nurses' Quarters. The responsibilities of this position included menus for the Doctors' and Sisters' messes, supervising staff sleeping quarters and the purchasing of all drinks and cigarettes for the Sisters' Mess. The quarters comprised mainly tents and a freak cyclonic storm wrecked Northam town and sent much of the nurses' private possessions to the far corners of the state.
Vera was posted to Lucknow Hospital and then on to the 2/6 Australian General Hospital at Rocky Creek, 12 miles from Atherton in Queensland. Many longstanding acquaintances were made in this happy place with a medical team assembled from all over Australia.

The Hospital Ship "Manunda" sailed from Cairns on the 4th July 1945 to a destination unknown. There was talk of the war ending as they sailed on past New Guinea and pulled into Morati Island where they stayed for 3 weeks. The nurses found the American soldiers quite threatening with stories of assaults as well as the Japanese flying overhead. Any nurse leaving the hospital had to sign out and in and be accompanied by two armed officers for their safety.

Medication called Atebrin given to everyone to prevent infection with malaria caused a serious skin reaction in Vera and much to her great disappointment she had to be flown home on a Catalina. Several of her fellow nurses wept at Vera leaving but they were comforted by the good news of her recovery at Hollywood Military Hospital. Her unit continued on to nurse the prisoners from Changi camp.

Having taken leave, Vera was posted to Heidelberg Hospital, Victoria in 1947. In February 1948 she became part of the nursing staff on the transport ship Kanimbla travelling to Japan twice to bring back Australian troops.

Her discharge from the A.A.N.S. occurred on the 3rd February 1949 in Western Australia. Vera had commenced Chiropody studies whilst in the services but did not complete her training. However the care lavished on her patients was all that more complete with her intimate knowledge of the principles of foot care.

Whilst living with Uncle Clem and Aunty Dross, Vera nursed privately for eight years prior to becoming the first Silver Chain Nurse in the Bunbury Branch in June 1957. As the principal nurse she worked hard with the utmost professionalism keeping those immaculate records which we have all encountered at some time. In September 1960 the Silver Chain house at 112 Minninup Road was completed and Vera had her own accommodation.
Vera became Superintendent of the Bunbury Branch supervising several nurses and their schedule. A home help scheme was developed and there were five duty cars to be maintained. The service was widely respected and no doubt very efficient and provided excellent care for all those needing a nurse. Vera retired on the 27th June 1974 with several farewell parties and well wishers and ex-staff members travelling long distances to wish her well.

In the year prior to her retirement Vera travelled to Sydney with Frank to assist with the care of their brother Harold who was dying.

The Bunbury community held Vera in high esteem and they celebrated her self less contribution to the nursing profession with a Mayoral Reception. The British Empire Medal was awarded to Vera in May 1976 with a family luncheon proudly sponsored by her brother Frank.

3A College Row became Vera's new residence just around the corner from her Silver Chain house. Immaculate lawn edges with thriving crops of parsley and rhubarb became her signature. She constructed many practical devices from wood including the modification of wooden spoons to have a flat edge to enhance their capacity to scrape the bottom of the pot. Walking staffs made from Gimlet poles carefully collected from the bush at Holt Rock were generously presented to family and friends.

Vera rarely rewarded herself, living a very humble life with a tendency to hoard and collect items that may be useful at some stage. Her trips overseas following her retirement were treasured events with happy memories shared with those around her.

Retirement gave Vera opportunities to visit her family and provide some of the most exquisite marmalade and plum sauce one could ever wish for. If there was a programme of merit worth recording Vera made a tape of it from radio or television. Probably one of her family's prized possessions is the video recording of her 16mm film library with memories of her past and the significant times she enjoyed. Vera enjoyed good music and often spent her evenings having a scotch or two to the sound of her favourite orchestra.

Immaculate self care with a good diet did not prevent Vera from developing health problems. Following painful crush fractures of her spine due to osteoporosis Vera lost her total independence and shifted to Albany to be near Joan in 1997. After a long period of rehabilitation she moved into the Gwen Hardie Lodge at Emu Point where she recommenced her interest in parsley growing in the small plot outside her unit. Finely cut and freshly frozen parsley was provided to family and friends. It is certainly an enduring memory of the joy that Vera gained from a healthy vegetable precisely prepared and enjoyed with her meals.

Since shifting to Albany all of her immediate family have been able to visit with Cedric travelling from Victoria to spend many enjoyable nights in her company. Other friends also managed to visit and continue their close relationships and interests with her.

Nursing remained in Vera's blood and the hospitalisation of Rowena in Ravensthorpe saw her travel with Joan to provide what care she could in the final weeks of their little sister's life. The incredible dedication and love in her nursing provided Vera with pride and enjoyment in a job well done as always.
Vera died suddenly on the morning of Wednesday 27th February 2002 after being admitted for investigation of her worsening angina. She smiled and was cheerful when the doctors and nurses made their morning round, secure in an environment she knew and respected.