Introduction to the project
By Jayne Krisjanous
In 2016 Ron Easthope presented his work on Nurse Barbara Mackenzie, a nurse at Wellington Hospital xxxx. As he mentions, the origin of this work is an enquiry I made to him about archival photos of Wellington Hospital nurses, Ron pointed me to the NewZealand Archives where he had deposited a photo album some years ago that had belonged to Babara Mackenzie (insert archive ref).
I reviewed the album at the Archives shortly after and was absolutely fascinated by its contents: images of nurses at work, leisure, the return of WWI troops and convalescence in Wellington and the physical structures of the early Wellington Hospital. Just as fascinating were the blank spaces, where photos had been removed. Anyone who has conducted research on archival photos will know that behind every grainy static picture is a story, waiting to be “read”.
Barbara Mackenzie had a box brownie camera she obviously took a lot of enjoyment from. A box brownie is seen in a couple of the photos taken (and Ron and I believed it is this or a similar one that took the photos in the album). We are very pleased Barbara faithfully kept an album of her work.
The mystery of Barbara Mackenzie led Ron and I to set out on a journey of discovery. I was keen to explore the way these images told their story, Ron intent of discovering more about Barbara Mackenzie. This work eventually led to two presentations at WMHS. The first by me xxxx” and the second by Ron (xxx). Ron had discovered much about Barbara, including what she accomplished after leaving Wellington Hospital.
Contact with her extended family also proved most valuable. A written booklet by Ron, extending the work of his original presentation to WMHS follows (xx). I believe this work is extremely valuable as it highlights one nurse, Barbara Mackenzie, who needs to be remembered. Not just for her own work and contribution to Wellington Hospital but as one of the hundreds of nurses who have passed through Wellington Hospital corridors who might be easily forgotten, accessible only as an entry on State Registration records.
