- Title
- Pandemic Influenza at Oodnadatta, 1919 : Aspects of treatment and care in a multiracial community
- Creator
- Bullen, Heatheranne
- Date
- 2018
- Type
- Text; Thesis; Masters
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/169879
- Identifier
- vital:14050
- Identifier
- https://library.federation.edu.au/record=b2789052
- Abstract
- On 24 January 1919, a thirty-two-year-old nurse from Sydney, Jean Williamson, disembarked at the railway station at Oodnadatta in the far north of South Australia to commence her new role as sister in charge of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) hostel. On 18 April that year, Williamson greeted thirty-four-year-old minister from Melbourne, Coledge Harland, who had arrived by train to take up a three-year post as padre for the AIM’s central Australian parish. Just over a month later, an influenza pandemic that had already killed untold numbers of people worldwide reached the isolated township. Drawing on primary documents, including an extensive collection of previously unseen photographs, letter and diaries from Harland and Williamson, this thesis examines the management and care of pandemic influenza at Oodnadatta from May to late July 1919. Intercultural aspects of the management and care of European, Afghan, Chinese and Aboriginal patients are examined in the context of the health and lifestyle of local residents, nursing practices, medicines, foods, accommodation and the contribution of individuals, groups and their roles. This intimate microhistory sheds light on a relatively unknown, yet important group of people in Australia’s frontier history: the missioners and others who cared for seriously ill Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients at Oodnadatta, provided culturally sensitive care that afforded respect, dignity and compassion to all. At the time, the gravity of the world wide situation and the sheer need to provide care saw individual efforts go unnoticed; however, in hindsight, it is possible to see and appreciate the significance of what they achieved under the most difficult of circumstances.; Masters by Research
- Publisher
- Federation University Australia
- Rights
- Copyright Heatheranne Bullen
- Rights
- Open Access
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- Pandemic; Influenza; Oodnadatta; Australia; Treatment; Multiracial community
- Full Text
- Thesis Supervisor
- Cahir, David (Fred)
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