Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette 4 September 1902, page 2
DAY DAWN NOTES.
The ambulance waggon for Day Dawn arrived on Saturday last, and is a very handsomely finished vehicle. The waggon, which has been christened ” Kathleen Maud,” has been built from an American design of the latest and most up-to-date principles, with some local internal improvements. It is designed to cope with accidents of an extensive nature, as well as with single eases, and will carry three recumbent patients, and four with injuries to the upper portion of the body, such as broken arms, etc. It may be mentioned that this is an improvement on the English waggon, which is usually made to accommodate only two persons. The false bottom with which it is supplied, is also a very useful improvement. This works on rollers and may be drawn out, the patient placed on it and then pushed back like a drawer. Provision has been made for ventilation, but considering the hot climate here, this may prove insufficient. Shafts and pole arc attached enabling the waggon to be used as a one or two horse vehicle, as occasion demands. It is painted a dark blue, with an ambulance cross on the top panel under the driver’s seat are two drawers in which are carried all the equipment necessary for ‘ first aid,” and the van is supplied with three sets of stretchers and accessories.
Tho total cost of the van, including two extra stretchers, one set of single and one set of double harness, amounted to close on £200. It is to be hoped that the recently formed St. John s Ambulance Association at Day Dawn will not be allowed to die out, as I understand that there is at least one capable certificated gentlemen in the Dawn who is willing to give his services as instructor, and one or two others also are willing to assist. With a few capable “first aid” ladies and gentlemen and the ” Kathleen Maud,” the risk of removing the injured should now be reduced to a minimum at Day Dawn.
Moya Sharp
Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)
- Doubly Deserted by Val Jameson - 04/01/2025
- John B Ryan – an adventurous life - 04/01/2025
- She Lost Her Husband by a Whisker - 04/01/2025
I have another photo of this with horse etc, was named after a member of my family ..
Katherine and John Holman’s took their family on a church picnic at Millie’s Soak near Cue. Katherine’s mother took the two older children, May and Maudie (Kathleen Maud) for a walk. The girls wandered off to pick wildflowers and when little Maud tried to return to the group she became lost.
When she couldn’t be found an aboriginal tracker was called in but all the activity had obliterated her tracks. Night fell, by next morning things looked grim. At 2o’clock in the afternoon Katherine was beside herself with worry and went for a walk. In the distance she saw the child and with great relief all ended happily. Maud had been missing for 26 hours. It was estimated she had walked 20 miles and seemed none the worse for her adventure apart from being thirsty.
The ambulance pictured believed purchased by public subscription and built by Bowra & O’Dea, gifted to the Day Dawn Hospital at Cue and named “Kathleen Maud” after the little girl lost.
Dear Jennifer, what a wonderful story! I would love to add this to the post with your permission and I would love to see the photo. If you are able to share it my email is moyasharp@westnet.com.au
I am Ian Haines my Mother Kathleen Haines (nee. Corboy) daughter of Kathleen Maud Holman saw this information thankyou my Mum is very happy to find out information about the ambulance as recently my wife and l went through Cue and l took some photos of old buildings to show but found nothing of the ambulance we all live now in in Bunbury area my Mum is 86