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SHAW, Edna Mary Anna Jane (1891-1974)


Edna Mary Anna Jane Shaw, iconic Matron of Crown Street Women’s Hospital in Sydney NSW, was born on 7 June, 1891, at Murrumburrah, NSW, the eldest of six children of Rev. Augustus Rutherford Shaw, Anglican clergyman, and his wife, Mary Emelia, nee Druitt.

Educated at Miss Hogg’s School, Petersham and at Goulburn, she entered Marrickville Cottage Hospital as a probationer in 1914. She was granted her certificate in December,1917 and her midwifery certificate from the Royal Hospital for Women, Paddington, in June , 1918.

In 1919, she became deputy matron of Crown Street Women’s Hospital under newly appointed Matron Agnes Clark. She took charge of the district work and, in 1924, was also resposible for the out-patients department. Having obtained a mothercraft certificate in 1927 from the Tresilian Mothercraft Training School, Petersham, Edna Shaw took charge of the new ward for premature babies

In 1936, Edna Shaw was appointed Matron of Crown Street Hospital and continued to work tirelessly, giving advice and practical help when needed, supervising every facet of hospital management, including instructing trainee nurses and inspecting kitchen, laundry and staff quarters. She established antenatal and sterility clinics, a children’s creche and an almoners department. The hospital became internationally renowned for its work on treating eclampsia which, at the time, was responsible for one in three maternity related deaths.

Matron Shaw was a member and served on the Council of the Australasian Trained Nurses’ Association as well as other professional bodies. In World War II, she worked for the Church of England National Emergency Fund.

Known as ‘the mother of 100,000 babies’, Matron Shaw was loved and admired far and wide and highly respected by her staff. Matron Shaw deeply cared about her patients and often stayed with women who were seriously ill or dying and held their hand all night. She was awarded an O.B.E. in June 1950, and when she retired on 31 October 1952, a new wing of the nurses’ home was named in her honour.

In retirement, Edna Shaw gave radio broadcasts and served on the committee of the Hammondville Homes for senior Citizens. She died on 25 January 1974 and was buried in Waverly Cemetery.

View the entry in the database for SHAW, Edna Mary Anna Jane (1891-1974) and family. Click on her name at the heading of this page.

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