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About Us
Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni
The VGH School of Nursing Alumni officially has functioned continuously since 1920, started by Bertha Pickles, Superintendent of Nurses. The first president was Mildred (Holloway) Hall, class of 1909. One could say that the alumni is 124 years old as the first class graduated in 1892; a remarkable feat and accomplished through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. For more information, please click here.
Membership & Payment of Dues
Membership and payment of dues to the VGH Alumni is vital to the future of our Alumni and its ability to carry on the crucial, unique and important activities in the management of the Alumni and the functions within the VGH School of Nursing Archives. Our Alumni is remarkable, as far as can be determined, it is the only hospital nursing alumni in Canada to function continuously for over 100 years due to our committed volunteers. Our Archives is recognized for its historical value by educators, researchers, authors, scholars and other archives. The only financial support to our Alumni is through these dues which is only $20 per year, so if we hope to have a future, payment is so important.
Membership dues are to be paid by January 1st of each year. To etransfer contact Treasurer: carola.shannon64@gmail.com ; for post – 311-15 Benny Dr, Halifax, NS B3S 0G2.
To obtain membership information contact Membership at: bluenosenurse@yahoo.ca
[ Please click here for the membership form ]
Meetings
Regular meetings currently are held the first Tuesday of the months, April, May, June, October through to December, in the church hall of Hope United, 3055 Connaught Ave., Halifax, NS, from 1 to 3 PM. Parking is free in the rear . Entrance is at side door, plus an elevator to the left. The Alumni AGM is held at this address in June. Occasionally an event is held in the Ballroom, Bethune building, VG site. Notice of these events sent via email to paid-up members or noted in the newsletter.
Honouring Alumni Members
A. FLO AWARD
Annually, the Executive and Board will select a member who meets the criteria, to receive the ‘Flo Award’. This is presented during the AGM, which is held in June. The award was initiated in 2016 by Maureen Manuge, class 1972 A, who also donated the image of a nurse. Maureen provides pictures of the recipient receiving the award from the President and this information is documented into a binder which is stored in the VGH Archives. A plaque is attached to the nurse figure with the winners & date engraved, both being stored in the VGH Archives, Bethune building. The Flo Award is presented to a member of the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni in recognition of their contribution to nursing. The recipient(s) are documented in the Newsletter along with a brief Bio. The Flo Award binder may be viewed Mondays during working hours of the Archives.
B. HONOURARY LIFE MEMBER
About every five years or so the Executive and Board will select a member(s) to receive this recognition which is always a surprise to the recipients. The recipients will receive a signed certificate by the president at the AGM in June. Each recipient’s short ‘Bio’ will be read out and then the certificates distributed. A list of Honourary Life Member recipients is recorded and kept in a 'binder' in the Archives and may be reviewed at any time.
CRITERIA FOR ISSUING VGH ALUMNI MEMBERS AWARDS
1. A continuous paid up Alumni member for 10 years.
2. Interest in promoting the activities of the Alumni over many years, example:
3. The Executive and Board make the final decision on the selection of the candidate (s) submitted.
C. ALUMNI ANNIVERSARY - 100 YEARS
Plans were made in 2020 to celebrate the 100 years that this hospital nursing alumni continuously existed, meeting on Tuesday evenings since 1920. All activities had to be cancelled because of the Covid 19 pandemic. A pamphlet was developed to honour past members from the first class onward. This pamphlet meets our motto: “Honouring the Past to Build the Future”. The pamphlet is titled "Proud of Past Members".
May 6, 2023 , an Anniversary event was held in the Ballroom and a second pamphlet was available to members titled "Acknowledging a Few VGH Grads Who Went the Extra Mile". These pamphlets are still available for class reunions from the Archives.
July 2026, the 106 Alumni Anniversary was celebrated in the Halifax Public Gardens by having a ‘Carpet Bed’ made of the VGH emblem. Maureen Manuge, class 1972A, initiated the idea and worked closely with the gardeners of the Halifax Public Gardens for the VG Hospital crest image called a ‘Carpet Bed’ displayed in the Public Gardens. There will be a signage beside the Carpet Bed to explain its significance.
D. FEATURING MEMBERS in NEWSLETTER
Occasionally, a member will be featured in the regular Newsletter describing their nursing career and other life accomplishments. Documented class reunions are available as well as Alumni or Archives activities. There is a section where the death of an Alumni member will be posted along with a short Bio. The Newsletter is available only to paid up Alumni members.
E. NOMINATING MEMBERS TO INSERT INTO CNA MEMORIAL BOOK
This is accomplished through the Nursing History NS Society of which the VGH Alumni is a member. A name which has been nominated and accepted and entered into the Memorial Book is Jean Nelson, VGH class of 1932. She served as a Nursing Sister in WW2 and was a Matron of a 1200 bed, under canvas, hospital in Belgium. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class medal, mentioned in dispatches as well as other medals and especially the Order of Canada. On return from overseas and discharged, she was the Director of Nurses at Camp Hill Hospital for many years. While there, and just before she retired, she developed “Homeward Bound Fund’ to aid veterans with vital equipment in order to have a reasonable quality of life and who could not afford the item. This is Jean’s legacy and is still in operation.
Another VGH graduate was accepted for the CNA Memorial Book - Pauline (Veniot) Weldon. Pauline Weldon, graduate Victoria General Hospital (VGH) School of Nursing, NS, 1959B and Dalhousie University BN degree in 1978. Clinical Instructor and Head Nurse, Rehabilitation Centre, a career over 22 years. She advanced the nursing profession by: participated in the development of the first Neurology/ Neurosurgery department at the VGH, east of Montreal; Coordinated the first MS Research Unit at Dalhousie University; Founding member of the MS Clinic with Dr ‘Jock’ Murray; Board of the National Journal -‘MS Care’; Founding member - Canadian Association Neurology Nurses (CANN) and served as Secretary, Treasurer and President; Editor of the CANN National Journal - Axon; National Committee Chair (CANN) for ‘Standards of Patient Care’ 1980; Member Canadian Association History Nursing (CAHN an Honourary member); First MS Nurses Recognition Award in Canada; June Halpar Award (International Organization of MS Nurses):d Berlix Canada Award. Pauline died 2017 survived by two children.
The Nursing History NS Society has recommended and were accepted, eight other Nova Scotia nurses who were included into the CNA Memorial Book. The Society is trying to have a provincial inclusion as example, collecting the Bio’s of NS nurses (other than the VG – because this is being done individually) as they come available. Also the Society has donated two benches honouring NS nurses; one is installed in the Rose Garden of Fort Needham – to honour nurses who ‘Held the fort for two days before help arrived from afar’ and the other is located in the Halifax Public Gardens – to honour nurses.
F. BIOGRAPHIES - VGH GRADUATES
There were 5000 graduates from the VGH School of Nursing and an attempt is to record the lives of each in a special book housed in the VGH Nurses Archives, Bethune building. The stories start from the first class of 1890 and there are approximately 3000 biographies documented. The stories are remarkable and will be a lasting and important legacy for the VGH School of Nursing. These documented stories not only indicate the contributions to the nursing profession but how all these nurses contributed to society as a whole, raising their children, volunteering in a variety of activities. All this becomes a valued background for historians, researchers and authors. Presently it is very difficult to contact the graduates from the classes of the 1970’s onward to the closing class of 1995. It would be appreciated if everyone would help in this endeavour to secure all these stories.
The form available here is to assist in the writing of your Bio which includes where to send your story.
Please read the following BIO DRAFT FROM VGH SCHOOL OF NURSING GRADUATES.
Objectives and Milestones of the Alumni
Please click here to read the story of the stained glass window in the Centennial Building.
EXECUTIVE and BOARD
The Executive (minimum 2 year term) consists of a President, President Elect, immediate Past President/Nominating Committee chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Chair.
The Board consists of the Executive and Chair of the Standing Committees: Archives, Bursary and Awards; Email Chair, Newsletter; Program. Publicity, Social & Communications, plus a new chair – Legacy Advocate.
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
Bylaws are reviewed approximately every 5 years and filed in the VG Archives; they can be viewed on request.
The VGH School of Nursing Alumni officially has functioned continuously since 1920, started by Bertha Pickles, Superintendent of Nurses. The first president was Mildred (Holloway) Hall, class of 1909. One could say that the alumni is 124 years old as the first class graduated in 1892; a remarkable feat and accomplished through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. For more information, please click here.
Membership & Payment of Dues
Membership and payment of dues to the VGH Alumni is vital to the future of our Alumni and its ability to carry on the crucial, unique and important activities in the management of the Alumni and the functions within the VGH School of Nursing Archives. Our Alumni is remarkable, as far as can be determined, it is the only hospital nursing alumni in Canada to function continuously for over 100 years due to our committed volunteers. Our Archives is recognized for its historical value by educators, researchers, authors, scholars and other archives. The only financial support to our Alumni is through these dues which is only $20 per year, so if we hope to have a future, payment is so important.
Membership dues are to be paid by January 1st of each year. To etransfer contact Treasurer: carola.shannon64@gmail.com ; for post – 311-15 Benny Dr, Halifax, NS B3S 0G2.
To obtain membership information contact Membership at: bluenosenurse@yahoo.ca
[ Please click here for the membership form ]
Meetings
Regular meetings currently are held the first Tuesday of the months, April, May, June, October through to December, in the church hall of Hope United, 3055 Connaught Ave., Halifax, NS, from 1 to 3 PM. Parking is free in the rear . Entrance is at side door, plus an elevator to the left. The Alumni AGM is held at this address in June. Occasionally an event is held in the Ballroom, Bethune building, VG site. Notice of these events sent via email to paid-up members or noted in the newsletter.
Honouring Alumni Members
A. FLO AWARD
Annually, the Executive and Board will select a member who meets the criteria, to receive the ‘Flo Award’. This is presented during the AGM, which is held in June. The award was initiated in 2016 by Maureen Manuge, class 1972 A, who also donated the image of a nurse. Maureen provides pictures of the recipient receiving the award from the President and this information is documented into a binder which is stored in the VGH Archives. A plaque is attached to the nurse figure with the winners & date engraved, both being stored in the VGH Archives, Bethune building. The Flo Award is presented to a member of the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni in recognition of their contribution to nursing. The recipient(s) are documented in the Newsletter along with a brief Bio. The Flo Award binder may be viewed Mondays during working hours of the Archives.
B. HONOURARY LIFE MEMBER
About every five years or so the Executive and Board will select a member(s) to receive this recognition which is always a surprise to the recipients. The recipients will receive a signed certificate by the president at the AGM in June. Each recipient’s short ‘Bio’ will be read out and then the certificates distributed. A list of Honourary Life Member recipients is recorded and kept in a 'binder' in the Archives and may be reviewed at any time.
CRITERIA FOR ISSUING VGH ALUMNI MEMBERS AWARDS
1. A continuous paid up Alumni member for 10 years.
2. Interest in promoting the activities of the Alumni over many years, example:
- Member of a committee (s).
- Chair of a committee (s).
- Executive position (s).
- Contributed innovative ideas to promote the objectives of the Alumni.
- Volunteered for extra activities.
3. The Executive and Board make the final decision on the selection of the candidate (s) submitted.
C. ALUMNI ANNIVERSARY - 100 YEARS
Plans were made in 2020 to celebrate the 100 years that this hospital nursing alumni continuously existed, meeting on Tuesday evenings since 1920. All activities had to be cancelled because of the Covid 19 pandemic. A pamphlet was developed to honour past members from the first class onward. This pamphlet meets our motto: “Honouring the Past to Build the Future”. The pamphlet is titled "Proud of Past Members".
May 6, 2023 , an Anniversary event was held in the Ballroom and a second pamphlet was available to members titled "Acknowledging a Few VGH Grads Who Went the Extra Mile". These pamphlets are still available for class reunions from the Archives.
July 2026, the 106 Alumni Anniversary was celebrated in the Halifax Public Gardens by having a ‘Carpet Bed’ made of the VGH emblem. Maureen Manuge, class 1972A, initiated the idea and worked closely with the gardeners of the Halifax Public Gardens for the VG Hospital crest image called a ‘Carpet Bed’ displayed in the Public Gardens. There will be a signage beside the Carpet Bed to explain its significance.
D. FEATURING MEMBERS in NEWSLETTER
Occasionally, a member will be featured in the regular Newsletter describing their nursing career and other life accomplishments. Documented class reunions are available as well as Alumni or Archives activities. There is a section where the death of an Alumni member will be posted along with a short Bio. The Newsletter is available only to paid up Alumni members.
E. NOMINATING MEMBERS TO INSERT INTO CNA MEMORIAL BOOK
This is accomplished through the Nursing History NS Society of which the VGH Alumni is a member. A name which has been nominated and accepted and entered into the Memorial Book is Jean Nelson, VGH class of 1932. She served as a Nursing Sister in WW2 and was a Matron of a 1200 bed, under canvas, hospital in Belgium. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class medal, mentioned in dispatches as well as other medals and especially the Order of Canada. On return from overseas and discharged, she was the Director of Nurses at Camp Hill Hospital for many years. While there, and just before she retired, she developed “Homeward Bound Fund’ to aid veterans with vital equipment in order to have a reasonable quality of life and who could not afford the item. This is Jean’s legacy and is still in operation.
Another VGH graduate was accepted for the CNA Memorial Book - Pauline (Veniot) Weldon. Pauline Weldon, graduate Victoria General Hospital (VGH) School of Nursing, NS, 1959B and Dalhousie University BN degree in 1978. Clinical Instructor and Head Nurse, Rehabilitation Centre, a career over 22 years. She advanced the nursing profession by: participated in the development of the first Neurology/ Neurosurgery department at the VGH, east of Montreal; Coordinated the first MS Research Unit at Dalhousie University; Founding member of the MS Clinic with Dr ‘Jock’ Murray; Board of the National Journal -‘MS Care’; Founding member - Canadian Association Neurology Nurses (CANN) and served as Secretary, Treasurer and President; Editor of the CANN National Journal - Axon; National Committee Chair (CANN) for ‘Standards of Patient Care’ 1980; Member Canadian Association History Nursing (CAHN an Honourary member); First MS Nurses Recognition Award in Canada; June Halpar Award (International Organization of MS Nurses):d Berlix Canada Award. Pauline died 2017 survived by two children.
The Nursing History NS Society has recommended and were accepted, eight other Nova Scotia nurses who were included into the CNA Memorial Book. The Society is trying to have a provincial inclusion as example, collecting the Bio’s of NS nurses (other than the VG – because this is being done individually) as they come available. Also the Society has donated two benches honouring NS nurses; one is installed in the Rose Garden of Fort Needham – to honour nurses who ‘Held the fort for two days before help arrived from afar’ and the other is located in the Halifax Public Gardens – to honour nurses.
F. BIOGRAPHIES - VGH GRADUATES
There were 5000 graduates from the VGH School of Nursing and an attempt is to record the lives of each in a special book housed in the VGH Nurses Archives, Bethune building. The stories start from the first class of 1890 and there are approximately 3000 biographies documented. The stories are remarkable and will be a lasting and important legacy for the VGH School of Nursing. These documented stories not only indicate the contributions to the nursing profession but how all these nurses contributed to society as a whole, raising their children, volunteering in a variety of activities. All this becomes a valued background for historians, researchers and authors. Presently it is very difficult to contact the graduates from the classes of the 1970’s onward to the closing class of 1995. It would be appreciated if everyone would help in this endeavour to secure all these stories. The form available here is to assist in the writing of your Bio which includes where to send your story.
Please read the following BIO DRAFT FROM VGH SCHOOL OF NURSING GRADUATES.
Objectives and Milestones of the Alumni
- Installed a stained glass window in the Centennial Building (2004).
- Placed a tree with a plaque in front of the Centennial Building.
- Laid a brick in Victoria Park, Halifax, inscribed "from the VG School of Nursing".
- Donated articles to Pallative Care, VG site.
- Lay a wreath annually at the Halifax Cenotaph (Nov 11, since 2003).
- Donated food and clothing annually to local charities.
- Donated money to the VG Hospital Site Foundation for patient comfort.
- Presenting annual bursaries and awards to University nursing students.
- Sponsored "Victorian Teas" or other events for alumni members.
- Provide a quarterly Newsletter to paying Alumni members.
- Support the VGH School of Nursing Archives, housed in the Bethune building.
Please click here to read the story of the stained glass window in the Centennial Building.
EXECUTIVE and BOARD
The Executive (minimum 2 year term) consists of a President, President Elect, immediate Past President/Nominating Committee chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Chair.
The Board consists of the Executive and Chair of the Standing Committees: Archives, Bursary and Awards; Email Chair, Newsletter; Program. Publicity, Social & Communications, plus a new chair – Legacy Advocate.
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
Bylaws are reviewed approximately every 5 years and filed in the VG Archives; they can be viewed on request.
© 2026 Halifax Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni (E)