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Navy Public Relations.

SUNDAY RELEASE; Not to be published or broadcast before 6pm. on Sunday 8th Decembers

' . NAVY FORMS NURSING SERVICE.

The Minister for the Navy, Senator Gorton, today

announced the creation of a new branch of the Royal Australian

Navy.

It is the R.A.N. Nursing Service, which will provide

nursing sisters for Naval hospitals. '

Senator Gorton said it was planned to introduce the

new Service next year to replace the present system of employing

civilian sisters in Naval establishments. ■

. The civilian sisters would be eligible to apply

to enter the new Service, which would be an integral part of the

Royal Australian Navy.

Senator Gorton said the introduction of the new

Service would contribute to efficiency in Naval hospitals. The

sisters would have official status in their dealings with service

personnel, and the new Service was expected to result in greater

continuity of employment.·

The Navy at present employs 21 nursing sisters. Most

of them are at the Flinders Naval Hospital in Victoria and the

Balmoral Naval Hospital in Sydney. Others are stationed at Manus

Island, the Junior Recruit Training/Establishment in Fremantle,

the Apprentice Training Establishment near Sydney, the Naval Radio

Station in Canberra ana the Royal Australian Naval College at

Jervis Bay.

*****

Canberra 8th December, 1963.