Hester Maclean

Hester Maclean, (25 February 1859 – 2 September 1932) was an Australian-born nurse, hospital matron, nursing administrator, editor and writer who spent most of her career in New Zealand. She served in the First World War as the founding Matron-in-Chief of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, and was one of the first nurses to be awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal.

Early life Maclean was born in Sofala in the Colony of New South Wales on 25 February 1859. Her parents were Emily (née Strong) and Harold Maclean. She was educated at private schools and was inspired by her father's nurse to become a nurse herself. Maclean trained at Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, completing her certificate in 1893.

Career After completing her training, Maclean nursed in a number of hospitals in New South Wales and Victoria, including the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne and Kogarah Hospital in Sydney. In 1905 she travelled to England and trained in midwifery. On her return to Sydney, she successfully applied for the position of Assistant Inspector of Hospitals in Wellington, and moved to New Zealand in 1906 to replace Grace Neill, who was retiring.

During her tenure, Maclean was responsible for establishing schemes for rural district nursing, native health nurses and school nurses. She also oversaw the extension of the St. Helen's hospitals for midwifery training. Among other tasks, Maclean designed the NZANS's uniform.

In 1923, Maclean retired from the Department of Health and wrote her autobiography, Nursing in New Zealand, which was published in 1932. Maclean died in Wellington on 2 September 1932. She was buried in Karori Cemetery,

Awards In 1917 Maclean was awarded the Royal Red Cross, first class. In June 1920 The International Red Cross, Geneva awarded her the Florence Nightingale Medal.

Artist MacLean was also a keen amateur watercolourist. She exhibited at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. Two of her works are in the collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. After her death a number of her watercolour sketches were sold to benefit the Registered Nurses' Association.