Ward dress : Voluntary Aid Detachment

Nurses one-piece full-length white plain weave cotton ward dress with a high rounded neck with narrow stand collar, together with a detachable heavily starched collar, and a self fabric belt secured with two white plastic buttons. The front of the bodice has a placketed opening, extending through the waist to hip level on the skirt, secured by eight large white plastic buttons, with a white metal hook and eye at the throat. The bodice is plain and is gathered into the waist. The long sleeves are gathered at the head, and into the straight cuffs, which are closed with a white plastic button. The skirt is made from five panels and has a deep 80 mm hem. Inside the neck opening is a maker's label , 'STEVENSON Garments of Distinction, with size : spec; order : 1801; machinist; JG'.

This dress is an example of the ward uniform worn by members of the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD), who worked in Australian military hospitals and convalescent homes as ward assistants (nursing aides) during the First World War. A white apron with a red cross in the centre of the bib top would have been worn over it.

Unlike British VADs, who worked in hospitals in France and Belgium, in the capacity of junior staff nurses, Australian VADs worked within Australia only, usually in an unpaid capacity. Although they received training in first aid they were not trained nurses. Much of the work undertaken by Australian VADs involved fund raising activities for the Red Cross and support for returning soldiers. They also drove ambulances. In these latter roles they wore a different white uniform, with an open neck, together with a broad brimmed white hat.

• Heavily starched collar for nurse's ward dress : Australian Army Nursing Service