Biography

Patricia Chomley

Patricia Downes Chomley was the first Director of the College of Nursing, Australia (as it was then known), holding the position for 15 years. In that time she not only established the College as an educational institution for nurses, but consolidated her own reputation as an educator and ‘quiet achiever’ in the cause of educational development for nurses - a cause she passionately believed in and to which she was totally committed. She led by example, first pursuing her own educational development and then making it possible for others to achieve the same professional and personal growth through education, by establishing the College as the leading post basic educational institution for nurses in Australia.

Miss Chomley’s interest in education began early in her nursing career. After completing her basic nursing training at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in 1934 and her midwifery certificate at the Royal Womens Hospital the following year, she returned to the Alfred Hospital and subsequently took up a position as Sister Tutor. She enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service in 1940 and saw active service in Palestine, Libya and Ceylon and on the hospital ship Manunda.

On return to civilian life, and as one of the first Florence Nightingale international scholars, she pursued her own education completing the Sister Tutor Diploma with distinction, at the University of London, in 1947. Before her returned to Australia, Patricia took up a position as tutor with the Royal College of Nursing in London, and served there as Acting Director for a period of time. She returned to Australia in 1948, with negotiations for the position of Director of the new College already underway. College of Nursing, Australia was established in that following year, 1949. She was appointed Director and took up the position on 12 December 1949, bringing energy, enthusiasm, international experience and connections, to the task of establishing and developing the College.

Under her directorship the College of Nursing, Australia became firmly established both nationally and internationally as Australia’s leading institution for post basic education for nurses. It attracted students from all states and territories in Australia as well as from countries in the region. The number of courses offered increased from three diploma courses in the first year, 1950, to eight diploma courses in the nineteen sixties. The numbers of students and staff  members also increased in this time.

On her retirement in 1964 Miss Chomley had the satisfaction of knowing that she had created a viable and thriving organisation with a promising future, well placed and prepared, largely by her efforts, to take advantage of changes in the education environment to further promote the cause of education for nurses. Her efforts were recognised with the MBE Award in 1968. The College also recognised her contribution to nursing by bestowing its highest honour, Honorary Fellowship of Royal College of Nursing, Australia, in 1993. Her name is perpetuated in the Patricia Chomley Memorial Orations which have been delivered each year since 1966 at the College’s annual meeting.

Miss Chomley created a foundation for nursing education on which others were able to build and, in doing so, established the College as a highly respected educational entity. She is seen as a ‘pioneer’ for post basic education for nurses. This idea grew and flourished in the minds of the many nurses who were students of the College and who became leaders in the movement to realise nursing as a discipline in its own right, through education.

Patricia Downes Chomley died in October 2002 at the excellent age of 93 years.