Nursing founder finds judges' favour

Apr 2 2008

A University of Sydney researcher's book about the woman who founded modern nursing in Australia has been short listed for one of Australia's biggest literary awards.

The National Biography Award judges announced this morning that Lucy Osburn, a lady displaced: Florence Nightingale's envoy to Australia, by Judith Godden, is one of six books short listed.

The award judges said: "Judith Godden saves from obscurity the founder of modern nursing in Australia. Lucy Osburn was an envoy of Florence Nightingale, and she transformed both standards of patient care and notions of women's work in the colony of New South Wales, running a gauntlet of male intolerance and female distrust. This book is a real labour of love."

Dr Godden, a senior lecturer in the School of Public Health, said: "Just to be short listed is a great honour, and I'm delighted to be short listed with five other excellent books. I really think Lucy Osburn should be a household name, and I hope this publicity will help her receive appreciation for the important role she has played in the history of Australian health.

"I began work on the book at the Faculty of Nursing, and after moving to the School of Public Health I received crucial support enabling me to complete the book. I particularly want to thank Sydney University Press, who were delightful to work with."

Australia's richest prize for biographical writing and memoir - the winner receives $20,000 - attracted 33 entries. Published by Sydney University Press, Lucy Osburn,a lady displaced, was one of six titles short listed. Other short listed titles included A Thinking Reed, by Barry Jones, and Jonestown: The Power and the myth of Alan Jones by Chris Masters.

The judges for this year's award are critic and writer Carmel Bird, academic and writer John Dale and author Gideon Haigh.

The winner will be announced at an award ceremony at the State Library of NSW on Thursday 10 April at 6pm.

http://www.usyd.edu.au/