New South Wales Nurses Association
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Mary Patten - 2 February 1933 - 13 November 2004

Type: Union News       Subject: Nursing Issues
1 December 2004

Mary Patten
Mary Patten
Former ANF Federal Secretary Mary Patten died on 13 November 2004 after a period of illness. An esteemed nurse, Mary served as ANF Federal Secretary from 1970 to 1980. Under her leadership, the ANF (then the Royal Australian Nursing Federation, RANF) increased its membership from 19,000 to over 45,000, and became active in many new areas.

Another highlight of Mary's leadership was the progress she made toward the transfer of nursing education to university. In a final interview with the ANJ in July this year, Mary said she remained convinced about the merits of the transfer to university. 'It was a very difficult battle because there were so many people against it ... but I have no doubt it was the right thing to do,' she said.

ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said Ms Patten had left a wonderful legacy at the ANF for nurses throughout Australia. 'Every nurse has benefited from her efforts to develop nursing as a profession.'

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