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Rosa Zelma Huppatz

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Zelma Huppatz
Born
Rosa Zelma Huppatz

(1906-07-20)20 July 1906
Died13 December 1982(1982-12-13) (aged 76)
Adelaide, South Australia
Occupation(s)nurse, matron
AwardsFlorence Nightingale Medal

Rosa Zelma Huppatz MBE (20 July 1906 – 13 December 1982), known as Zelma Huppatz, was a South Australian nurse and matron who served in the Middle East and Australia during World War II and then as matron of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Early life and training

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Huppatz was born on 20 July 1906 in Peters Hill, South Australia.[1]

In 1930, Huppatz completed her surgical nursing training at the Adelaide Hospital with credit[2] and passed her general nursing certificate the following year.[3]

Career

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After six years as staff sister at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Huppatz applied for overseas war service as a nurse.[4] She joined the Australian Army Nursing Service as a sister on 14 February 1940, was promoted matron in June 1942, major in March 1943 and lieutenant colonel in 1945.[5] She served in the Middle East from April 1940 to February 1942 and then at Katherine, Northern Territory from August 1943 to August 1944. Huppatz was discharged on 1 August 1946 and transferred to the Reserve of Officers.[6]

In 1955, Huppatz was appointed matron of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, retiring in 1966.[1]

Awards and honours

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In 1945, Huppatz was recommended for, but not awarded, the Royal Red Cross (RRC).[7]

Huppatz was presented with the Florence Nightingale Medal by Lady Bastyan in Adelaide on 8 June 1963.[8]

In the 1966 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Huppatz was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[9][10]

Death and legacy

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Huppatz died on 13 December 1982 in Royal Adelaide Hospital and was cremated. She never married.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Nicholson, Sally-Anne, "Huppatz, Rosa Zelma (1906–1982)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 27 April 2019
  2. ^ "Nurses Pass Examinations". News (Adelaide, SA : 1923–1954). 27 August 1930. p. 2. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Nurses' Exam. Results". News (Adelaide, SA : 1923–1954). 16 November 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  4. ^ "S.A. Nurses for Examination for Overseas Service". Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931–1954). 13 December 1939. p. 8. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  5. ^ "War Service Record of Rosa Zelma Huppatz p.4". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  6. ^ "War Service Record – Rosa Zelma Huppatz p2". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  7. ^ "War Service Record – Rosa Zelma Huppatz p12". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  8. ^ International Committee of the Red Cross (May 1964). "Nineteenth Award of the Florence Nightingale Medal" (PDF). International Review of the Red Cross. 38: 228.
  9. ^ "Rosa Zelma Huppatz". honours.pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Commonwealth and State list in full". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926–1995). 11 June 1966. p. 8. Retrieved 27 April 2019.