My latest book was launched on Friday 5 March by Ms Sharon Claydon MP, Federal Member for Newcastle. The book tells the story of Newcastle woman, Ida Mary Greaves, who graduated from Newcastle Hospital in 1904. After six years experience in hospital and private nursing in Australia Ida left to work in England. When Britain and its allies declared war on Germany in 1914, Ida immediately volunteered to join the Australian Voluntary Hospital (AVH), an independent military hospital established by Rachel, Lady Dudley and funded by donations from Australians. With Ida as matron and Newcastle surgeon Lieutenant Colonel William L’Estrange Eames as commanding officer, the hospital was the first unit from any of the dominions to arrive on the Western Front. In over four-and-a-half years of service in France and Belgium, Matron Greaves was awarded the Royal Red Cross and was mentioned in dispatches three times. The book can be ordered by contacting me on – sistersofthevalley@gmail.com. Cost: $30 plus $7 postage and packing within Australia.