Childhood
Born to parents Friedrich (Frederick) and Annie (nee Smith) at Sister Langleys Cottage in Riverton on 20th July 1906, Rosa Zelma Huppatz was named after an aunt (sister of her mother). Zelma, as she was known, was one of eight children born there (Annie 1901, Ada 1903, Martin 1905, Olive 1907, Adelaide 1909, Frederick 1910 and Lesley 1911). Growing up on the family property “Maroomba” at Peters Hill just outside of Riverton, she did not have an opportunity at schooling. During this time she went into service working in the home of a clergyman. While working there she gained an appreciation of books and taught herself to read.
As a child Zelma and her siblings all had their assigned work at home including caring for their aging grandparents who lived with them. At times one or another of the girls would be required to stay home and help around the house.
Education
Mrs Huppatz believed that education was important and would read to the children each knight. Zelma’s sister Lesley recalls “that the children learnt to appreciate literature and that books were always given as Christmas presents”.
School was in Riverton, a walk of bicycle ride of 4 miles (6.4km) from the Huppatz farm. There was a smaller school closer but Lesley remembers “mother was anxious that her children would have the best education available, and this was in the more competitive environment of the town school”.
In time most of the Huppatz children attended Riverton High School. In Zelma’s second year she was awarded ‘The Good Influence’ prize. As the name suggests it was for the student who had the best influence on others in the school.
the significance of this, in view of the characteristic of quiet leadership which my sister demonstrated in her chosen career” – Lesley Branson (sister of Zelma)
After gaining her Intermediate Certificate Zelma went to help out at the Hannaford household. Clive Hannaford was a member of Parliament and his wife had been a nurse. It was through her interest and influence that Zelma chose to train as a nurse.
Early Nursing Career
Zelma was 22 years old when she left Riverton to begin training at the Adelaide Hospital. Nurses were known by their surnames, often abbreviated by their close associates, and it was at this time that Zelma gained the nickname of “Hup”.
In March 1932, having completed her training Zelma Huppatz received a temporary appointment on the trained nursing staff at the Adelaide Hospital in the Isolation Ward. When this ward was closed and the patients transferred tot the new Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital at Northfield, she was seconded to the staff at Northfield to assist in the settling in process.
She became a permanent member of the Adelaide Hospital staff in January 1934. In June 2935 she was appointed as sister in charge of Alexandra Ward, which was an all female medical ward.
War Service
Along with other Adelaide Hospital colleagues Zelma joined the Army Reserve in 1938. She continued in her role in Alexandra Ward until she was called up for military service in December 1939. Her status upon entering the army was senior sister (it was not until 1943 when they were commissioned officers). Zelma Huppatz along with the 12 nurses were called up from South Australia in February 1940 for the Middle East. They were all stationed to 2/2 Australian General Hospital (AGH) at El Kantara, on the banks of the Suez Canal.
Whilst at Kantara, Zelma was able to help younger nurses in their adjustment to the difficult conditions. It was her previous nursing experience, and her diplomacy that made her suitable to be attached to various British hospitals on the war front. When Japan entered the war at the end of 1941 Australian forces were needed in the south pacific, so the 2/2 AGH returned to Australia.
Zelma was then appointed matron of the 101 AGH in Katherine, Northern Territory, with the rank of Major. It was here that she cared for troops from Darwin and the surrounding areas. She was later posted to 121 AGH at Northfield, an outer suburb of Adelaide (the 121 AGH was based at the Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital where Zelma had previously worked). It was from this posting that she was transferred to be in charge of nursing at the Daws Road Rehabilitation Hospital (now commonly known as “The Repat”) in 1945 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. She remained in this post until her discharge from the army in 1946.
Later Nursing Career
On 28th September 1946 Zelma Huppatz resumed nursing duties at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (Royal prefix added in 1939), as Assistant Matron. Miss Jessie Maxfield, who had been Matron during the previous three years, had recently retires, and Kathleen Scrymgour had been appointed Matron. Miss Scrymgour and Zelma worked together as an administrative team for 9 years. The title of Assistant Matron changed to Deputy Matron in 1954.
Miss Scrymgour played an important role in the establishment of the College of Nursing, which in 1950 took its first students for post graduate courses in nursing administration, teaching and ward management. Zelma Huppatz was one of three South Australians to study at the college (in Melbourne) in its first year. She graduated at the end of the year with a Diploma in Nursing Administration. Three years later she applied for and was accepted as a Fellow of the College.
In 1955 Miss Scrymgour retired and Zelma Huppatz succeeded her as Matron of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. As a nursing administrator she was widely respected by nurses, doctors and other hospital staff. It was at this time there were advances in technology which prompted changes in staffing and nursing education. She encouraged any innovative ideas that charge nurses or educators put forward. She also kept abreast of changes in educational programmes and introduced new procedures.
In the early 1960s there were changes coming from the English system of measurement to the metric system. It was the role of the Tutor Sister, with the help from the Teachers’ Training College, to implement a course in arithmetic for nurses. Matron Huppatz attended all sessions, and completed the homework set for each class.
1957 saw Zelma Huppatz represent South Australian nurses on the council of the College of Nursing (Australia). In 1959 she was elected as President of this College, and presided at the annual meeting held in Adelaide in 1960. She had been a member of the council of the Australian Trained Nurses Association (SA Branch) since 1947, and in 1964, by which time it had changed its name to the Australian Nursing Federation, she was State President. In her capacity as President she was a delegate to the Federal council of the ANF. She was also a member of the SA Branch of the Florence Nightingale Memorial Committee, which was part of a national organisation that promoted nursing education. Miss Huppatz was also an active member of the Returned Sisters sub-branch of the Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL).
Zelma Huppatz was honoured in 1963 with the award of the Florence Nightingale Medal, by the International Committee of the Red Cross Society. This is considered the highest distinction in the nursing profession. It is awarded on the basis of exceptional devotion to the wounded or sick in times of war and peace.
Miss Zelma Huppatz was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1966 Queen’s Birthday honours for her dedication to nursing and nursing education.
Retirement
Matron Huppatz retired from the Royal Adelaide Hospital in July 1966, but remained active in nursing affairs for several years. During this time she was a member of the board of management of the Home for Incurables (later renamed the Julia Farr Centre). She also had time to enjoy her other passions such as gardening, visiting family, enjoying music, theatre and ballet.
Years after her retirement her health started to decline. After she recovered from a stroke she was well enough to travel to South Africa, England and Europe.
I am personally very conscious that my years of nursing have been enriched throughout by the companionship of loyal friends and staff, the specific nature of our professional duties forges strong bonds of friendship” – Zelma Huppatz
Death
Miss Rosa Zelma Huppatz passed away at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on 13th December 1982. Having passed away at the hospital where she spent most of her nursing years.
Burial
Zelma is buried at Peters Hill Huppatz Lutheran Cemetery, 6km east of Riverton, often referred to as Huppatz Cemetery. The cemetery contains 16 plots and the majority are Huppatz family including Zelma’s parents and brother Frederick. Other family members are buried at nearby Saddleworth.
Written by Kellie Branson, CALHN Health Museum
