Europa on Alma

15/07/2025

It's National Diabetes Week this week and to mark the occasion, Bolton Clarke Research Institute Senior Research Fellow Dr Rajna Ogrin has been chatting with Diabetes Victoria about foot health.
If you have diabetes, taking care of your feet is really important. High blood sugar can affect your nerves and blood flow, which means you might not feel injuries and they may take longer to heal. This can lead to serious problems like ulcers or even amputations—but the good news is most of these can be prevented!
Top tips for keeping your feet healthy include:
* Check your feet every day – Look for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling. Use a mirror or ask someone to help if you can’t see well.
* Wash and dry your feet daily – Especially between your toes. Keep your skin soft with moisturiser (but not between the toes).
* Trim your nails carefully – Or ask a podiatrist to help.
* Wear comfortable shoes and socks – Avoid tight shoes or seams that rub.
* Never walk barefoot – Even at home.
* See a podiatrist regularly – They can spot problems early and help you manage them.
* Get help quickly – If you notice anything unusual, don’t wait.
To hear Rajna's webinar, visit https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/annual-cycle-of-care-looking-after-your-foot-health/

07/07/2025

Less than two months before the outbreak of World War II, Brisbane Boer War veteran Mr G. M Money became the first resident at Kingshome, our first veterans home, on 8 July, 1938. The Telegraph published this photograph to mark the occasion.

03/07/2025

Move over Thursday Murder Club, Europa on Alma hosted 85 lovers of crime fiction for a Sisters in Crime event recently, showcasing authors Cassie Hamer (The Stranger at the Table) and Darcy Tindale (Burning Mountain) in conversation with fellow author Tania Chandler.

02/07/2025

On 28 June 1880, Victorian police captured Ned Kelly after the siege at Glenrowan. Five years later, we had our beginnings when Lady Janet Clarke was among prominent Victorians who came together to establish Australia's first home nursing service. Watch this video from the State Library of Victoria to learn about the incredible woman, our namesake, who connects these two events.

How did Ned Kelly’s armour end up on display in the mansion of Janet Lady Clarke … the influential Melbourne woman behind The Ashes? If you require a descrip...

17/06/2025

Queensland Governor Sir Leslie Wilson officially opens Kingshome, Queensland’s first war veterans home, on 18 June 1938. At around the same time, the District Nurses welcome first patients to their new After Care Home in Collingwood. The home was built to alleviate an overburdened hospital system that meant many patients had to be discharged days or weeks before they were ready to leave.

24/04/2025

On this day in 1914, then Lt Colonel William Kinsey Bolton led Australia’s 8th Battalion in the landing at Anzac Cove. Back at home he advocated for establishment of veterans’ homes. In Brisbane, this saw our first homes provided for veterans and wartime nurses with generous community support. Today we continue to support veterans through our services and work including the Veteran Family Mental Wellbeing Series.

07/03/2025

Our namesake, Lady Janet Clarke, was one of our earliest leaders. A driving force behind the society’s work from its earliest days, she soon became President and would hold the role until 1908, later being named a Life Governor. She approached community care with the same gusto and hands-on approach she applied to her many fundraising endeavours, opening up her home for everything from soup kitchens to cake drives and accompanying nurses on home visits. A staunch advocate, Lady Clarke also paid a subscription to Mullens’ Circulating Library so the nurses could continue to learn and develop professionally.

07/03/2025

In the approach to International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the initiative and purpose of all the incredible women who have shaped us over the past 140 years into who we are today. Pattie Deakin, pictured here with her husband, Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, accompanied our early nurses on their rounds as a trained almoner, checking on the welfare of patients. She made house calls for 25 years, even as she ascended to the role of vice-president, and used her national profile to lobby the government on issues related to women and children.

23/02/2025

Finding new ways to do things has helped us keep meeting people’s changing needs. This included the shift from making visits on foot or by tram to riding bikes and driving cars. Today, our teams cover 16.5 million kilometres every year and knock on more than 10,900 doors every day.

16/02/2025

Our organisation had its beginnings on this day in 1885. We’ve come a long way and this year, we’re celebrating 140 years of helping people live and age positively.

22/12/2024

With only two sleeps to go until Christmas, we would like to wish all Bolton Clarke residents, clients, family and friends a wonderful and safe holiday season full of joy! 🎄

16/12/2024

With parts of Australia experiencing heat wave conditions this week, Bolton Clarke RN Talitha Simoes has shared some timely tips for staying safe in summer.
Staying safe in summer | Bolton Clarke