On this day (6th June) 1887, Annie was visiting Adelaide, Australia, during “The Last Voyage”. In her book, of the same name, she describes a busy morning working on her Ambulance paper (and rising early to do so) but struggling with her arm. The paper was to be presented after lunch as a speaker at a meeting.

After breakfast she is met by Sir Thomas Elder (among others) at the Zoological Gardens, before visiting the Botanical Gardens. Most delighted to learn of the collections, she describes particular interest in the eucalypti. Annie attended the Ambulance Meeting after lunch (meal times were always recorded!), where she presented her paper. It is understood to have been a successful meeting and was followed by a dinner party at Government House with a “small reception and some nice music” (from ‘The Last Voyage”).

From St John’s Ambulance “history women”, the link between them and this trip to Australia is clear:

“Her book, The Last Voyage, is of particular interest in St John Ambulance history in Australia because after arriving at Albany in Western Australia in May 1887, the Sunbeam spent fully four months in Australian waters, visiting many towns and cities. In most of the places the Brasseys visited Annie sought to arouse interest in St John Ambulance first aid training. In two of the capital cities, Sydney and Brisbane, she provided the impetus for establishing local St John Ambulance centres.” (cited from St Johns History Women, written by Ian Howie Willis, 2010).

Annie received her first aid certificate in 1877 and was committed to others being trained as well following her own experiences:

“Her interest in first aid had been aroused after recovering from burns when her crinolined skirt had set fire when she had stood too close to a naked flame. She insisted on her servants being trained in first aid; and she organised first aid classes in all the villages for miles around ‘Normanhurst’. She also raised money for St John Ambulance by throwing the Sunbeam open to visitors; and while abroad she promoted St John Ambulance wherever she went.” (Howie Willis, 2010)

I am intrigued by the continuing threads running through my research of Annie and her legacy around the world.