Rose Macanene, was born in Kiama in 1878, the daughter of Henry and Catherine Macanene. Both Rose and her sister Kathaline were nurses, with Rose completing her training at Orange District Hospital. Following her enlistment in September 1916 Rose served in England, Egypt and France, where she nursed in Rouen, Wimereux and Abbéville.
She remained in France for a while after the cessation of hostilities then signed up for a three-month course at the British School of Cookery in Regent Street, London, where she learnt the finer points of cookery, laundry work and housecraft. Nurse Macanene returned Australia in February 1920.
* Edwards, Elisabeth 2011, In sickness and in health: how medicine helped shape Orange’s history, Orange City Council, Orange, NSW
