Driving progress: Frank’s role in shaping modern nursing in Australia
Calm and considered, with a strong moral compass and a willingness to speak up against injustices, Resthaven Fulham Gardens ‘Leisure Court’ Retirement Living resident Mr Frank Bevan is an advocate you want in your corner.
Born in 1935, the same year as Resthaven, and celebrating his 90th birthday in March this year, Frank was the Registrar (CEO) of the Nurses Board of South Australia from 1969 until his retirement in 1991. In this role, he transformed the working conditions and career pathways of nurses, both locally and nationally.
‘When I started with the Board, all training of nurses was done in hospitals,’ Frank says. ‘The training was regulated, but nursing staff were calling for their studies to be moved into the higher education sphere.’
To make this change, Frank helped write a new act for parliament that offered more flexibility for nurses, improved their levels of competency, and highlighted career pathways through incremental training and education. Further, because nursing representative bodies were run independently in each state and territory, a nurse living on the border of South Australia and Victoria (and wanting to work in both states) required two registrations.
Frank highlighted this concern, and in the last few months of his tenure, he managed to convince the appropriate authorities to examine the feasibility of a national system of registration.
‘Everyone agreed, but we needed someone to run the project,’ Frank says. ‘All eyes turned to me as someone who “had the time in retirement”. So, I became the Project Officer of this group and managed it for three years.’
As a result of Frank’s work, there is now a national system of registration through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
‘It was quite satisfying to see these changes come to fruition,’ Frank says.
Early life
Frank was born at Warraweena Hospital, Mile End, which later became Thebarton Community Hospital. He attended CBC College, completing his Leaving Honours (Year 12) and then studied economics and business administration at the University of Adelaide.
When he was seven years old, Frank suffered an infection in his left leg and hip, and as a result, he spent 12 months in the Adelaide Children’s Hospital undergoing treatment. Despite ongoing concerns and challenges with the leg, Frank was a keen sportsman, and he played cricket in the Adelaide and Suburban Association, as well as for his school. He also joined the Thebarton Catholic Young Men’s Society (CYMS) and held numerous positions there, including President, Secretary and Treasurer.
‘It was a strong community,’ Frank says. ‘And even now I occasionally see people who remember me from those days.’
Frank began his career in the public service at the Engineering and Water Supply Department (E&WS), before gaining promotions through the department and climbing the corporate ladder in administrative and management roles. The Nurses Board was a continuation of this career progression.
Frank met his wife-to-be, Mary, at the church where she played tennis.
‘She was the number one female tennis player at the club,’ Frank says. ‘We met there and the relationship just progressed.’
The pair was married on 21 October 1961. They moved to Lockleys and became early members of the Lockleys Catholic Parish. The couple had three boys between 1964 and 1967.
‘They kept us on our toes,’ Frank says.
The boys were interested in playing baseball, so they family joined the Henley and Grange Baseball Club. As is Frank’s way, he was soon on the committee and was then elected as President of the club. 45 years later he remains a vibrant part of the club community and has been made a Life Member. It was here that he celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year.
Warmer destinations
In 1998, Frank and Mary moved to Queensland to enjoy the warmer climate.
‘I found the warmer weather helped my leg and my mobility,’ Frank says.
While there, Frank became involved with the Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre, a government-funded centre that provided assistance and support of all kinds to residents.
‘I volunteered with them and became an elected member of the Management Committee, and Treasurer for over 15 years,’ Frank says. ‘I helped people with their tax returns and assisted where I could. I enjoyed helping other people, especially where I felt I could make a difference.’
Frank and Mary holidayed extensively, visiting the west coast of America, as well as Fiji, Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Phuket. Sadly, Mary became very ill, and the couple returned to South Australia in 2014 to be closer to family. Mary died early in 2015.
Now, living at Resthaven’s Fulham Gardens ‘Leisure Court’ village, Frank continues to live an active and community-focused life. He has been the President of the Residents’ Committee and enjoys holding a monthly trivia quiz for residents to take part in.
‘I’ve always believed in perseverance, and I don’t like to see injustice being done in any area,’ Frank says.
Frank says the biggest lesson he has learnt in life is to ‘Never give up, and don’t trust fools’. His advice for others is to ‘Show respect and persist in your ambitions. Be prepared to assist others – it gladdens the heart’.
Frank has three sons, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Thank you for sharing your story, Frank!
Frank shares his birth year with Resthaven – celebrating 90 years in 2025! We are honouring those turning 90 in our 90th year with a series of articles showcasing their stories – building a picture of life in South Australia over the decades.