Pioneering maternal health nurses launch celebrations
The pioneering roles of Horsham’s early maternal and child health nurses will be the focus of celebrations marking one year since Horsham’s Kalkee Road Children’s and Community Hub opened its doors.
Inez Wilson, Alma Clare Noske and Coo Duncan Higginson were all major contributors in the foundation of maternal and child health services in Horsham.
The women each have a room named in their honour at the community hub and their legacies will be the subject of a morning tea on Friday at 10am.
Recollections and items such as photographs gathered on Friday will form part of an official children’s hub one-year celebration on February 15.
Horsham Rural City Council Community Services and Emergency manager Mandi Stewart encouraged anybody with stories to share or an interest in the nurses or the history of maternal and child health in Horsham to attend Friday’s event.
“We have had support to locate relatives of all three women and some have been able to provide photos, but more knowledge is sought on their careers and lives,” Ms Stewart said.
“Their careers had a positive impact on so many Horsham families.”
Nurse Coo Duncan Higginson, a First World War servicewoman, was a key figure in the establishment of Horsham’s first baby health centre in 1936. Infant numbers attending increased from 39 to 164 in her first year.
Advice to mothers covered diet, digestion and general health precautions.
Ms Higginson also arranged regular testing of the city’s milk supply at Horsham butter factory to ensure it was free of the tuberculosis virus.
Alma Clare Noske worked at the Roberts Avenue Horsham Infant Welfare Centre from 1942 until her death in a car accident in 1957.
Long-time Horsham resident Inez Wilson, a Second World War nurse, took the reins and forged an esteemed 20-year career before her retirement in 1976.
Anyone keen to attend Friday’s morning tea or contribute photos or knowledge can call Ms Stewart on 5382 9747 or email Mandi.stewart@hrcc.vic.gov. au.