Child Health Clinic

Parent Place or Precinct

18540 Melvista Park

Values

The place is a good example of a domestic scale building in the Inter-war Mediterranean style.

The place is representative of the establishment and subsequent growth of the Infant Health Association of Western Australia, which was formed in 1923 as a direct result of the need for maternal and infant welfare services in the State.

The place has high social significance to the nurses and the mothers and children who have benefited of services provided at the place since 1937.

The place has associations with the architectural firm of W. G. Bennett.

The place is representative of child health clinics constructed from the 1920s up to the 1950s.

Physical Description

The place is in a parkland setting (Melvista Park) on the edge of a golf course and playing fields. The building is a brick and tile domestic style clinic in the Inter-war Mediterranean style. The main roof is pitched with gables with cornices and gutter returns. There are porches to the north, south and east sides. The northern porch has been enclosed with aluminium framed windows. Other windows are timber framed multi-pane casement windows.

History

Interest in mother and child health dates from the turn of the twentieth century when there was much concern about the high levels of maternal and infant mortality. Lack of trained midwives and poor maternal practices were blamed for these high rates and the Public Health Department attempted to counteract this through the establishment of the Midwives Registration Board and the employment of visiting nurses who could help ‘train’ mothers in infant health care. Yet, there was still no real provision of child health services as such. The Silver Chain Nursing Association established rooms in Kalgoorlie in 1920 and a pilot infant health clinic was introduced to Perth by the Children’s Protection Society at approximately the same time, however it was recognised that a state-wide infant welfare service was needed. As a result of a conference held in 1922 at the instigation of the Children’s Protection Society, the Infant Health Association of Western Australia was formed in 1923 to work in conjunction with the Public Health Department. In this year, three clinics with full time nurses began to operate in the Perth area and, in 1924, two more clinics were started in Fremantle and Northam. By 1 July 1945, when the State Government took over responsibility of nurses’ salaries and travelling expenses, there were 31 infant health centres and 72 sub-centres.

In July 1936, the Town Planning Commission accepted a proposal made by the Nedlands Road Board that an infant health centre be developed at Melvista Park. On behalf of the Nedlands branch of the Infant Health Association, the Road Board called for tenders for the construction of the new clinic. The architect was asked to review his plans for the building due to high tender prices and lack of funds. The Road Board itself contributed £300 towards the cost. Architect of the project was W. G. Bennett.

The ‘Nedlands Baby Clinic’ was opened by Lady Mitchell on 17 July 1937.

Minor alterations appear to have been carried out to the building in 1951 and 1981.

By the late 1990s, the child health centre was also in operation as a playgroup.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- High
Authenticity- Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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