Children, mothers, health professionals and local community members gathered on Thursday to celebrate all that has been achieved in 100 years of child and family health in the state.
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Around 50 people attended the centenary celebration at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre (YACC) which also paid tribute to the nearly 86 years of family health care in Forbes.
As well as a morning tea, those who attended were able to view old newspaper clippings and articles brought in by the Forbes Family History Group that documented the opening of the first Baby Health Clinic in 1929.
The Forbes Museum also brought in a collection of artifacts and memorabilia such as an old set of scales, baby bottles and children’s clothing, some of which dated back to 1880.
Children were treated to variety of fun activities and craft games and a number of speeches were given discussing the history and role of child and family health care.
Forbes Community Health child and family health nurse Jane O’Malley said that the celebration was enriched by the many people who contributed to the day.
“It was a great celebration of our 100 years,” she said.
“We’d like to thank Maree Yapp from Schools as Community Centres and Natalie Walker from the YACC for supplying morning tea, the beautiful cake and free activities for the children.
“We’d also like to thank the Forbes Family History Group, the Forbes Museum, Jean Sweeney who provided a four page letter of her reflections on baby health nurses and the playgroup NSW Thursday group.”
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History of child and family care in Forbes
The first Baby Health Clinic in Forbes was opened by the CWA in 1929 between the Forbes Post Office and the Forbes Advocate.
At this time there were 80 other centres in NSW, with the first opening in 1915.
In 1915, 200 out of 1000 children died before they were 12 months old but when the Forbes centre was officially opened in 1930, that figure had already improved to 50 out of every 1000.
The local clinic was supported by the Forbes CWA and the first baby health nurse was Sister Darragh.
In 1953, a new Baby Health Clinic was built next to the CWA Hall and it was reported that the clinic was planned to open earlier, but was delayed by World War II.
In 1988 the clinic moved from Lachlan Street to Ford House on the corner of Elgin Street and Church Street where it stands today.
The clinic will move into the refurbished facility as part of Lachlan Health Service project in the near future.
