I was doing a bit of research into Child and Family Health Services in Australia and accidentally came across the fact, that Alexandria (where I live and work) was the start of Child and Family Health Services in Australia.

The first baby health clinic was established in August 1914 at 22 and 22a Henderson Road. This was not just New South Wales's first baby clinic BUT THE VERY FIRST IN AUSTRALIA!

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/aboutsydney/documents/history/GreenSquare/HistoriesofGreenSquare.pdf

If you read the info on the above link it's in chapter 11, pages 89-96.

It makes for fascinating reading.

The Dept of Health bought residential houses to use as baby health clinics to make them more welcoming and these houses are still standing today, but no longer function as The Baby Clinic. They've since moved and are now at Alexandria Park School in the Community Centre.



 

 

 

 

 

They were so popular that they had to buy the house next door and then eventually move to a purpose built site.

It makes it all the more fascinating for me because my new Baby Massage and Parenting Group venue is just along the road at 118 Henderson Road (MG Pilates) http://www.mgpilates.com/ 

What would those nurses in 1914 of made of us massaging our babies in 2012, nearly 100 years later!?



 

 

 

 

 

And here it is today...