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Interviewee

Enid (Mathie) McCrohon

Place Recorded

Coffs Harbour-NSW

Interviewer

Lesley Gibbs

Collection

Agency

Yarrila Arts & Museum (YAM)

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Enid McCrohon Interview

Details

IntervieweeEnid (Mathie) McCrohonInterview Date14 October 1986Place RecordedCoffs Harbour-NSWDuration58m27sAccession NumberLS2020.1.88Credit LineCoffs Harbour City Council, 1988.

More Information

Description

Mrs McCrohon was the baby health care nurse for the Coffs Harbour area. The job also required that she travelled to Bellingen and Dorrigo.

InterviewerLesley GibbsCollectionYAM Museum CollectionVoice of Time oral history projectAgencyYarrila Arts & Museum (YAM)SummaryStandard disclaimer. Visit the 'Voice of Time' web site to read or listen to the disclaimer. Enid was born in Coffs Harbour in 1914 -- She went to school in Coffs Harbour and later Upper Orara Public School -- Enid was an only child and her father was a carpenter -- She used to go to school everyday on her little pony, Toby. It was a happy time in her life -- She commenced her training as a nurse in 1937 after her high school days in Grafton -- Through the four-year course at Croydon Hospital the wages were only 17 shillings for a 42 hour week -- She did general training at Croydon Hospital then went on to King George V to study obstetrics. There was no pay whilst training at King George V -- When her parents became ill, Enid joined the baby health care service and took a country posting in Coffs Harbour -- Post depression financial problems -- The secrets of success were the love of people and the job -- The changes in the town and the workload -- Retirement and world tour. She was married in 1970 to a man from Cessnock -- Different characters of the town. One had a free ride home with the fire brigade -- A light-hearted era when Coffs Harbour was still a small country town -- Social workers helped cope through the depression -- The neglected children of the Coffs Harbour area -- Dr Margaret Harper started the baby health care centres in the early 1920s based on the New Zealand method -- Government assistance to single parent families has always been inadequate. Many children were put into institutions. Enid had to look after five small children whilst a court decision was made -- The help given to unmarried mothers -- The average in the area was five children a year adopted out. Many people were anxious for the babies to be allowed to stay with them -- One of the saddest parts of the job was to help decide about the children -- Admitting small children to hospital under her name whilst waiting adoption proceedings to go through. It was a very sad time until the final papers went through -- Helping mothers learn about babies. Welfare gave them three chances. They were always thoughtful and care for the child was number one priority -- The child of today is better cared for. The travel involved with the job. Sometimes the roads were blocked by floodwaters -- Remembering people's names was an important part of the job -- The morning the lions escaped in Coffs Harbour -- The children Enid has attended who have become famous -- Growth changes and development of children over the years. Childhood diseases...even mothers died. Surgery for children -- Better attention is given today because of better transportation and cooperation -- The great work done by Matron De Satge -- Travelling to work by public transport -- At the end of training for four certificates in nursing, Enid's fortnightly wage was 8 pounds, 7 shillings and 6 pence -- CWA started the first baby health centre in the early 1930s in High Street, Coffs Harbour. Working in Hurstville and other city baby health centres gave her work a great foundation -- The difference between city and country children -- Leukaemia in children -- Keeping the donation box chained to the floor -- The gypsies in the area. A good lock helped there. Identifying them on sight. Some of the tricks they would do to get your attention -- Delivering a baby on the waiting room floor -- Visits from babies of the past -- Baptising sick babies -- One interview was always held in the company of a shotgun -- The birthday cake wrapped in newspaper a special treat. The society doctor attended patients by the light of a burning rag -- Social benefits may have helped the underdog. How people managed before the housing commission -- Working in association with the child welfare, learning to assess a situation and keeping a network of foster homes at call -- Great help was given to underprivileged children by church and medical people. Working with Aboriginal children... both learning to trust and accept was a big step forward -- Young teenage mothers, always a sad situation -- Great support from Father McEvoy. It is very important for people in distress to have someone to talk to -- Always hard for young mothers to face up to defects in their small children. Actually, there are more birth problems nowadays. The month long holiday was always welcome at the end of the year -- The important part to remember about the job was to leave it at 5pm every afternoon, then start fresh in the morning -- There are many children named Enid Jane in the area. Many friends have been made through the job...even now her babies visit -- The heartbreak of the unwed mother. One girl was abandoned by her family. The trouble that followed -- Adoptive parents sometimes had children of their own later -- Children who want to trace their natural parents...each case should be taken on its own merit.

Classification

SubjectsAdoptionIll treatment of childrenSchoolsChildren and educationAboriginal AustraliansGreat DepressionRemarkable charactersSense of communitySpiritual valuesEntertainment and community lifeSingle-parent familiesSocial issuesHome and family lifeShippingTransport and communicationsAccidents and natural disastersNursesUrban communityLanguageEnglish