The Carlisle River community in the Colac Otway Shire celebrated 50 years of localised maternal and child health services in November.
Maternal and child health services first commenced in Carlisle River in 1959, with the maternal and child health nurse visiting mothers in their homes. An official centre was opened at the Carlisle River Hall in 1961.
During the 1970s a playgroup was introduced, and in 1983 the playgroup joined the Victorian Playgroup Association.
Carlisle River parent Emma Ferrari said a small committee of mothers had fundraised for several years to host the 50th anniversary celebration, where former users of the Carlisle River Infant Welfare Service, as well as maternal and child health nurses, gathered at the Carlisle River Hall.
“It was a great reunion of the parents, children and nurses who have used the service over the 50 years,” she said. “Everybody who has been involved with the service was invited to attend the event.”
Colac Otway Shire Council’s Health and Community Services Manager Greg Fletcher said 50 years of service to a small community such as Carlisle River was a significant milestone.
At Carlisle River, a monthly playgroup session coincides with a visit from a maternal and child health nurse. This model also exists in nearby Beeac and Lavers Hill.
Mr Fletcher commented that the community-based model had many merits: “Combining the maternal and child health service with a program like playgroup enables families to get together on a regular basis for children in their early years to have play and social time.
“At the same time maternal and child health nurses are able to carry out their health and developmental monitoring.
“It’s also a great opportunity for parents to socialise and get to know other people in their community.”
