W.D.F.U. REST HOME

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 121, 15 February 1941, Page 6

W.D.F.U. REST HOME

Haven For Tired Country

Women

FUNDS NEEDED TO CARRY ON An interesting event in the history of Ihe Women's Division of the !• armors Union shortly to take place wi 11 be the celebration of the second birthday 01 ■■nniversarv of the opening of the W.d. Home al Awapnni. Palmerston N The place has an interesting record. After the 1914-18 war the I’fbPerty boii'dit by the trustees ot Hock llou. t. ■icliUL’ on behalf of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Acknowledgment 01 Debt te British Seamen Fund, and it was for ni-inv years known as (ails I lock House As time went on the function for which Flock House ceased, and thus it was that at the end o” 1938 the offer came to the Womens Division from the trustees, the ofter to hand over the house and tour aciesof land to establish a rest and Holiday house for countrywomen. The home is a comfortable residenc , of some 20 rooms, set in beautitugrounds, the whole surroundings being delightful. Many difficulties had to be faced concerning the maintenance this home, as with the declaration of war following so shortly .liter he oHicial taking over, branches of the division who had so willingly promised their financial backing, found them selves plunged into war activities w Inc drained the energies of members and left purses slender. Xevei tlieless, through the voluntary contributions received a margin for philanthropic gestures has been possible, as it is an important feature of the rest homo scheme that no countrywoman needing rest and change is penalized because of her inability to pay the full fees. As wit .the division’s emergency housekeeping scheme, members like to feel that they are providing the means for women-.ess fortunate than themselves to benefit. The rest home serves a dual purpose Attached to the domestic staff aie Maori girls in training. These girls are kept on the home staff under the personal supervision of the matron lor at least six months. At the end ot ha time, if they have responded well o raining, they arc placed in homes of division members to get experience in certain aspects of home , lna ‘ ia ’ that can be better given in a P ll home than in an institution. The JS 01 Mining in two K”>.< J which trainees are under the ju ilsdic tion of the division, and cared for n every possible way. The rest home is their “home,” to which they can always The garden party advertised e" ‘ l “ other page is the first public aPP«<- that has been made for funds, aml theie, s no doubt that many, appreciat ug the work of the division through the rest home and the emergency housekeeping scheme, will be interested to show their practical sympathy ami support.