OAMARU PLUNKET SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 22328, 2 May 1936, Page 26

OAMARU PLUNKET SOCIETY

VISIT OF LADY SIDEY Yesterday was a red-letter day for the Oamaru Plunket Society by reason of the visit of Lady Sidcy from Dunedin. The occasion was made all the more interesting as it marked tho_ opening function of the photographic exhibition of pictures of Plunket children in the district. The exhibition was held in Messrs Bulleid’s shop, and was officially opened by Lady Sidey in the presence of a largo gathering ofi the public. In introducing Lady Sidey, the President of the Oamaru branch (Mrs T. A. Munro) said she was pleased to see so many present, and on behalf of the Oamaru members, extended a welcome to all. Mrs Munro explained that the object of the function was to raise They had two Plunket nurses, a town nurse and a country nurse. The work was considerable, and botli were kept busy. The town nurse went about her work on a bicycle, but the country nurse had a car, and her district was from Herbert in the south to Omarama and Benmore in the north. The average mileage for the month was about 700 miles. This did not include mileage above the Waitaki hydro. For several years the work at the Waitaki hydro had been heavy. At the Kurow Hospital about 300 births were registered for the period, and the Plunket nurse had as many as 50 babies under supervision for over two years. 'The numbers, however, gradually decreased as the work at the hydro was brought to a close. Mrs Munro conveyed thanks to Mr Findlay for the use of his premises, and said it gave her great pleasure to announce that Mr Findlay’s daughter had passed her Karitane examination in Dunedin with the highest marks in the Dominion. The speaker went on to say that Lady Sidey was at present acting Dominion president of the Plunket Society. The late Sir Thomas Sidey had been a strong supporter of the society, and gave great assistance to Sir Truby King in the early days of the work.

Lady Sidey, in officially opening the exhibition, said sho appreciated the honour conferred upon her by the Oamaru branch in asking her to open its exhibition. She explained that she had known Mrs Munro for a number of years, having worked together on the Dominion Council. She congratulated the Oamaru members on the great work they were accomplishing in the district, and stated that the responsibility rested on the public, and especially on those who had benefited by the nurse’s services, to interest themselves in the work and support the society wholeheartedly in its efforts. Lady Sidey then went on to explain the part the Government played in helping to maintain the society and the work that was required of the branches. Sir Truby King’s aim was “ to keep well babies well,” and she went on to remind her hearers of Sir Truby’s motto: “It is better to put np a fence at the top of-a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.” Sir Truby King's seaside residence was made into the first baby hospital, and from there the babies were taken in 1907 to Anderson’s Bay, Dunedin, to the present hospital, which was donated by Mr Wo]f Harris, and which was now known under the name of the Truby King-Harris Hospital. The photographs displayed were, sho considered, an outward indication of the valuable work done by the Oamaru branch. Lady Sidey then declared the exhibition open. Lady Sidey was the recipient of beautiful bouquets from the town and country districts, - the presentations being made by Noeline Denford and Margaret Howell respectively. Thanks and appreciation were conveyed to Lady Sidey by Mrs M'Leod.