Maternal and Child Welfare Clinic, 16 Wharf Street, Ipswich

The Ipswich Baby Clinic in Wharf Street was opened by the Home Secretary, Mr. James Stopford on Monday, 10th December 1923. Nurse Perry Andrews was in charge of the clinic, Nurse Herd was her assistant and Doctor G. H. Brandis was the honorary visiting medical officer. "The Ipswich clinic was part of a scheme which the Government intended to extend to various parts of the State." 

These clinics were part of a Government scheme to be rolled out throughout Queensland. Ten regional clinics built to a standard plan produced by the Department of Works, were built at at Rockhampton, Townsville (demolished ca1975), Ipswich, Toowoomba, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gympie, Mackay, Charters Towers and Warwick.

Flour clinics opened in Queensland in 1923, two in 1924, three in 1926 and one in 1930. Opening dates shown below:

• Rockhampton - 27th October 1923
• Ipswich and Townsville - 10th December 1923
• Toowoomba - 15 December 1923
• Maryborough - September 1924
• Bundaberg - 9 November 1924
• Gympie - 24 April 1926
• Mackay - May 1926
• Charters Towers - by July 1926
• Warwick - February 1930

It was considered that it was "the duty of the State to prevent the wastage in child life that had gone on unchecked for generations past. Side by side with the establishment of baby clinics, where mothers could obtain expert advice, where young mothers could obtain the assistance of trained and skilled nurses and medical men in the care of their infants, the Government was causing maternity wards to be erected in various parts of the State, more particularly in those far distant outback places where motherhood was an ordeal in the past."

A 1930 newspaper article in the Queensland Times described the 1923 baby clinic as follows:

"Before entering, one is confronted with a modern structure of reinforced cement, surrounded with lawns and, in the front, a rose garden which is carefully tended - just the atmosphere of home. Reaching the front door one finds oneself entering a large hall from which are doorways leading into the consulting room, weighing room, rest room (where treatment is given), and a private room for the use of those in charge. A well-equipped kitchen and breakfast room combined with a bath-room across the passage, are at the rear of the building. Door knobs are polished to their highest lustre, and the floors, walls, indeed the whole place, is the acme of cleanliness."

In September 1953, modern features were being added to the clinic in the form of a new wing.  The local newspaper wrote "The new brick building will consist of the clinic, doctor's room, and lavatories, with a waiting porch at the front. The new wing will contain about 400 sq. ft. of floor space. There will be a plate glass front to the building, which will have concrete floors covered with green marbled linoleum. The ceilings will be of caneite, and will have slag-wool packing to absorb noise. Hopper-type windows will be used to allow a maximum of light to enter the building." 

Ipswich Baby Clinic Plan, 1923. Queensland Times, Sat 3 March 1923, p5