The Tresillian Story

Tresillian has a colourful and fascinating history dating back to 1918.
The Royal Society for the Welfare of Mothers and Babies,(the Society) now commonly called Tresillian Family Care Centres, was formed in 1918 to co-ordinate early childhood and maternal services in New South Wales.

The Society was formed in response to the high death rate of children under the age of five years. During the First World War about 63,000 Australian servicemen lost their lives fighting overseas, while in Australia about 70,000 children under the age of five lost their lives through poverty, disease and lack of hygiene.

The Society initially responded to the problem at home with a community education program for parents of small children.

The Society’s other aims as outlined in the 1920-21 annual report, were:

  • To Save Life.
  • To co-ordinate all agencies dealing with mothers and babies.
  • To ensure proper Nursing Conditions to every mother prior and subsequent to Childbirth
  • To establish Welfare Centres and Committees in the metropolis and country.
  • To establish rest Homes for Mothers
  • To establish a Corps of Mothers’ Aids
  • To care for and bring under supervision all children up to school age.
  • To provide certified and humanised milk, and ice

Historical

In 1921, the first, ‘Tresillian’, was opened at Shaw Street Petersham in Sydney. Dr Margaret Harper, the first Medical Director established an “Infant Welfare Training” School to educate Baby Health Centre nurses, so they could be more effective in helping parents address basic problems such as a lack of hygiene and immunisation programs.

The building at Petersham had been named “Tresillian” by the previous owners who originated from the village of “Tresillian” in Cornwall, England. From that moment on, the Royal Society for the Welfare of Mothers and Babies was often referred to as “Tresillian” and now it is more commonly known as Tresillian Family Care Centres.

Tresillian’s tradition of education has continued over the years. Courses for both nurses and parents are still offered through Tresillian but the emphasis has changed from infant survival to health promotion and meeting the changing needs of parents.