On Sunday 23 August, CMS joined MLAs Rachel Stephen-Smith and Thomas Emerson at Wakefield Gardens for an opportunity to pause and reflect on the building, before its demolition.
Wakefield Gardens opened as a baby health clinic under CMS in 1951, and remained so until the 90s, under CMS in the 50s and 60s, and then ACT Health. Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services took up the tenancy between 1998 and 2005, and it has been abandoned since.
CMS Board member Fiona Smith du Toit, spoke at the event of CMS’s history at Wakefield Gardens. Fiona was joined by CMS President Tish Mercieca, past CMS Board members Viola Kalokerinos and Dr Sue Packer, and past CMS staff members Di Fernando and Robina Johnstone. Dr Sue Packer recalls running a parenting support program from Wakefield Gardens for mothers, babies and toddlers in 1982. Robina Johnstone recalled taking her own children to Wakefield Gardens for their health checks.
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services also attended the event to share their stories of the building.
CMS is glad that, following demolition, the site will be reconnected to the surrounding Wakefield Gardens precinct with landscaping to create a public, open space that maintains the cultural and historical significance of the area.