Perth's Silver Chain Nursing League Building has today been added to the State Register of Heritage Places.
Image provided by the Silver Chain Heritage Collection.
Perth's Silver Chain Nursing League Building has today been added to the State Register of Heritage Places.
The inclusion of the Wright Street building recognises the site's significant cultural heritage, and its strong social value associated with the work of Silver Chain for the Perth community and the State.
Silver Chain began as the Silver Chain Nursing League club through the children's column in Perth's Western Mail newspaper run by journalist Muriel Chase under the pseudonym 'Aunt Mary'. The name originated from the subscribers, known as the 'Silver Links', who paid an annual fee of one shilling to help fund the care of other children in need.
Following a campaign by Dr Gertrude Mead, Silver Chain launched its district nursing scheme in 1907. By 1919, Silver Chain district nurses were based in Perth, Fremantle, Leederville, North Perth, and Cottesloe. The service later expanded into regional areas as part of the Bush Nursing Society.
Built in 1920 to accommodate elderly patients, the Silver Chain Nursing League Building was a key development in Silver Chain's move from child health and maternity nursing into aged care.
It is the only structure remaining from Silver Chain's previously cottage homes complex established at the location in 1916. The site continues to be associated with aged care through its current owners Aegis Aged Care.
The Silver Chain Nursing League Building served as Silver Chain's headquarters between 1957 to 1985, after which the service moved to Osborne Park.
