Winnie An Aboriginal Girl In Subiaco (1946).
This is the story of an Aboriginal girl who found herself at injured after being kicked in the hip by a pet cow and at the Children's Hospital in Subiaco. She had osteomyelitis, an abscessed condition of the hip.
There is a photograph of the young girl with a wonderful smile. The story attached to the photograph tells us one of a bright young girl Winnie who despite never having been to school was intelligent and a quick learner and had achieved second standard in just over eight months.
The article does not tell the story of children being taken from their family and everything they know to live in an orphanage. Despite obviously being bright Winnie's future was being trained as domestic help.
The articles are from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Daily News, 24 August 1946.
Education Results From Kick
A dusky-skinned, happy little girl is learning to read and write in the Children's Hospital, Subiaco because she was kicked in the hip by a pet calf.
She is 13. Eight months ago she could not read and write. Today she is an earnest little pupil who has reached second standard in some subjects. Winnie comes from the Great Southern area.
She Is one of a family of eight who must suffer because their skins are a little darker than white children. Schooling has come to her only because she is in hospital.
But she can learn as well and quickly as white children. She is very intelligent and diligent
She learnt her first lessons when she was in plaster and did her school work lying on her back. Now she can walk about, sit at a table to study.
Winnie has had osteomyelitis, an abscessed condition of the hip bone.
Her father is a shearer. She was sent to Perth for treatment from an orthopedic surgeon.
But her friends at the Children's Hospital want Winnie's education to go on. They would like her to stay in Perth and attend a school. Her parents have agreed to this plan if a home can be found for her.
Daily News, 30 August 1946.
Winnie 13 Gets A New Home
Thirteen-year-old dusky-skinned Winnie who has been in the Children's Hospital, Subiaco, has been given a home where she can continue with her education. She has been received by St. Joseph's Orphanage, Subiaco.
On Saturday, Winnie went to her new home where she was welcomed by people who have a 'soft spot' for dark-skinned children.
But before she left the hospital, where she had made many friends, she was given a pleasant surprise.
A parcel was sent to her from the Mother Superior of St. Joseph's Orphanage. Winnie found a pair of shining new shoes, a new bright red jumper and a pleated skirt, attractive new underclothes.
She had never been to school until she entered the Children's Hospital. She had to stay on her back for some time because she had a diseased hip. But she learnt to read and write and gain second standard within eight months.
Winnie comes from the country, and if she had not been offered a home in the city, her education would have ceased. Now, she will get a full education and also be trained in domestic science.
