4 : midwifery training at the Alexandra Home

After leaving Wellington Hospital, Barbara proceeded to the Alexandra Home in Hansen Street, a maternity home run by the Wellington Ladies' Christian Association for Unmarried Mothers (founded in march 1878). It was sometimes referred to as the Alexandra Home for Friendless Women,¹ and was opened in 1881.

There, for the next eight months or so she was instructed in the practice of midwifery whilst living on the premises. In June, 1921 she passed the National Midwives Examination with marks over 75%.²
Barbara had wanted to then undergo training at Karitane Hospital, Wellington to become a certified Plunket Nurse.³ However, she was unable to gain entry to that programme at this time as a large contingent of Australian nurses had been accepted for training.⁴

prev    next