As we celebrate our 130th anniversary, it’s important to recognise the incredible individuals who have shaped our organisation. This month we highlight one such pioneer: Nurse Frances Cherry.
Frances Cherry was a true trailblazer in community care and nursing in Western Australia. She joined Silverchain in 1908 and dedicated 33 years of her life to serving the community. Known affectionally as ‘Nurse Cherry’, she became a familiar and beloved figure throughout Perth.
Her journey was extraordinary. From nursing the son of Lord Tennyson in South Australia to pioneering district nursing in Western Australia, Nurse Cherry’s dedication and compassion were unparalleled. She braved the challenges of early 20th century health care, travelling by pony and trap to reach clients’ homes in remote areas.
One of Nurse Cherry’s most significant moments was her meeting with and subsequent collaboration with Muriel Chase, one of the founders Silverchain Group. Under Muriel’s guidance, Nurse Cherry’s work took on an even greater importance as she helped shape the organisation’s early years. She became the first superintendent in 1918, overseeing four district nurses on staff, including a children’s nurse.
After her years as a district nurse, Nurse Cherry dedicated her remaining work life to the newly built Cottage Homes in Highgate in the early 1920s where she provided invaluable care to residents. Her dedication to care, connection, and innovation is a testament to the values that guided our national organisation for 130 years.
We remember Nurse Cherry as an early pioneer of the practice of district nursing and community care in urban and rural Western Australia. She helped establish residential aged care, initiated modern day infant health services, and midwifery services to women in need. She endured war-time shortages and survived the difficulties of the depression years.
In the years that followed and in recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Nurse Cherry was posthumously inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to all of us at Silverchain.
Learn more about our 130 years of care, connection and innovation.
