Famous face remembers Wilson Home

Take a look at the 1948 picture (below) of two boys lying outside on hospital trolley-beds. On the left is motor-racing legend Bruce McLaren, the boy from Meadowbank who went on to race and design the world's most successful Formula One car, which still carries his name more than 40 years after his death. On the right is little Mick Brown, who became New Zealand's first Principal Youth Court Judge.

Judge Brown smiles warmly as he remembers the time he spent at Wilson Home in Takapuna when he was 10 years old. He'd been in the same ward as Bruce at Middlemore Hospital at first, before the boys were transferred to the Wilson Home at the same time.

"It was a wonderful place," says the outspoken advocate for New Zealand's children. "Occasionally, we used to have little races around with the bath chairs - it was kids' fun."

Bruce had Perthes Disease which affects the hip joints, and spent two years in traction until he was 11.

Mick was being treated for tuberculosis of the knee, a disease that killed his mother when he was born.

He remembers how Bruce used to talk about cars all the time.

"I was totally unsurprised when he eventually became a racer," he laughs.

In just under a fortnight, the Wilson Home Trust is celebrating its 75th anniversary (see boxed text) at its historic premises on Auckland's North Shore. William and Lucinda Wilson gifted their home in 1935, firmly believing that sick children would heal faster in such a beautiful setting, surrounded by the sea.

"It was a magnificent act of generosity of the Wilson family donating it," says Judge Brown, who will be speaking at the celebratory dinner on April 21. Jan McLaren, one of Bruce's sisters, is also one of the speakers.

The 75-year-old retired judge recalls the gorgeous summerhouse as well as the little boathouse. He says they used to sit in the sun on the veranda all the time.

"I had the most wonderful teacher, Miss Anderson. As long as I can remember in my life, I loved reading. She encouraged my love of reading. I read all the classics in my life there.I didn't feel that leaving the formal school was any disadvantage in those days," he says.

He adds he almost became a teacher because of her.

"I always had an admiration for her. And I trained as a teacher at one stage, then I decided I'd do law."

Russell Ness, the Wilson Home Trust director, says there have been a number of changes at the Home since Judge Brown's time but the philosophy remains the same: that children recuperate best in an atmosphere that feels like home.

"William and Lucinda Wilson were very much interested and involved with children. And it was at the time when the polio epidemic had struck. They recognised children need to be cared for in a particular environment. They were actually ahead of their time," he says, going on to say that a lot of the schooling was undertaken under the trees. "They believed that fresh air and sunshine had healing effects," he says.

Over the years, the Wilson Home evolved from being a place where children stayed on for years, to a place where children rehabilitating could stay for a time with their families. There are up to nine flexible-use motel-like accommodation units where family members can stay with their child. The Home also provides respite for families of children who have complex needs.

"The days of 'beds' are gone," says Mr Ness. "Children and young people may stay for respite. On average that would be around 10-15 days. Children may also stay for several months while receiving rehabilitation."

Unlike in Judge Brown's time, children who need intensive rehabilitation stay only six to eight months.

Mr Ness adds the structure is also different now. Whereas the Home used to be a school, hospital and trust rolled into one, these functions have been separated and are supervised by different government ministries.

The core tenant, Waitemata District Health Board, runs the Wilson Centre rehabilitation, outpatient and respite services.

"There can be up to 100 specialist staff on site, although this is an around-the-clock service so there are shifts. These include nurses, paediatricians, specialist clinicians, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, play specialists, support staff and social workers," he says.

The Ministry of Education, on the other hand, runs the Wilson School and the Northern Health School on the site.

"The Wilson Home Trust is the owner and custodian of the 5.5ha property and buildings that are known as the 'Wilson Home'.

"The trust provides additional care and services that are not provided by the DHB, for families and children. It also administers the property, looks after the grounds and so on," he says.

"The other big change over the years is, increasingly, the community is a big part of the Wilson home and the Wilson Home is part of the community. It's not shut away."

Mr Ness says Takapuna Grammar school, which is right next door, sends their pupils to study and play with the children. Gardeners have also been coming in for 15 years to work on the extensive grounds.

"We are pretty much a little village," he says.

Judge Brown recalls it was a brilliant environment, even if you were a sick child.

"There were lots of tears when we went home for the holidays. I couldn't have been luckier to have gone there."

TAKE PART IN THE CELEBRATIONS

The Wilson Home Trust celebrates its 75th anniversary from April 20-22.

FRIDAY Reunion party on Friday night at the restored 19th-century cottage.

SATURDAY Memory sharing sessions, plus guided tours of the 13-acre site. Entertainment by the Kumeu Vintage Brass Band, the Devonport Folk Club Uke Troupe and accordionist Tracey Collins.

The Jubilee dinner on Saturday night will be attended by William Wilson, the grandson of Mr and Mrs W R Wilson.

SUNDAY Non-denominational Service of Thanksgiving Followed by Devonshire Teas and more garden tours.

BOOK The Trust is also publishing a limited edition book of photographs and memories.

For information, contact: Liz Banton at The Wilson Home Trust, 485 3461 or 021 947 831. email: liz@wilsonhometrust.org.nz or see jubilee.wilsonhometrust.org.nz