‘MUTTER MILICH’, as Ernstine Pauline Milich became known to the German-speaking families of Loxton, helped bring more than 200 babies into the world during the first decade of the 20th century.
She is one of 19 women highlighted in the Women of the River Country exhibition, developed by the volunteers and staff at the Mannum Dock Musuem.
As a young woman, the then Pauline Schrapel worked for Sedan doctor Wilhelm Milich and learnt practical skills of midwifery and homoeopathy from him.
Local doctors were virtually non-existent and the closest was Kapunda in the early days. As Pauline’s ability became known she was called upon for cases of illness, accidents, stitching up wounds, setting bones and even extracting teeth.
At 18 she married Dr Milich’s son, Johannes, and they eventually settled in the new Pyap Estate near Loxton, along with nine young children.
Her daughter Lottie Bradke later recalled there was often a call for Pauline’s skills.
“Sometimes it would be just tap, tap, tap on the kitchen window at night, and an anxious husband would urge mother to come quickly,” she said.
“A few words would be exchanged, then the precious medical bag would be taken from the cupboard where it was safely locked from her own brood, and off mother Milich would go by horse and sulky into the darkest night, often driving many miles through harsh outback country.”
One delivery coincided with the birth of Pauline’s 14th child. Both midwife and patient gave birth and Pauline cared for her patient and both infants for two days before returning home.
“Many a night I remember a little bundle being popped into bed beside me. I would think drowsily, oh just another baby – and go back to sleep,” Lottie wrote.
Pauline had her own quiet room, at her home, for sick patients, and another for expecting mothers. Her fee for delivery of babies was 1 pound but many could not afford to pay.
Pauline also kept chickens, cows and horses, alongside an extensive garden.
Her children were expected to help with the milking before and after school, with butter, cream and fresh eggs sold to the passing paddle steamers.
In later years Pauline was an avid supporter of the Loxton Hospital and donated farm produce such as fruit and jams.
In 2012, Pauline’s great-granddaughter Denise van Oostveen and her husband Marco, Berri, arranged for a monument for be built at Milich’s Landing in honour of Johannes and Pauline’s contribution.
Pauline’s medical bag is on display at the Loxton District Historical Village.
The move to tell some of the unique stories of those who have lived in the Murray-Darling Basin has taken on national significance.
The Women of the River Country exhibition, which originated at the Mannum Dock Museum in 2015, has expanded into a three state and 16 venue tour, continuing into 2018.
Mannum Dock Museum chairman Rob Bowring said this was an important project that highlighted the amazing and sometimes untold achievements of women.
“This project has captured the essence and highlights the importance of many remarkable women who have played a vital role in shaping our mighty river country,” he said.
“The exhibition showcases the stories of 19 unique women from the mid 1800s to present day, from early pioneers, to an internationally-acclaimed sporting icon, to a world-class musician, all of whom have connections with our magnificent riverscape.”
Alongside Loxton midwife Pauline Milich, other honourees include the first female river captain Pearl Wallace, Wentworth, NSW, explorer Eliza Arbuckle, Morgan, World War I heroine Jesse Wakefield, Goolwa, and Murray Grey breeder Helen Sutherland, Wodonga, Vic.
As the exhibition travels through its 16 venues, each location will have the opportunity to showcase its own local remarkable women. At its present home at Olivewood Homestead, Renmark, a further 11 women have been highlighted.
The exhibition will be on show at Renmark until June 21, before it moves to the Mildura Arts Centre, Vic.
- Details: psmarion.com/events-exhibitions
