Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01306:reg:69:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01306
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 69 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 118383–121321

69   Minute, Cumpston to Minster for Health, 25 November 1937; Earle Page, Cabinet Agenda: Health No. 503, 20 January 1938; minute, Director-General of Health to Secretary, Treasury, 20 March 1938, CRS A1928, item 695/24; Gibbney, Canberra 1913-1953, p. 193.

  Despite this setback, Cumpston and the government moved ahead with their plans to make the Institute the centre for the study of child health, nutrition and growth. In July 1938, the position of Director was filled by Dr Frederick W. Clements, a specialist with qualifications in public health and tropical medicine, who had a particular interest in infant nutrition. A dietician was added to the Institute's staff shortly afterwards. Research soon commenced into such topics as the chemistry of whole and powdered milk, and abnormalities in bone growth in children. A summer school of nutrition was held in January 1939. In the same month, and in accordance with the Institute's new direction, it assumed responsibility for the planning and control of research in 'child development centres' that had recently been established in each state. These were the six Lady Gowrie Homes for Children, set up in a collaborative effort between the Commonwealth government and the Australian Association for Pre-School Child Development. A positive development of a different nature occurred from 1 October 1938 when, at the request of the Canberra Tourist Bureau, the Institute's opening hours were extended, especially on weekends, to cater for an increasing number of tourists.70

  With the changes taking place in the Institute, the MacKenzie influence continued to dwindle. Already in late 1936, the Institute's experimental biologist, Dr Bourne, had been transferred to Sydney, and in July the following year the histologist, Owen, had died suddenly; his position was subsequently abolished. Miss Lovett, the photographic artist, resigned one

  month after MacKenzie's resignation, and the services of biochemist Doris Anderson were terminated in March 1938. MacKay, the Acting Director, retired a few weeks after Clements's appointment to the permanent position. In the Institute's two museum blocks, the displays were extensively reorganised such that a greater emphasis was placed on the presentation of simple lessons in human hygiene. Descriptive legends for the exhibits and coloured photographs were also introduced at this time.71

  The outbreak of World War II completely disrupted the Institute's new direction and research program. Most of the research work begun under Clements was suspended, with the Institute instead having to concentrate on research that was related to the war effort. The first of these projects commenced in early 1940, as a result of the Commonwealth government's consideration, as a wartime measure, of adding a thiamine supplement to white flour used for making bread. Before any such move was made, Clements and his staff were asked to