Emma Jane Callaghan

Aboriginal healthcare worker and advocate (1884–1979)

About Emma Jane Callaghan

Emma Jane 'Lady' Callaghan (later Cook) worked tirelessly in her community as a nurse, midwife, missionary, advocate, and recorder of Indigenous language. A mother of 11 children, she was a primary healthcare worker on Aboriginal reserves at La Perouse, Bellbrook and Armidale, as well as an outspoken advocate for Aboriginal civil rights and an active member of the War Widows' Guild. In her spare time, she made hats and clothing for herself, her family and the wider community.

Location

Street address:To be announced, La Perouse
Traditional name:La Perouse is on land traditionally occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal Clans

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Black and white photograph of a woman sitting down and two men standing next to her — Emma Jane Callaghan with her sons Arthur (left) and Harry (right) at Tasman Street, La Perouse, c. 1940s. Image courtesy La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council

Finding inspiration early

Emma Jane Foote was born in February 1884 at the La Perouse Aboriginal reserve to Dharawal woman Kathleen Sims, and William Foote. Emma was named after Queen Emma Timbery, the midwife who delivered her and a close friend of her mother Kathleen.

Emma sustained a head injury when she was four years old and was nursed back to health by missionary Retta Dixon, who would go on to establish the Aborigines' Inland Mission of Australia. This was the beginning of a life changing relationship for Emma.

A mission to be of service

Though Emma left school after third grade, she dreamed of becoming a nurse. In 1903, Dixon took Emma with her on a visit to Nulla Nulla Aborigines' Reserve, Bellbrook, near Kempsey in Dunghutti Country. It was on this trip that Emma was inspired to serve her people and so in 1905 she moved to Bellbrook. At this time, Kempsey Hospital was refusing to admit Aboriginal patients, so Emma began helping the elder Aboriginal women who were working as midwives to deliver babies and ensure the children's births were registered. She also rode through the bush to treat patients, searching for the sick in camps and humpies.

Emma was deeply committed to the Presbyterian faith and attended Sunday services, where she learned to play the organ. She held her own religious services under the trees or in the tin chapel on the reserve, including conducting burials with police in attendance as witnesses to ensure the ceremonies were appropriately registered.

Serving her community on many levels

On 20 September 1909, Emma married Athol Callaghan, a labourer and Dunghutti man. She became skilled in the local language, translating stories from the Bible into Dunghutti.

When Athol contracted tuberculosis in 1928, the family relocated to Armidale to be closer to medical facilities. At that time, local Aboriginal people were living in appalling conditions on the outskirts of town. Emma actively lobbied the mayor and Anglican bishop for a house for herself and her family. Her home in Brewery Lane became an impromptu hospital and doctor's surgery. Dr Ellen Kent Hughes visited regularly to treat patients, and Emma provided midwifery services.

Emma was also a skilled needleworker, making hats and clothes not only for herself and her 11 children, but also the wider community – even wedding dresses and ball gowns.

Continuing her good work back in La Perouse

After 7 years in Armidale, Emma moved back to her birthplace of La Perouse with her family. She bought a block of land near the reserve in 1939 through the Homes for Unemployed Trust, and had a timber fibro house built.

Affectionately known as 'Lady' and 'Aunty Lady, Emma continued her work caring for the ill and ran a sick bay from her home on Tasman Street. She followed the Armidale model of using her home as a venue for Sunday School, weddings, baptisms and church services.

Widowed in 1942, Emma went on to marry Royal Navy veteran Henry James Cook. After his death in 1964, Emma became an active member of the War Widows' Guild and was presented to Princess Marina, the dowager Duchess of Kent as an 'outstanding woman'. Emma also worked for the Aborigines Protection Board, lobbying for the dole and civil rights for Aboriginal people.

Emma's last childbirth delivery was on the Aboriginal reserve at La Perouse in 1962 at the age of 78. Emma continued fighting for her people, remaining an active member of the La Perouse community until her death in 1979, at the age of 95.