By Mark Sawa
Women's liberation was sweeping Australia and the Whitlam government was at the vanguard of dramatic social change.
The year was 1974 and a group of progressive new mothers wanting a life beyond the home got together in Canberra to figure out a balance between caring for their newborns and continuing their careers.
From left, Gryfynn Wittchen and Isabella Dacosta Andrade with cottage director Michelle Fernandez at Spence Children’s Cottage, a government house converted to childcare in 1974.Credit: Matt Bedford
The result was the Spence Children's Cottage.
A government house converted into a childcare facility was a novel approach at the time but 40 years on it has proved to be an enduring one.
Cottage director Michelle Fernandez said in the early '70s existing models of care didn't meet the needs of working mothers.
Two centres were established in Spence and Narrabundah as part of the new models of care.
Ms Fernandez said the Women's Electoral Lobby and the Liberation Council were working with government to establish these improvements to childcare.
The cottage was one of the only community childcare centres established in Canberra before the Whitlam government was controversially toppled in 1975.
The first formal meeting to establish the cottage took place in June 1974.
They went on to apply for grants and establish the suburban childcare facility.
In September 2014 they celebrate 40 years.
The stand-alone not-for-profit centre, operated by the parent community, has grown and developed with a number of extensions and upgrades.
In 1991 new extensions were opened by former ACT Labor MLA Roberta McRae.
For its 21st birthday in 1995 the cottage received another extension. And this they will cut a cake to mark four decades of service.
Ms Fernandez, who has worked there for 22 years, said the cottage was the sort of place that got under your skin.
"I worked from the ranks of a work experience student to now and I've been director for 12 years," she said.
"I have a real passion for it and I think it is a lovely small centre, as opposed to some of bigger centres that are around. We still only have the 25 children a day so it has that family feel
about the centre."
■ The Spence Children's Cottage will celebrate its 40th birthday on Saturday, September 13, from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a raffle, music, face painting, old fashioned games and a balloon artist. For more information call 0458 819 800.