THE PIONEERS OF MILLDENE PARK

Excerpts from a dedication speech at this Luncheon by  Robin Morris.

Robin recalled that Jack Jennings, a retired naval officer invited him to attend a committee meeting of the Care Centre which had been formed to investigate the feasibility of establishing homes for the aged.

This meeting was held at the home of Elise Maker in Grosvenor Crescent. Elise managed Brink Estates in Durban North. At this meeting Robin met Margaret Browne (with an "e")

Robin learned from that meeting that Roger Wood, a quantity surveyor and Rob Prior were charged with raising donations for the Community Hall and Frail Care Centre to be established in conjunction with the homes.

Margaret Browne had already taken it upon herself to identify land in Durban North suitable for the proposed development.

She had contacted the Town Council and the Community Development Board. Despite little progress she remained optimistic. A few years earlier the State had sold all the land expropriated from local Indians in Durban North, and none was left. 

Undaunted, for two years Roger Wood continued to walk the streets of the CBD for donations. Margaret continued knocking on the doors of the City Fathers and the officials at the Community Development Board. At length Margaret reported that the Government had agreed to sell the land behind the Hypermarket, which had been set aside for public open space. Special Consent was required to change the land usage. Margaret was undeterred by this impediment.

So this was applied for before buying the land with the purpose of erecting housing. 

Margaret's cordial relationship with the State Officials secured the approval with just one objection from Living Waters Church which was upheld.

However, this delayed the project by 14 months. 

To check that there was sufficient demand for housing for older people, a Public Meeting was convened. It was organised by the Durban Care Centre and held at St Margaret's Church with the blessing of Father James Wyllie. Between 200 and 300 people signed expression of interest.

Building plans were prepared by Manuel Seirlis. Of importance to Margaret Browne was that the Community Hall would be large enough for 300 to 400 people to attend the weekly meetings of the Care Centre.  A kitchen would be included for the exclusive use of the Care Centre. The initial building was for 12 care centre rooms and bedsitters.

Despite caring for three boisterous boys, Margaret walked the streets and  collected hundreds of signatures. Armed with this data, she was able to convince our City Fathers and State Officials of the needs of Durban North for housing the frail and aged.

Robin Morris then named the Hall the Margaret Browne Hall in appreciation and gratitude by the Milldene Park community.