Kate Cocks: Pt.1: The Early Years
Ms Fanny Kate Boadicea Cocks (M.B.E.) was born in
Moonta, South Australia on the 5th of May 1875 to parents Anthony
Cocks, a miner and Elizabeth (nee George) a school teacher (Kate also had two
brothers).
Mr Cocks sunk his money into a farming property near Quorn, but hard times fell upon the family and he was forced to go back to mining to pay off his debts.
It was at this time, while the mid-north
was in drought, that Kate learned valuable lessons about poverty that would
remain with her into her adult life. It was also during this time that Kate
prayed to God for rain, as the farm and its animals were suffering. That
Friday rain came; this event cemented her strong Methodist beliefs that stayed
with her for life.
In her teens,
Kate’s father went to New South Wales to work as a miner. The rest of the family moved to Riverton, where Elizabeth worked as a school
teacher.
Eventually Anthony returned home, and it was decided they would move the family to Parkside. Anthony opened a store and bakery to supplement their income.
Eventually Anthony returned home, and it was decided they would move the family to Parkside. Anthony opened a store and bakery to supplement their income.
Kate, now an
adult began to look to the future, and chose her career. She decided to follow
in her mothers’ footsteps and become a school teacher. She ended up getting the
second job she applied for, at Edwardstown and became the School Teacher and
Sub-Matron of the Receiving Home for State Children.
Kate spent the next three years working with the under-privileged. She said of her experiences there;
“Sheltered
in a good home I had not known anything of vice or cruelty and I never bathed a
neglected baby, or tended a sad-faced dirty child, without realising that I had
been led by Providence to have my vision adjusted to see life in
reality and try to alter some of its in justices. How responsive to my love all
those tiny ones were, and. often. I would creep away and shut myself in my
wardrobe and cry a little. The wardrobe was the only private spot I could find.
I am not prone to tears ordinarily, but I defy any woman, worthy of the name,
to go through those three years without occasionally seeking the relief of
tears.
The 'foster-mother system. I could see, needed more oversight, and my great ambition centred upon becoming an inspector. Our ordinary duties were concerned with children, from infants to girls of 21, and boys up to 18 years. But, once again, my plans were thwarted, and looking back, I see it was all part of my discipline.”
The 'foster-mother system. I could see, needed more oversight, and my great ambition centred upon becoming an inspector. Our ordinary duties were concerned with children, from infants to girls of 21, and boys up to 18 years. But, once again, my plans were thwarted, and looking back, I see it was all part of my discipline.”
Her position
at the Receiving Home, and being overlooked for another position, led to Cocks
becoming interested in the state probation system for juvenile delinquents’. She studied
the system and found it inadequate for the offender’s rehabilitation. Cocks
soon became a Juvenile Court Probation Officer.
Next Week: Kate Cocks: Pt.2: Juvenile Court Probation Officer.
Next Week: Kate Cocks: Pt.2: Juvenile Court Probation Officer.
Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2018
Bibliography on final post.
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