The Phillips

When Esther Augusta Boehm (1885-1972) married Robert William Phillips (1895-1984) in 1922, (reference), it was a union of two people who contributed to the history of Bunbury in entirely different ways. Esther had just retired from being the first Williams district nurse and Robert, the recently appointed manager of the Bunbury Branch of the W.A. Bank, was about to become the State Tennis Champion.

First District Nurse

Early 1912, the Bunbury District Nursing Association was formed by an all-female committee “to obtain the services of a qualified nurse to all those in necessitous circumstances, free of charge.” To hire the nurse, they first had to raise £70 ($8,687 today), equal to half a year’s salary (reference). 

In November, the following advertisement was placed in The West Australian: “WANTED, fully qualified permanent Nurse for the Bunbury District Nursing Association. Applicants must state qualifications and salary required.” (reference) 

Esther Boehm, who had been the district nurse in Williams, was appointed in January 1913 and was deemed “in every way fitted for the position” (reference). Esther was brought up by a community orientated family and a midwife mother in Lion Hill near Mt Helena (reference; reference; reference; reference). Esther completed both her general nursing and obstetrics qualifications at Topsham Private Hospital in Stirling Street, Perth, and eventually became Matron of that establishment in 1910 (reference).

The Association provided her with a bicycle (reference) and by July, she had attended to 32 patients, 20 of whom were unable to pay. Many of these patients had required multiple visits, up to 45 in one case, and she also had numerous all-night stays (reference).

Her workload increased dramatically in the next year and by the time of the annual meeting in July 1914, she had made nearly 2,000 visits to patients around the district (reference). Bunbury experienced a smallpox outbreak in 1914 and Nurse Boehm received praise from the State Commissioner for Public Health, Dr Hope, for her assistance in dealing with cases in the area (reference).

Nurse Boehm was well-loved in Bunbury and many sang her praise:

“The Society had been very fortunate in obtaining Nurse Boehm as the first District Nurse to start the work, as success was very often due to the personality of the nurse, and this lady was both capable, and possessed a kindliness and gentleness in a very high degree. She had paid at least 45 calls a week to sickness during the past year. Her work was hard and exacting, but the Association was delighted indeed with her labours.” - Reverend Canon Adams (reference)

“the man in the street knew more about Nurse Boehm's good work than the members. She never refused to do anything she was asked to. It was an acknowledged fact that had they got a Nurse of a different character, the Association would not be in the flourishing condition it was that day.” - Mr Minors (reference)

“As an evidence of the esteem in which she is held locally, the cordial reception which was tendered last night to Nurse Boehm at the dance held in connection with the District Nursing Association scheme should be most gratifying to that lady. It may be added that the affectionate regard which is shown to her by all those who have benefited by her ministrations is a striking tribute to her gentle care.” - Southern Times 14 April 1914 (reference)

“Nurse Boehm has endeared herself to the people of Bunbury by a thousand acts of kindness.” - Southern Times 1916 (reference)

Lady on a Motorcycle

The Association realised a bicycle was not an adequate means of travel, so they procured her a motorcycle (reference). A committee member, Walter Kaeshagen, taught her to ride (reference) and before long “Nurse Boehm's toot-toot [was] heard here and there and everywhere as she [sped] on her mission of mercy.” (reference). A lady motorcyclist was very progressive of the times.

"Someone notices there are no lady motor cyclists in Perth, and wonders how the fair sex would get along if they were at the handlebars. A few years ago District Nurse Boehm, of Bunbury, bestrode a motor cycle to go her humanitarian rounds, and when she received an urgent "S.O.S.," away she would "chuff-chuff" at a good speed of 40 miles an hour, the tails of her cap rigid in the wind behind her, poultry flying squawking out of the road and all traffic seeking the side also to give her a fair run. The scribe under notice asks how the ladies would behave as pilots of these "nerve-racking machines." Judging by Nurse Boehm, exceedingly well. Although the subject of the remarks has forsaken single blessedness, and is now the possessor of a smart little car, it is noticed she prefers to let "hubby" take the wheel.” - South Western Times 1923 (reference)

In 1925, the newspaper Mirror stated that Miss Mason was the first woman in Western Australia to get a motorcycle licence. However, they were corrected and reminded of Nurse Boehm:

“In the last issue of your paper you have a photo of Miss Mason. as being the first lady in W.A. to hold a motor cycle license. This is incorrect, as I was granted a license to ride a motor cycle in 1920 by Constable Ford, of Greenbushes and have had same renewed twice since, having ridden hundreds of miles through the South West, and also on the goldfields. Ms. R. W. Phillips, of Broome-street, Cottesloe Beach, formerly Nurse Essie Boehm, of Bunbury, who was district nurse for the association, used a motor cycle to carry on her work some eight years ago.” - Mrs H M Furguson (reference)

Community Minded

Despite her hectic schedule, Nurse Boehm found time to participate in community events such as the carnival procession in 1915:

“Mr Ron McDonald, of the Bendigo Garage, drove a very nicely decorated motor car, in which were seated District Nurse Boehm in her nurse's costume in charge of a very big baby (Mr. Jeff Capom), in long clothes, picked out in baby ribbon and lace. Ordinary feeders were no good for this "baby," who drew his nourishment from a large glass flask through a section of rubber hose.” (reference)

She also took time to write letters to the newspaper to express her gratitude for those who participated in District Nursing Association fundraising events (reference; reference).

As a measure of the esteem in which she was held, she was selected to be the South West District Queen in the 1915 statewide Queen Carnival to raise money for soldiers (reference). Unfortunately due to her heavy workload, she had to resign from the competition (reference). 

Illness

Nurse Boehm had a huge workload and was subject to challenging environments which took a toll on her health. Early 1915, she came down with septic poisoning (reference) and in 1918 she suffered a bout of pleurisy (reference). It was this last case that resulted in her resignation (reference). Following her resignation she was given a valedictory reception in July 1918 (reference). A new nurse was promptly appointed, but her inability to ride the motorcycle prevented her from visiting patients with the same promptness. This led to her dismissal and before readvertising the position, the Association approached Nurse Boehm to see if she would reconsider working. When she agreed, they promptly bought a car so that she could get around safely in all weather (reference). The car proved to be a worthwhile purchase as the months following her reinstatement turned out to be extremely busy due to an Influenza epidemic. She was doing more visits than ever, often to entire families that were ill (reference). In 1920, Nurse Boehm’s mother became very sick (reference), she moved to a house in White Road (reference) and eventually brought her parents to Bunbury to live with her (reference).

The New Bank Manager

The same year, 1920, Robert (Bob) Phillips, a new, young manager of the W.A. Bank (later bought out by the Bank of N.S.W.) was transferred from the Goldfields to Bunbury (reference). Robert had played tennis in the Goldfields for several years and was becoming well known in state tennis circles.  A report on the 1919 Championship Tournament at King’s Park stated:

“Phillips may be said to have been the "discovery" of the tournament. He has all the strokes, including a surprisingly effective smash known in America as "crosseyed." that is to say, all appearances point to one side of the court, while the ball goes crisply to the other. He times well, drives hard, and where he wants to, is very fast about the court and essentially a "getter." - The West Australian 1919 (reference)

Mr and Mrs Phillips

While Esther Boehm was known for her kindness and gentleness, one columnist said Robert Phillips was “the most conceited player on the Goldfields.” (reference). Nevertheless, he caught Esther’s eye and in September 1921 they were engaged. (reference). Esther’s mother died in January 1922, one month before her daughter married Robert on February 22 (reference; reference). She retired from nursing and again was lauded for her excellent work with many saying Robert was a very lucky man (reference).

In 1923, Robert Phillips became the State Tennis Champion of Western Australia, holding the title for some years (reference; reference).

After they left Bunbury, Mr Phillips was transferred to many different parts of the state with the Bank of New South Wales. The couple were both community-minded and worked to improve the different localities. For example, while stationed in Tambellup, Esther was the Tambellup Ladies' Methodist Guild president (reference) while Robert was president of both the golf and tennis clubs and “played a prominent part in building up the [tennis] club to its present fine standard.” (reference). In 1952 while residing at Guildford, the couple was involved with aboriginal welfare and Esther instigated an idea for a Native Community Centre at Success Hill, Bassendean offering “cultural, medical and recreational facilities.” (reference). While endorsed by the Commissioner of Native Affairs, it did not proceed due to public protest (reference).

In 1953, the Bunbury council named Boehm Street in honour of Esther (reference). 

Esther and Robert were remarkable people who contributed to their local communities wherever they lived. 

This article was researched and written by Gaye Englund for the Streets of Bunbury project.