THE CHILDREN’S PROTECTION SOCIETY PAYS TRIBUTE TO MRS. ADELAIDE ANNE CLEMENS (1918 – 2009) LIFE MEMBER AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE CHILDREN’S PROTECTION SOCIETY

Mrs Clemens joined the CPS committee of management in 1961. This was already a family affair as her mother, Mrs. Emily Turnbull, had also served on the committee and as President in the 1940s. Mrs Clemens served on the committee for 18 years, 16 of them as President. The Presidency became a fulltime, unpaid job and for much of the time Mrs Clemens was the President, the de facto CEO and main fundraiser for the Society and she enlisted many family and friends to help.
It was not an easy role in a time when Australian society refused to acknowledge child abuse and neglect but through years of tireless work and dedication, Mrs. Clemens became extremely influential progressing policy change in child welfare in the State of Victoria.
In her reflections, Mrs Clemens made it clear that:
“We must all continue to try to make Victoria a good place for children to live in”.
The Children’s Protection Society is pledged to continue her work. Mrs. Clemens place in the history of the Children’s Protection Society is renowned and celebrated.