Wednesday, September 7, 2016 Metchosin, British Columbia was the site of a ceremony to honour the first President of the Associated Country Women of the World, Mrs. Madge Watt and to welcome her spirit “home.” The 20 years she lived at Metchosin was one of the longest periods of her life at one address.
It was a day of mixed emotions – celebration, happiness, pride, and satisfaction. Even Mother Nature participated in the emotions, shedding “tears of joy” which drove the program segment of the ceremony indoors, and then she relented and beamed with beautiful sunshine when the plaque was unveiled in its permanent site.
80 people attended the event held in the Council Chamber of the Metchosin Municipality where they paid rapt attention to the messages given by Dr. Helen Geissinger, the great niece of Mrs. Watt and Ruth Shanks, the recently re-elected World President of the Associated Country Women of the World. Both speakers have been residing in New South Wales, Australia, but Dr. Geissinger is in the midst of relocating to Canada.
Dr. Geissinger focused her remarks on Mrs. Watt's family links, and on stories about this titan of countrywomen everywhere. She explained that it had become a tradition that this first born girls in the family be named Margaret or Rose, or both, and then a shortened version was to be chosen for daily use. So, the first born daughter of Henry and Bethia (nee Rose) was named Margaret Rose Robertson – Margaret for daily use. In her teens, “Margaret” decided she did not want to be known as Margaret nor Maggie, Margo or Peggy. She declared she was “Madge” and insisted on being called that! Helen, as she asked us to call her, had stayed with my husband and I, and we arranged to arrive early in Metchosin and spent the extra minutes driving her out to the location of the Quarantine Station of which Dr. Watt had been the Superintendent and where the family had lived from 1897 until 1913. A minimum security Institution now occupies the site, but just a short distance outside the gates are some apple trees, the remaining trees from and old orchard. Dr. Watt was know for his prize winning apples. First Mrs. Shanks spoke about the difficulties Mrs. Watt would have encountered in managing her role as the first President of ACWW as opposed to those to be dealt with today – particularly those in travel and communications, and then went on to talk about the organization today, and some of the more general matters and recent happenings.
After the official ceremonies concluded, it was difficult to move the dignitaries to the site of the plaque, as all those in attendance wanted to speak with them. But out we went, with umbrellas we fortunately did not need, and after a few words, the plaque was unveiled by Mrs. Shanks, ably assisted by Kyara Kahahauwilla. A photo session followed and then return to Council Chambers for refreshments and more conversation.
The plaque and site are being well cared for by the Metchosin Municipal grounds crews and we hope visitors to the Victoria area will make this short side trip and visit the site.
Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute
