Eliza ‘Granny’ Scholz

‘Granny’ Scholz ran a private hospital at 89 Adams St Cootamundra from 1894 and at this site, as Emily Bradman’s midwife, delivered Donald George Bradman on 27 August, 1908.

Eliza Ellen Scholz was of Irish descent and a vital member of the Cootamundra Community. As the town’s midwife she had a very important responsibility towards the mothers and babies of the district and clearly held the community’s respect. When Don Bradman returned from the all-conquering 1930 Ashes Tour the media somehow located the 85 year-old who was visiting her daughter in the Sydney suburb of Petersham. She was quoted at the time;

‘Bless my heart and soul, I brought the little chap into the world. It was at my hospital Irena in Adams St, Cootamundra. Don was always a good boy, and a bonny baby. He was a sturdy little chap…His father was a great cricketer, too, but never had a real big chance.’

Eliza Scholz died in 1939 aged 93 and is buried at Cootamundra.