Mary Prior
St Joseph's Catholic Church at Helidon was filled to capacity for the recent funeral of Mary Prior. Among the mourners was a busload of deaf people and an interpreter to convey the Mass to them by sign language. Mary Prior was matron of the Edith Bryant Hostel for the deaf for 19 years. She communicated with the people by talking to them with her hands. When the hostel was rebuilt, a section of the new complex was named the Mary Prior Centre by the Governor of Queensland, in recognition of her services to the Queensland Deaf Society. She was born Mary Catherine Gorman on March 2, 1914, the day the foundation stone was laid for St Joseph's in Helidon. Her father was at the ceremony when someone brought word from the post office that his first daughter had been born in Brisbane. She was a first-day pupil of the Carpendale State School, and after attending high school in Brisbane found employment during the Depression at the Helidon railway refreshment rooms. When she was 20 she married Francis Ambrose Prior and lived at Rockmount until 1966. At the age of 52, when most people are considering retirement, she took on the challenging job of running the hostel for about 60 handicapped people. When she retired, aged 71, to Toowoomba, she taught English to newly arrived migrant people. She also read to people at Salem Rest Home and was on call to act as a deaf interpreter for hospitals and doctors. Her husband predeceased her in 1956 and her eldest son, Frank, in 1985. She is survived by four children and 19 grandchildren.
Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 3 November 1993.
A hard and challenging life
Amy PURCELL
Like so many who lived on the land in the earlier years of this century, Amy Purcell, who died on January 19, 1998, aged 77, had a life that was often hard and challenging. Born Amy Evelyn Donaldson on March 7, 1921, at Carisbrook Private Hospital in Goondiwindi, she was the sixth of nine children of Andrew and Ethel Donaldson of Rock View Gradual in the Talwood-Weengallon area. When Amy was 11, her mother, who had suffered repeated ill-health, died, and Amy and her sister Nellie had to run the homestead and look after her older brothers and the younger three children. On November 1, 1942, Amy and William Alfred Purcell, a young station hand labourer, were married in Holy Trinity Church, Goondiwindi, and their elder son Alfred Albert was born in September 1943. The couple bought Lee Rossie, a property at Inglewood, where severe drought and an accident which left Alf unable to walk meant Amy did all the work, milking, ploughing and so on. They eventually sold the property and moved to Coolum Beach, buying shares in farms in that and the Maryborough areas. After returning to the bush, their daughter, June Barneath, was born in 1958, and, after Alf obtained a position at Glen Ray, Goondiwindi, William Maxwell was born in September 1964. The family moved around over the years but Amy was always "mum" to everyone she met and would always help anyone less fortunate than herself. She nursed her husband, who had advanced skin cancer, for many years before his death at Caloundra in 1993. During the last years of her life, Amy's own health was failing and she became totally reliant on oxygen, coming from a machine she dubbed her silent partner. She was taken to hospital after a fall and passed away after developing complications with her heart, kidney and lungs. She is survived by her sons and daughter and their families, and one grandchild.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba, on 19th February 1998
Mary Suzanne Penfold by MERRYL MILLER
Susie Penfold, pioneering journalist, respected writer, and renowned gardening expert, died in Toowoomba this week aged 69. She will be remembered both in the Toowoomba community and nationally as a woman of remarkable achievements with a passionate and independent approach to life. Mary Suzanne (Susie) Penfold was born in Toowoomba to parents Fredrick and Nancy on February 4, 1932. She grew up with sisters Jane and Sofie on her parents' sheep and cattle property in Texas, and received her secondary education at the New England Girls School in Armidale. Although offered a sholarship to continue study at the Univerty of New England, Susie chose instead to travel for several years throughout Australia and overseas. Life was an adventure for Susie, and from very early on it was obvious she would march to the beat of her own drum. It was upon her arrival back in Australia at Susie began the career in which she would make such an impact. Her obvious talent as a reporter and social editor with the Downs Star newspaper led to Susie joining The Sunday Mail in Brisbane in 1957 as a women's page writer. It was in the field of women's and fashion writing that Susie gained renown nationally, following her appointment to The Courier Mail newspaper in 1959. As a fashion judge at the 1965 Melbourne Cup, she covered one of the fashion scoops of the 20th century, witnessing the debut of Jean Shrimpton's famous mini-skirt. Susie was one of the first women in Australia to be appointed to a sub-editorial role, a position she took on with The Courier-Mail in 1972. In 1976, she became the women's editor of the newspaper. These appointments heralded positive change for women in the journalism industry, and while Susie did not call herself a feminist, she was determined to see a shift in the status quo. One of the greatest contributions Susie made during her career was as a role model for young female journalists, teaching them to be enquiring, accurate, and to establish their right to be counted in the workplace. She was also one of the few women of this era to serve on the male-dominated committee of the Australian Journalism Association, holding the position for eight years. News coverage of women's affairs underwent a significant transition during the years of Susie's editorial tenure, with Susie pioneering the advent of lifestyle news as it is now known. Former Courier-Mail editor Mr Kev Kavanagh said: "Susie led the way in the abolition of the 'women's news' label, and saw family issues move into their rightful role in the general news and features sections." Susie had all the qualities of a good journalist: she was independently minded, extroverted, forceful, and could mingle with anyone. According to colleagues however, there was a streak of the bohemian in Susie, who loved nothing more than a good party. She was a legendary hostess, associating with such luminaries as Maggie Tabberer and Trent Nathan, and when you were invited to one of Susie's famous soirees at Spring Hill, you knew you'd really made it. While Susie's calling in life was writing, she nevertheless pursued other interests with that same passion for which she became well known. In 1978 she turned down an offer to become the editor of Vogue magazine, eager to explore new challenges. Opting for early retirement, she travelled extensively throughout Australia with her mother, a woman she regarded as one of her closest friends. The pair were intrepid, venturing off the beaten tourist track in search of adventure, with Susie becoming an avid wild flora photographer in the process. The impressive collection of West Australian wild flower slides she built up over this time has been bequeathed to the University of Southern Queensland. Susie's talent as a writer was too great for the industry to ever completely allow her to retire however, and in the 1980s, she wrote profile features and entertaining gardening columns for both Toowoomba's Chronicle and Brisbane's Daily Sun newspapers. Her interest in gardening also motivated her to initiate, establish and maintain Toowoomba's Green Week festivities during this time. Working with Mr John Osborne, the manager of the Toowoomba Tourism and Development Board, Susie used her organisational and publicity skills to generate interest and funding for the event. Green Week was a hugely successful venture, running for over 10 years, and attracting both national and international visitors to the city. Mr Osborne said that the success of Green Week would not have been possible without Susie's enthusiasm, fierce loyalty, and expertise. The achievements of Susie Penfold have impacted many people in the local community and within the journalism industry. She endeared herself to those she met with her gracious manner and fun-loving nature, and she is highly respected for her endeavours. Susie is survived by her sister Jane, with whom she shared a strong friendship throughout her life.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 20 August 2001.
Susie Penfold
Respected Toowoomba journalist Susie Penfold died aged 69, on Tuesday. Ms Penfold, who worked for The Chronicle and the Downs Star during her career, was highly regarded nationally as both a journalist and editor. Born in Toowoomba, Susie grew up on her family's property in Texas, and attended the New England Girls School. Travel beckoned after graduation, and Susie spent many years travelling extensively throughout Australia and overseas. Her career as a journalist began when she took a job as a cadet reporter and social editor with the Downs Star, and in 1957 she moved to Brisbane to join The Sunday Mail as a women's page writer. It was in her role as fashion writer with The Courier-Mail, a position she accepted in 1959, that Susie made her mark nationally. One of her biggest scoops came courtesy of Jean Shrimpton and her now famous mini-skirt, at the 1965 Melbourne Cup, where Susie was working as a fashion judge. Susie's career with The Courier-Mail included roles as both the Fashion Editor and Women's Editor, and in 1972, she became the first woman to work as a subeditor for the newspaper. Turning down the opportunity to become editor of Vogue magazine, Susie opted for early retirement in order to pursue her love of travel, photography and gardening. She continued writing as a freelance journalist for both The Chronicle and the Brisbane Daily Sun newspapers, and was a driving force behind the establishment of Toowoomba's Green Week during the city's Carnival of Flowers celebrations. A funeral service for Susie Penfold will be held tomorrow at St Luke's Cathedral, beginning at 2pm.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 16th August 2001
John Charles PLAYFORD
1957 - 2001
John Playford will be remembered not only for his role as a councillor on Pittsworth Shire Council, but as a committed and involved member of the community he had adopted as his own. His death in October at age 44 both shocked and saddened the townpeople, who paid tribute to his outstanding achievements as a civic leader, worker, and family man.
Born in Ipswich on 5 July 1957, John Charles Playford was the youngest of five children born to Kevin and Joy. John's father Kevin, a bank manager with the Bank of New South Wales, died when John was aged 11.
John decided to follow in his father's footsteps and entered into banking upon finishing school. It was while working in the main Toowoomba branch of the National Bank in 1979 that John met the woman he would eventually marry, Colleen Hook.
Meeting Colleen, who worked in the Pittsworth branch of the National, brought John to a crossroad in his career. He knew that if he stayed with the bank he would possibly be transferred away from the area, so he decided to throw in his bank job, and try his hand at life in the country.
Colleen and John were married in November 1980, and John began work at McLeans, a poultry breeding farm. For a born-and-bred city boy, this was a big lifestyle change. When being interviewed for the position, he was asked whether he had any agricultural experience. John replied, "Yes, I once helped a bloke load a trailer with hay." He got the job anyway, and despite his hands being completely blistered for the first few weeks, went on to eventually become production manager of the breeder/hatchery section. John worked at McLeans for 21 years.
John is remembered as a laconic man, who amused many in the community with his questionable attempts at sport. He managed to break his arm while playing touch football, break his ankle while jumping a creek at a school camp, and preferred to do donuts in a golf buggy than actually take a swing with a club.
John also enjoyed taking the mickey out of people, and displayed his great bravery at State of Origin time each year by supporting the Blues and ragging the Maroons' revered King Wally. In March 2000 John ran for, and was elected to, Pittsworth Shire Council. He topped the poll in his division, testament to the esteem in which he was held in the community. Although he served only a short time as a councillor, he brought to the position the same dedication for which he was renowned. John saw his role as a civic leader as an opportunity to help others, and took great satisfaction in meeting the challenges he faced. To those who didn't know him well, John came across as a quiet, well-groomed man. He did have a wonderful sense of humour however, and his reputation as a smartly dressed operator was apparently a slow transition. Colleagues at McLeans tell of John's attendance at his first national poultry conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Brisbane. Not one to be intimidated by the big occasion, John made his entrance dressed in stubbies, T-shirt, thongs and sunnies.
Never was John's caring and kind manner more obvious than when he was with his children. Ashley, Jacinta, and Simon were the lights of his life, and he took great pleasure in spending time with them in his most rewarding role as a father. John Playford, a man who touched many in the Pittsworth community, died suddenly on 31 October, 2001. He is survived by his wife Colleen, and their three children.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba, December 6th 2001
Passionate community member
Born: August 25, 1956
Died: June 22, 2002
Sally Parnell was one of those people who helped to keep traditional crafts alive. A keen quilter, baker, and letter-writer, Sally also found the time to immerse herself in community activities, her family, and the church.
Born in Adelaide, Sally Anne and her twin sister Kathy were the youngest of six children to Ken and Joan Campbell (nee Klopper). She attended school in Adelaide, and from an early age showed great sporting talent as a golfer and netballer, ultimately selected as a member of the South Australian Women's Junior Golf squad. Sally was a born organiser and teacher, and there seemed little doubt as to her future career choice. In 1978, she graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the Sturt Teachers College, and a year later married Greg Parnell, an Airport Inspector with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, whom she had met four years earlier. Sally's first teaching job was at Masterton North School in New Zealand, where she and Greg enjoyed touring, and then for another two years at Seymour College in Adelaide. In 1981, Sally and Greg travelled across Europe for four months, and upon their return decided to settle in Darwin. Their eldest two children Ian and Lisa were born in Darwin, as was a shared family love of camping. Another child Anna was born when Sally and Greg returned to Adelaide in 1987, but the cold weather convinced them to move back north after only a year. This year was an important time for the Parnell family however, as they learned sign language in order to better communicate with Lisa who was born hearing impaired. Townsville was the family's home from 1988 to 1993, before a final shift to Toowoomba. Sally loved Toowoomba, and quickly became involved in community life. With her particular interest in special needs education, Sally taught hearing impaired students at primary and secondary schools, and at the local TAFE College, and was an active member of the P & C Associations at her children's schools.
Sally was passionate about camping and the environment, and was involved with the Friends of the Escarpment Parks group. She was also a talented quilter, who enjoyed meeting with her quilting friends including those from the 'Quirky Quilters'. Other interests in Sally's full life included a love of cooking, involvement in the Rangeville Uniting Church, and letter-writing, never giving up on her less enthusiastic correspondents.
Sally Parnell died in Toowoomba of cancer aged 45. She is survived by her two brothers and three sisters, her mother Joan, husband Greg, and her three children. Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba, 24th August 2002.
MERYL PATTERSON
Meryl the backbone of her community
Born: November 8, 1912
Died: November 13, 2002
Meryl Patterson was one of those women who form the backbone of any community -- hard-working and involved in the many endeavours necessary to keep hearth and home alive.
Born in Clifton, Meryl Beatrice was one of two daughters born to Walter and Beatrice Ernst, who farmed "Parklands" at Back Plains. Meryl attended the Back Plains School, while her sister Joy, who had been inflicted with severe polio, went to the Clifton Convent, but the pair were always close until Joy's death in 1976. Meryl worked on the farm until her marriage to Allan Patterson in 1929 at Clifton, when the pair pioneered a dairy and small crop farm at Canungra at the beginning of the Great Depression. A daughter was born at Canungra, but after three years the family headed to Sandy Camp, where the Depression continued to make life tough.
While Allan frequently had to make ends meet by working away from home splitting posts, Meryl had three more children and ran the dairy farm, Eventually they were forced off the farm, but Allan found work at the Clifton Council. Meryl also turned to dressmaking to supplement the family income, while caring for her fifth child. She also cared for her parents in the latter years of their life, as well as two grandchildren, whose mother had died. In 1964 Allan died, and Meryl spent the next 30 years on her own. She kept herself busy maintaining friendships and nursing her brother-in-law in the years prior to his death. When aged almost 80, Meryl developed macular degeneration, losing all but 5% of her vision -- a bitter blow to a woman who loved sewing, craft work and reading. She was lonely, but continued her involvement with the Anglican Church in any capacity she could.
Failing mobility and blindness forced Meryl out of her family home, where she had lived for 60 years, and into the Nirvana hostel. Meryl Patterson was 90 when she died in Clifton. She is survived by four of her five children, Alwyne, Richard, Warner and Christopher, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba January 29th, 2003.
'Curly' committed to community work
Born: June 10, 1909
Died: April 16, 2002
Herbert (Martin) Pearson spent his entire service during World War II on the tough battlefields of New Guinea, an experience he was reluctant to revisit in his later life. Known universally as "Curly", he is remembered in Toowoomba as an active and committed community worker.
Born in Tingha, near Inverell, Herbert Martin was one of seven children to Herbert and Hilda Pearson (nee Arentz). He attended Guyra State School, where he displayed a talent for many different forms of sport, including bike riding, rugby league, and running. Martin's love for the game of rugby league continued unabated throughout his life, and was often a hot topic of discussion in his household.
On Boxing Day 1941, Martin enlisted in the army, and following training was sent immediately to the war in the Pacific. He spent 733 days working as a driver in New Guinea, and it was here, in true Australian fashion, that his prematurely bald head earned him the nickname Curly. Martin was discharged from the army in December 1945, but the name of Curly was to remain with him for the rest of his life. Returning to Australia, Martin joined Ethel in Mallanganee in northern New South Wales running a grocery store, but eventually the pull of Toowoomba proved too strong. For more than 48 years, Martin and his family called this city home. Working at Walton's furniture store in Ruthven Street was Martin's final job before retirement. He became actively involved in community endeavours following his retirement, and even more so after the death of his wife Ethel in 1990. He delivered Meals on Wheels until he was aged 90, driving his own vehicle to the homes of the recipients, many of whom were younger than Martin himself. He also enjoyed playing indoor bowls, spending time with his family, going on picnics, and taking long walks.
Although Martin did not often discuss his wartime experiences, he remained in close contact with his fellow veterans, and was proud to be a member of both the RSL and Anzac Day commemorative events. His love of rhyming slang is remembered by both his family and friends, as is his particular fondness for Minties. Martin Pearson was 92 when he died at home in April this year. He is survived by his two children, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Published in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 23rd May 2002.
Obituaries Index
Toowoomba Dead Persons Society
