Nambour Museum exhibition celebrates local women’s achievements

The finishing touches are being put in place for an exciting new display at Nambour Museum that commemorates notable women of the district.

To coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, volunteers are collating a fresh exhibition that will showcase local trailblazers from diverse backgrounds and professions. These inspirational women include the first teachers at our district’s small one-teacher schools, the early midwives, war veterans and Nambour’s first female shopkeeper Elizabeth Perren.

Local history author and former schoolteacher Barbara Want said many of the Sunshine Coast’s first teachers were single women who emigrated from Ireland.

“Mary Hennigan, who trained at The Model School in Country Sligo, was one of the earliest. She taught at the Maroochie School from 1881 until 1888 and was described as a fine horsewoman who was perfectly attuned to the bush,” Mrs Want said.

The Maroochie School was the first to be established and was located at Parklands, between Nambour and Yandina. Often referred to as the Lemon Tree School, it was a forerunner to the Maroochy Provisional School, established in 1891, and later the Nambour State School, opened in 1898. Another early school was Nambour Rural School, which operated from 1917 to 1930.

Mrs Want said the Nambour Museum building was previously the headmaster’s residence at the first Nambour State School,  in Mitchell Street before being rebuilt in Carroll Street in 1930.

As well as our educational past, museum visitors can find out about ex-army nurses Sister Christine Oxley and Sister Dorothy Ralston, who in 1947 set up Selangor Private Hospital using a £3000 war service loan and their own personal savings.

Sister Oxley had been a prisoner of war in Malaya and was imprisoned in the Selangor war camp, which is where the hospital derived its name. Sister Ralston saw active service in Singapore, and was fortunate to be evacuated just before Singapore fell to the Japanese armed forces.

The 24-bed hospital was originally located in a converted residence near the Church of England Hall in Currie Street, and comprised several wards, an operating theatre, and a nurses’ quarters underneath. In 1960, the modern 34-bed Selangor Hospital was opened in Netherton Street, with Matron Margaret Woodside at the helm.

Other local achievers include WWII Bombardier Nell Howard who served in the Australian Women’s Army Service as an anti-aircraft gunner in the artillery section. Nell lived in Howard Street and was a descendent of Nambour pioneers Thomas and Catherine Howard.

The interesting display is one of many in the historic building and will run until the end of April. The Nambour Museum is open Wednesdays to Fridays from 1pm to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. School children can visit for just $1, and adults for $5.

Local history author, Barbara Want helps put together an upcoming Nambour Museum display featuring early midwife, Martha Bade