Kenny, Elizabeth (1880–1952) by Ross Patrick
This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 9, (MUP), 1983
Elizabeth Kenny (1880-1952), nurse, was born on 20 September 1880 at Warialda, New South Wales, daughter of Michael Kenny, farmer from Ireland, and his native-born wife Mary, née Moore. She received limited education at small primary schools in New South Wales and Queensland. There is no official record of formal training or registration as a nurse. She probably learned by voluntary assistance at a small maternity hospital at Guyra, New South Wales. About 1910 Kenny was a self-appointed nurse, working from the family home at Nobby on the Darling Downs, riding on horseback to give her services, without pay, to any who called her. In 1911 she used hot cloth fomentations on the advice of Aeneas McDonnell, a Toowoomba surgeon, to treat symptomatically puzzling new cases, diagnosed by him telegraphically as infantile paralysis (poliomyelitis). The patients recovered. Kenny then opened a cottage hospital at Clifton.
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Munro, Grace Emily (1879–1964) by Jillian Oppenheimer
This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, (MUP), 1986
Grace Emily Munro (1879-1964), a founder of the Country Women’s Association, was born on 25 March 1879 at Gragin, Warialda, New South Wales, second of seven daughters of George Hollinworth Gordon, grazier, and his Victorian wife Eliza Frances, née Macdonald. She was educated by governesses and at Kambala school, Sydney. An accomplished horsewoman, she could drive a buggy at a gallop as well as any man. She was also a good shot, an expert needlewoman and a knowledgeable gardener.
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Fitzpatrick, Aileen (1897–1974) by Kerry Regan
This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 14, (MUP), 1996
Aileen Fitzpatrick (1897-1974), community worker, teacher and social work educator, was born on 17 August 1897 at Warialda, New South Wales, daughter of native-born parents Stephen Thomas Fitzpatrick, schoolteacher, and his wife Julia, née Hamilton. Educated at public schools in the country and at Sydney Girls’ High School, Aileen passed the Leaving certificate in 1915. She studied classics at the University of Sydney (B.A., 1919) and was employed by the Department of Education.
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Lawson, Aubrey (1914–1977) by Peter White
This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15, (MUP), 2000
Aubrey Lawson (1914-1977), motorcycle rider, was born on 5 April 1914 near Warialda, New South Wales, second son of native-born parents John Stafford Lawson, grazier, and his wife Blanche Ethel, née Atkins. In 1924 the family moved to Sydney. On leaving Naremburn Junior Technical School, Aub worked in the Postmaster-General’s Department as a telegraph messenger (from 1929) and motor driver (from 1936). In 1933 he joined the Australian Corps of Signals, Militia. read more
Cleal, Noel (1958–) Second Row 1983-1989
A powerhouse centre/second row forward from Warialda. ‘Crusher’ Cleal first came to prominence playing on the wing for Northern Division against Great Britain in 1979. Noel Cleal had captain-coached Wondai to a premiership in Qld, represented Wide Bay and then Country NSW while playing for Scone. Cleal came to Sydney to play for the Roosters from Sawtell in 1980, playing centre in the grand final loss to the Bulldogs.
