COMMUNITY NEWS - Nambour Museum celebrates local women

To coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, volunteers are collating a fresh exhibition at Nambour Museum  that will showcase local trailblazers from diverse backgrounds and professions.

These inspirational women include the first teachers at the 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 (pictured) 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 - 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.

Museum visitors can also find out about brave 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.

Other local achievers include WWII Bombardier Nell Howard, who lived in Howard Street and was a  descendent of Nambour pioneers Thomas and Catherine Howard. 

The 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.