B1909
At 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s 1925-1926
Throughout her career, Muriel Wilson was a committed and active community member making contributions to health education and the welfare of women and children. In 1977, Muriel was awarded an OBE for her services to women’s organisations.
Born in Essex, England, Muriel was educated in Australia at Somerville House, and the Convent of Mercy in Cooktown before attending 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s.
She trained as a nurse at St Martin’s Hospital in Brisbane where she received her General Certificate and later received her Midwifery Certificate at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Muriel worked as a nursing sister at St Ives’ Hospital, Melbourne, and in Brisbane at St Martin’s Hospital. Coincidentally, the school’s founders, the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, undertook ministry at the St Martin’s Hospital. Muriel was also a Matron at Wesley College in Melbourne.
After a brief hiatus from nursing to raise her two daughters, Muriel took on community activist roles within the National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ), as Associates Convener (1964-1968), Health Convener (1968-1975) and as President 1968-1972. Through her work with NCWQ, Muriel was also a member of the Queensland Health Education Council for ten years.
Muriel was Chairman of the Women’s Committee for the Captain Cook Bicentenary Celebrations in 1970.
She was a foundation life member of the Family Planning Association of Queensland from 1971 to 1981 and was one of three members on the Queensland Daylight Savings Committee in 1973 where she represented Queensland women.
Other associations included member and State Chairman of the Australian Freedom from Hunger Campaign, President of the Clayfield College Parents and Friends Association, life member and State President (1983-1992) of the Queensland Bush Nursing Association and Lyceum Club member. Muriel was also a member of the Consumer Affairs Council for nine years and Chairman for six of these years.
She presented a paper on “The Underprivileged Consumer” at the International Organisation of Consumer Unions Conference in London in 1978.
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