THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE NAMES OF THE SPORT HOUSES
CURRAN
Margaret Curran was born in 1887 at Colinton Head Station, Queensland. She developed an interest in literature at an early age, and for forty-five years she was a leader writer on the “Produce's Review".
Mrs Curran was a foundation member of the Ladies' Literary Society, and in 1931 she became President, a position which she held for thirty one years. She played and active in the Silver Jubilee of the Society in 1938. In 1948, Mrs Curran launched a nation wide appeal to erect a cairn for Steele Rudd (Arthur Hoey Davis) at Drayton. In 1952, Mrs Curran moved that a memorial be erected to A.G. Stephens, the Toowoomba born literary critic of “The Bulletin" fame. She was also responsible for the inclusion of a literary section in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. Known as “The Bay Wreath", this was the champion award for the art of speech, and was later known as “The Margaret Curran Memorial Prize" for the best short story. Mrs Curran died in 1962, and the Society erected a bronze plaque in the “Literary Corner" of the Toowoomba Municipal Library. During her term as President, she was untiring in her efforts to promote literature and culture. Her work includes over two hundred essays, six hundred leading articles, twelve one-act plays and a collection of verse. The following lines present a reflection on her career as a poetess and an active member of the community:-
“A song so sweet and clear,
To charm the world's dull ear".
Curran House honours Toowoomba's most famous 'lady of letters'.
KENNY
Elizabeth Kenny, born in 1886 at Warialda, N.S.W. Elizabeth Kenny received her fame in the area of poliomyelitis treatment. She trained as a nurse in Sydney, qualifying in 1911. While working in a bush hospital, she encountered her first outbreak of polio. This nursing was interrupted by World War I, where she served as a transport nurse, developing a carrying method which immobilised patients without the use of splints.
She returned to Australia after the war and in 1933 established a clinic at Townsville with Queensland Government backing. She then set up other clinics in Eastern Australia and England. Her work was retarded in the late 1930's by two public enquiries which discredited her approach.
In 1940 she did a lecture tour through the United States where her theories were widely accepted. The Elizabeth Kenny institute was established at Minneapolis in 1942 after her tour. She spent the rest of her life in the USA and achieved many honorary degrees.
At the time of her death in 1952, the value of her work was still widely disputed but her life's research stimulated development of the Salk and Sabin Vaccines.
Kenny House is proud to draw their name from such a famous humanitarian as Elizabeth Kenny.
SWARTZ
The inspiration for the christening of Swartz House has come from a gentleman who has led both a noteworthy and admirable career, Colonel the Honourable Sir Reginald Swartz, KBE, MBE, JP, MBIM.
Sir Reginald was born in Brisbane, 14th April, 1911. He attended Toowoomba East State School and then attended both Toowoomba and Brisbane Grammar Schools. During this time he enjoyed football, cricket, tennis and later athletics and sailing. He then went out to obtain Commercial, Technical and Army qualifications and to become a member of the British Institute of Management.
From 1928 - 1940 Sir Reginald served the Australian Citizen Military Forces with the rank of Captain and then from 1940 – 1945 served in the Australian Imperial Forces with the rank of Major. He served in the 2/26 Infantry Battalion, 8th Division, and was a POW for 3½ years in Malaysia, Singapore, Burma and Thailand including a full period of forced labour on the Thailand-Burma Railway.
In 1948, Sir Reginald re-entered the A.C.M.F. serving a period as A.Q.M.G. Northern command, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1961. Sir Reginald was also appointed first Honorary Colonel of the new Army Aviation Corps in 1968, serving until 1974.
Sir Reginald served at different periods between 1949 and 1972 on nine Government Organisations, being President of the Australian Minerals Council and the River Murray Commission. He has also been Patron, Vice-President and a member of 63 public organisations. He retired from parliamentary and ministerial activities in 1972.
THOMPSON
Warwick born Duncan Thompson became one of the most outstanding performers of Toowoomba's galaxy of talent, as a Rugby League half-back in the 1920's.
After leaving school in Warwick, he joined the Bank of Commerce in Ipswich and enlisted in the forces from there. He served in France and while there, was wounded, shot through the chest. He came home a cot case and was told he would never play football again. But he trained strenuously and regained his strength. He married in 1920 and later represented Australia and went to England and New Zealand twice with the Rugby League teams. He joined the Commonwealth Bank in Sydney, and after two years resigned and decided to open a sports store in Toowoomba. He coached and captained the Toowoomba Rugby League Team, which was undefeated by all comers for many years.