Miss Margaret Mcfarlane

Miss Margaret McFarlane became Matron of Ipswich Hospital in 1967, a position she held for 26 years, after being Deputy Matron since 1961 . She was the last person to be employed with the title of Matron. In the early 70s it was changed to Director of Nursing. Margaret began her training in Ipswich in 1946 and graduated in 1950. The following year she gained her midwifery certificate, and later her certificate in Eye and ENT nursing at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in 1959 and her Maternal and Child Welfare certificate in 1961-72 in Brisbane. She also nursed in Tasmania. Miss Macfarlane was awarded a Diploma in Nursing Administration and a Fellowship from the College of Nursing (Australia). She retired in 1993 and in 1994 received the Queensland Chapter's Distinguished Nursing Service Award. She has been Councillor for Queensland (1965), President (1969-70), Secretary (1970-84) and Censor-in-Chief (1978-1979).

Miss Macfarlane was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 1995 Australia Day honours for services to nursing.