1940s

Key date

Saturday 1 October 1949: The Foundation Stone for the St Lucia campus was laid.

Explore This Decade

1942 Eeyore
1942Eeyore
In mid-1942, a stone sculpture titled The Fawn, by Leonard Shillam, was presented to the College. A site was chosen in the College garden, where a few months later the sculpture was placed onto a concrete base fixed into the ground. It was immediately christened ‘Eeyore’ by the residents because it looked like a fairytale character.
1946 Women's in the news
1946Women's in the news
This article is from the Maryborough Chronicle published on Saturday 9 November 1946. The article is about how funds were required to build the new Women’s College site at St Lucia, on The University of Queensland’s campus. The story detailed how the College had grown since it opened in 1914, and outlined the potential to name rooms after generous donors who had already contributed to the Building Appeal.
1947 Margaret Piddington
1947Margaret Piddington
Margaret Piddington was Principal of The Women’s College from 1947 to 1958. Unlike her predecessor, Freda Bage, who had been a keen motorist, Margaret Piddington had no car, and the College did not provide one. Her method of transport was Itsy-Bitsy, a Lambretta motor scooter (pictured).
1947 Commencement Procession
1947Commencement Procession
Submitted by Ruth Landsberg (alumna 1978 – 1980)

Pictured is a Commencement Procession; the photo is from alumna Jessie Landsberg’s archives. Jessie resided at Women’s from 1945 to 1947. Her handwritten caption says: “Commem Procession – 1947: – Z. Burnett, G. Woolnough, R. Callow, M. McKay, A. Murray, L. Lightbody (back), D. Taylor, M. Warland, P. Tuffley, C. Williams”. Everyone in the photo was a resident of the College in 1947.

During her time at The Women’s College, Jessie studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Queensland from 1945 to 1947. Following graduation, Jessie became an English teacher with a love for theatre and Shakespeare’s work.

Up until her death in August 2023, Jessie was The Women’s College’s oldest living alumna, at 96 years of age.
1948 At Home
1948At Home
Pictured are residents Tess O’Rourke-Brophy (1945 – 1948) and Joan Hollingsworth (1948 – 1950) with friends in the principal’s sitting room for a Women’s At Home function.
1948 Unusual fundraising
1948Unusual fundraising
The article in this photo (unknown source) details one of the more unusual fundraising efforts undertaken. Four Siamese kittens were sold by the Principal, Margaret Piddington, to raise funds for the College’s Building Appeal.
1949 Foundation Stone
1949Foundation Stone
Queensland Premier Ned Hanlon laid the foundation stone for The Women’s College at St Lucia on 1 October 1949 (pictured).
1949 Women's in the news
1949Women's in the news
This article (source unknown) is about the laying of the Foundation Stone at the College's St Lucia site.

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1942Eeyore

In mid-1942, a stone sculpture titled The Fawn, by Leonard Shillam, was presented to the College. A site was chosen in the College garden, where a few months later the sculpture was placed onto a concrete base fixed into the ground. It was immediately christened ‘Eeyore’ by the residents because it looked like a fairytale character.

1946Women's in the news

This article is from the Maryborough Chronicle published on Saturday 9 November 1946. The article is about how funds were required to build the new Women’s College site at St Lucia, on The University of Queensland’s campus. The story detailed how the College had grown since it opened in 1914, and outlined the potential to name rooms after generous donors who had already contributed to the Building Appeal.

1947Margaret Piddington

Margaret Piddington was Principal of The Women’s College from 1947 to 1958. Unlike her predecessor, Freda Bage, who had been a keen motorist, Margaret Piddington had no car, and the College did not provide one. Her method of transport was Itsy-Bitsy, a Lambretta motor scooter (pictured).

1947Commencement Procession

Submitted by Ruth Landsberg (alumna 1978 – 1980)

Pictured is a Commencement Procession; the photo is from alumna Jessie Landsberg’s archives. Jessie resided at Women’s from 1945 to 1947. Her handwritten caption says: “Commem Procession – 1947: – Z. Burnett, G. Woolnough, R. Callow, M. McKay, A. Murray, L. Lightbody (back), D. Taylor, M. Warland, P. Tuffley, C. Williams”. Everyone in the photo was a resident of the College in 1947.

During her time at The Women’s College, Jessie studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Queensland from 1945 to 1947. Following graduation, Jessie became an English teacher with a love for theatre and Shakespeare’s work.

Up until her death in August 2023, Jessie was The Women’s College’s oldest living alumna, at 96 years of age.

1948At Home

Pictured are residents Tess O’Rourke-Brophy (1945 – 1948) and Joan Hollingsworth (1948 – 1950) with friends in the principal’s sitting room for a Women’s At Home function.

1948Unusual fundraising

The article in this photo (unknown source) details one of the more unusual fundraising efforts undertaken. Four Siamese kittens were sold by the Principal, Margaret Piddington, to raise funds for the College’s Building Appeal.

1949Foundation Stone

Queensland Premier Ned Hanlon laid the foundation stone for The Women’s College at St Lucia on 1 October 1949 (pictured).

1949Women's in the news

This article (source unknown) is about the laying of the Foundation Stone at the College's St Lucia site.