jackman

Queensland’s 15th Governor was also it is longest-serving. Sir Leslie Orme Wilson was no stranger to Australia. His wife, Winifred, was a Sydneysider, and Sir Leslie met the future Lady Wilson while he was serving as an Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Harry Rawson. Wilson had even visited Queensland at the invitation of Lord Chelmsford, and enjoyed duck shooting in the coastal country! A decorated soldier who had fought at Gallipoli and in France, he served as Governor of Bombay before being invited to take up the role of vice-regal representative in Queensland. Wilson was an energetic and pragmatic patron of many worthy causes, including the Queensland Society for Crippled Children (today known as Montrose Therapy & Respite Services). But he is best remembered for driving the foundation of the Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme, now known as BUSHkids, to help country children with serious medical needs. Since its creation, BUSHkids has helped more than 42,000 Queensland children and their families. Wherever he traveled throughout the State, from large regional cities to the tiniest township, Wilson encouraged the local historical societies in their work. On opening the John Oxley Memorial Library in 1934, he reflected that the preservation of history is “… a duty which this generation owes to the past, to the present and certainly to the future”. Once war broke out, Wilson made short films to encourage Queenslanders to support the Red Cross Prisoner of War Street Adoption Scheme. He even affixed a sign to the front gate of Fernberg stating “This Street Supports a Prisoner of War”. He attended patriotic meetings and Red Cross meetings and spoke with the authority of a veteran about the war to an anxious Queensland. His first term of office was extended until 1942 and his tenure extended again through the war years, until 1946. At his farewell, 2,000 Boy Scouts and Girl Guides were assembled to form an outline of the map of Queensland. Queenslanders were sad to see their affable and popular Governor and his wife leave Government House. Source: www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/media/73000/45624-government-hous...

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Wooden Rowing Shells, and we'd love to have this added to the group!