In this section
Monday November 7, 2011
After many years in planning Cancer Council Queensland has launched its new $3 million accommodation lodge for South West Queensland cancer patients receiving treatment in Toowoomba.
The lodge has been named in memory of Olive McMahon, a local education pioneer who survived breast cancer in the 1960s and died in 2010 at age 87, leaving more than $1 million to Cancer Council Queensland.
CCQ’s CEO, Professor Jeff Dunn, said Miss McMahon’s bequest would provide a major boost for South West Queenslanders affected by cancer.
“Thousands of patients will benefit from Olive McMahon’s generosity.
“We kindly thank Olive McMahon’s family, the Donaldsons, who have honoured Olive’s Will to ensure her legacy lives on.
“Thousands of regional cancer patients will receive the Cancer Council’s vital support because of this special bequest.”
Member for Toowoomba North attended the opening of this vital facility for Toowoomba locals.
“The Queensland Government is committed to providing more services closer to home for Toowoomba patients.
“I’m proud that the construction of this lodge has been assisted by a $3 million grant from the Queensland Government’s three-year $15 million Regional Patient Accommodation Scheme to purchase the facility for refurbishment.
“This fantastic scheme supports facilities such as the Olive McMahon lodge which will provide care and support for people living with cancer in our local community.” Mr Shine said.
Prof Dunn also acknowledged other major supporters including the Heritage Building Society, combined Rotary Clubs of South West Queensland, Felicity’s Wish and Toowoomba Classic Autos, among others.
“These organisations raise the charitable spirit of the local community and strengthen our capacity to fight back against cancer.
“The launch of the lodge is a great boost for regional cancer patients, a great achievement for Toowoomba, and a great outcome for the people of South West Queensland.”
Olive McMahon’s sister, Fran Donaldson, attended the launch.
“Olive was a breast cancer survivor and a passionate volunteer for the Cancer Council,” Ms Donaldson said.
“We are pleased to honour her Will to support the vital work of Cancer Council Queensland and are proud that the Lodge has been named in her memory.
“She would be satisfied to see the proceeds from her estate being used to help cancer patients in this way.”
Prof Dunn said while the Cancer Council would spend about $500,000 in annual running costs, patients would not be charged to stay at the lodge.
“With the new Toowoomba lodge, Cancer Council Queensland will spend well over $1 million each year to run accommodation lodges statewide for regional cancer patients.
“Our statewide network of lodges gives regional patients better access to life-saving cancer treatment and support services, such as cancer counselling.
“The Olive McMahon Lodge will make an important contribution to improving cancer survival for South West Queenslanders.”
The Olive McMahon Lodge has 20 self-contained rooms and can accommodate 42 people at any one time, providing a total number of 15,330 bed nights each year for patients and carers.
The lodge features common areas, such as a communal kitchen and laundry, and recreational space for residential activities. Cancer Council Queensland is still seeking sponsors for rooms, furniture and ongoing operating costs.
Donations can be made online via www.cancerqld.org.au or by phoning CCQ’s Toowoomba office on 4690 5800.
ENDS.
ABOUT OLIVE MCMAHON
“Surviving cancer rapidly helps clarify one’s priorities! Who wants to waste a moment of bonus time?!”
Olive McMahon 1923-2010
Born in Roma in 1923, Olive McMahon had a lifelong passion for education and music. Her academic studies and professional dedication established her reputation as an early childhood education pioneer in Queensland.
On her father's death in 1924, Olive’s mother moved with her two young daughters, Olive and her 6 week old sister Fran, back to her family’s sheep property in the South West region of Queensland. They lived with Olive’s uncles, the Gordon brothers, at Myall Park, Glenmorgan, where Olive spent the first nine years of her life. Her early education was at East Toowoomba State School, followed by Fairholme College. In 1941 she began studying at Brisbane Kindergarten Training College. With the Second World War underway, the Training College was closed and Olive joined the Australian Women’s Army Service (Signals) where she reached the rank of lieutenant. She served until her discharge in 1945 and then recommenced her early childhood training, graduating in 1947 with a diploma of kindergarten nursery teaching.
In 1959 Olive was awarded the Alice Creswick Scholarship to undertake post graduate study at the University of London. She completed an advanced certificate in child development, specialising in music with young children. During a diverse career Olive shared her passion for music education through roles in Queensland, Western Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
In 1969 Olive was diagnosed with breast cancer, an experience which led her to volunteer for Cancer Council Queensland. Olive overcame breast cancer and went on to use her own experience to help others.
Olive continued her passionate commitment to education by completing a master’s degree in special education at James Cook University in 1976, and went on to hold several senior lecturing positions in Brisbane until her retirement in 1988. By then she was acting head of the School of Early Childhood Studies at what is now the Queensland University of Technology.
Her lifetime of dedication and learning has been honoured by many prestigious professional acknowledgements, including acknowledgement for her contribution to early childhood music education by the International Society of Music Educator’s Early Childhood Commission at their World Conference in 1992.
Olive died on 3 May 2010. Her love of life and devotion to others enriched the lives of all who met her. She is survived today by her sister Fran, and her beloved nieces and nephews, who are also friends of Cancer Council Queensland.
In preparing her Will, Olive formalised her passionate commitment to Cancer Council Queensland by entrusting us with funds from her estate. Her sizeable gift enables CCQ to continue its vital work today, in pursuit of its vision for a cancer free Queensland.
CCQ is proud to honour the legacy of Olive McMahon and are grateful to be the beneficiary of the Olive McMahon estate.
For more information, please contact:
Anne Savage, Chief Communications Officer
3634 5241 or 0417 709 869
After many years in planning Cancer Council Queensland has launched its new $3 million accommodation lodge for South West Queensland cancer patients receiving treatment in Toowoomba.
The lodge has been named in memory of Olive McMahon, a local education pioneer who survived breast cancer in the 1960s and died in 2010 at age 87, leaving more than $1 million to Cancer Council Queensland.
CCQ’s CEO, Professor Jeff Dunn, said Miss McMahon’s bequest would provide a major boost for South West Queenslanders affected by cancer.
“Thousands of patients will benefit from Olive McMahon’s generosity.
“We kindly thank Olive McMahon’s family, the Donaldsons, who have honoured Olive’s Will to ensure her legacy lives on.
“Thousands of regional cancer patients will receive the Cancer Council’s vital support because of this special bequest.”
Member for Toowoomba North attended the opening of this vital facility for Toowoomba locals.
“The Queensland Government is committed to providing more services closer to home for Toowoomba patients.
“I’m proud that the construction of this lodge has been assisted by a $3 million grant from the Queensland Government’s three-year $15 million Regional Patient Accommodation Scheme to purchase the facility for refurbishment.
“This fantastic scheme supports facilities such as the Olive McMahon lodge which will provide care and support for people living with cancer in our local community.” Mr Shine said.
Prof Dunn also acknowledged other major supporters including the Heritage Building Society, combined Rotary Clubs of South West Queensland, Felicity’s Wish and Toowoomba Classic Autos, among others.
“These organisations raise the charitable spirit of the local community and strengthen our capacity to fight back against cancer.
“The launch of the lodge is a great boost for regional cancer patients, a great achievement for Toowoomba, and a great outcome for the people of South West Queensland.”
Olive McMahon’s sister, Fran Donaldson, attended the launch.
“Olive was a breast cancer survivor and a passionate volunteer for the Cancer Council,” Ms Donaldson said.
“We are pleased to honour her Will to support the vital work of Cancer Council Queensland and are proud that the Lodge has been named in her memory.
“She would be satisfied to see the proceeds from her estate being used to help cancer patients in this way.”
Prof Dunn said while the Cancer Council would spend about $500,000 in annual running costs, patients would not be charged to stay at the lodge.
“With the new Toowoomba lodge, Cancer Council Queensland will spend well over $1 million each year to run accommodation lodges statewide for regional cancer patients.
“Our statewide network of lodges gives regional patients better access to life-saving cancer treatment and support services, such as cancer counselling.
“The Olive McMahon Lodge will make an important contribution to improving cancer survival for South West Queenslanders.”
The Olive McMahon Lodge has 20 self-contained rooms and can accommodate 42 people at any one time, providing a total number of 15,330 bed nights each year for patients and carers.
The lodge features common areas, such as a communal kitchen and laundry, and recreational space for residential activities. Cancer Council Queensland is still seeking sponsors for rooms, furniture and ongoing operating costs.
Donations can be made online via www.cancerqld.org.au or by phoning CCQ’s Toowoomba office on 4690 5800.
ENDS.
ABOUT OLIVE MCMAHON
“Surviving cancer rapidly helps clarify one’s priorities! Who wants to waste a moment of bonus time?!”
Olive McMahon 1923-2010
Born in Roma in 1923, Olive McMahon had a lifelong passion for education and music. Her academic studies and professional dedication established her reputation as an early childhood education pioneer in Queensland.
On her father's death in 1924, Olive’s mother moved with her two young daughters, Olive and her 6 week old sister Fran, back to her family’s sheep property in the South West region of Queensland. They lived with Olive’s uncles, the Gordon brothers, at Myall Park, Glenmorgan, where Olive spent the first nine years of her life. Her early education was at East Toowoomba State School, followed by Fairholme College. In 1941 she began studying at Brisbane Kindergarten Training College. With the Second World War underway, the Training College was closed and Olive joined the Australian Women’s Army Service (Signals) where she reached the rank of lieutenant. She served until her discharge in 1945 and then recommenced her early childhood training, graduating in 1947 with a diploma of kindergarten nursery teaching.
In 1959 Olive was awarded the Alice Creswick Scholarship to undertake post graduate study at the University of London. She completed an advanced certificate in child development, specialising in music with young children. During a diverse career Olive shared her passion for music education through roles in Queensland, Western Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
In 1969 Olive was diagnosed with breast cancer, an experience which led her to volunteer for Cancer Council Queensland. Olive overcame breast cancer and went on to use her own experience to help others.
Olive continued her passionate commitment to education by completing a master’s degree in special education at James Cook University in 1976, and went on to hold several senior lecturing positions in Brisbane until her retirement in 1988. By then she was acting head of the School of Early Childhood Studies at what is now the Queensland University of Technology.
Her lifetime of dedication and learning has been honoured by many prestigious professional acknowledgements, including acknowledgement for her contribution to early childhood music education by the International Society of Music Educator’s Early Childhood Commission at their World Conference in 1992.
Olive died on 3 May 2010. Her love of life and devotion to others enriched the lives of all who met her. She is survived today by her sister Fran, and her beloved nieces and nephews, who are also friends of Cancer Council Queensland.
In preparing her Will, Olive formalised her passionate commitment to Cancer Council Queensland by entrusting us with funds from her estate. Her sizeable gift enables CCQ to continue its vital work today, in pursuit of its vision for a cancer free Queensland.
CCQ is proud to honour the legacy of Olive McMahon and are grateful to be the beneficiary of the Olive McMahon estate.
For more information, please contact:
Anne Savage, Chief Communications Officer
3634 5241 or 0417 709 869
