Lorna Church papers

Lorna Isabel Church BEM; F R Hist S Q. (Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.): Lorna Isabel Doherty was born in Ipswich, Queensland, on 18th May 1927, to Violet Ida Edith Doherty and Robert Crawford Doherty. Following her education at Ipswich Girls Grammar School, Lorna was recommended by the headmistress for a job as a doctor's receptionist. She married Norman Alwyn Church on 20 December 1947 at St Paul's Church of England, Ipswich. In January 1949, the couple moved to Warwick, so that Alwyn could start work at Scots College, where he remained until 1975. Following the birth of their daughter Janet in 1949, the couple built a new home at 4 Yangan Road, Warwick. Their son William was born in 1953. Lorna's first community involvement was with the establishment of the Warwick Kindergarten in 1953. She was also very active in the CWA and took classes of religious education in Central, East, West and Glennie Heights during the 1960s and 1970s. She was involved with the inception of Meals on Wheels in Warwick serving as treasurer for eight years and a committee member for sixteen years. In 1978 Lorna was Warwick's Quota Woman of the Year. When Janet became a Brownie in 1957, a new area of commitment had begun, with Lorna's involvement in Girl Guides. She was appointed as the Western Queensland Division Regional Commissioner, visiting Guide communities and coordinating training for leaders. Lorna was also a member of the State Executive of Girl Guides. She initiated training for Commissioners, and was a recipient of a Training Diploma herself. Her love of the west led her to visit Charleville to help the community after the devastating floods in 1990. Lorna gave more than 25 years of her life to the Warwick Historical Society, and was President during a time of growth, which included the purchase of property adjoining Pringle Cottage in 1987. She was an Honorary Life Member of the Warwick Historical Society and her research led to her being recognised as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland in 1990. In 2016, Lorna was made an Honorary Life Member of the Killarney Historical Society. Her involvement in the Heritage committee contributed to many Warwick properties being heritage listed and retained. In later years she enjoyed welcoming visitors to the city, speaking on bus tours and bringing history to life. In 1994 the Heritage Trail for the Warwick General Cemetery was written by Lorna and Glen Locke. She was also a fellow of the Royal Society of St George and a member of the Red Cross. Alwyn's membership of the Masonic Lodge involved Lorna in research and functions concerning the local masonic lodges. Her award, in 1987, of the British Empire Medal recognised her vast community service and in 2008 she was included as one of the local community heroes featured in a Warwick City calendar. Lorna Church died on 24 July 2019.