Clem Jones oral history project

This interview is with Sister Angela Mary Doyle who grew up in County Clare, Ireland, the middle child of nine children. Shortly after arriving in Australia at the age of 21, Sister Angela Mary began working at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, South Brisbane.

Sister Angela Mary speaks about her early life in Ireland and the experience of saying goodbye to her family and moving to Australia to serve God. She discusses her ministry at the hospital including the twenty-one years she was Administrator of the hospital, and the challenges that faced the Sisters, the hospitals and their patients all along the way. Sister Angela Mary's stewardship and determination saw her become a nationally recognised and respected public figure.

Sister Angela Mary's ministry work brought her into contact with the then Lord Mayor Clem Jones during the 1974 Brisbane floods, and they discovered a shared belief in community welfare, integrity, and the importance of getting things done without fuss or fanfare. The lasting friendship and respect they shared is evident in this interview.

John Duncan is a former Brisbane City Council employee and board member of the Camp Hill Carina Welfare Association. He grew up in Brisbane, completing his primary and high school education there. After finishing school, he undertook a Fitting and Turning apprenticeship with Brisbane City Council, after which he earnt a Diploma of Engineering by attending night school. Throughout this time, he remained employed with the Council.

By the early 1960s, John was stationed at the East Brisbane depot within the water supply and sewerage branch. Over time, he advanced to become the Southside Assistant Superintendent, based in Coorparoo. John developed a deep appreciation for the work and ethos surrounding water supply and sewerage, which was driven by the ambitious vision of Clem Jones. Jones, as Mayor, was renowned for his firm leadership and determination to expand Brisbane's sewerage system citywide.

Reflecting on his time under Clem Jones, John describes him as a tough leader who commanded respect and was effective in achieving his goals.

Bill Kitson, retired curator of the Museum of Lands, Mapping, and Surveying at 317 Edward St in Brisbane, has extensive knowledge of the professional collection of surveys and maps donated by Clem Jones to the museum.

Originally from North Queensland, Bill attended Brisbane Grammar School as a boarder. He pursued a career in surveying at the University of Queensland because he didn't speak a second language, a requirement for many other degrees, and because he enjoyed outdoor work.

After graduating, Bill worked for many years with the Department of Lands. When the department proposed moving him from fieldwork to a managerial role, Bill declined. Instead, he and some colleagues seized the opportunity to establish the Museum, where Bill has served as curator and historian ever since.

Mary McLeigh served as Clem Jones' personal secretary during his tenure as Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

Originally born in Bavaria, Mary's mother was a Prussian refugee and her father an American soldier. After World War II, Mary experienced various living arrangements, including staying with her mother in England, residing in an orphanage, and living with relatives. She was eventually adopted by a New Zealand couple based in England and later moved with them to New Zealand.

At 21, Mary and her husband immigrated to Australia and settled in Brisbane. She pursued secretarial studies and in 1968 became the personal typist for the Lord Mayor. Mary initially felt awestruck and somewhat intimidated by Clem due to his VIP status and her unfamiliarity with civic affairs.

During her years working closely with Clem, Mary found him to be a demanding and meticulous employer. The staff who remained loyal were those who could handle the fast pace and pressure of his office environment. In her interview, Mary provides an insider's perspective on life within Clem Jones' administrative circle.

Daphne Pirie is a former sportswoman and a founder of Womensport Queensland, she was born in Brisbane in 1931 into a sporting family and showed exceptional talent in sports from a young age. As a teenager, she held approximately 40 sporting titles across various codes and disciplines.

In her early career, Daphne worked as a children's sports coach in regional towns across Australia. In 1958, upon marrying, she could no longer engage in paid employment. Undeterred, Daphne began coaching amateur women's hockey on the Gold Coast, eventually transitioning into sports administration. She became a proud coach and advocate for women's sports. It was through her involvement in sports that Daphne first met Clem Jones in the early 1950s.

Throughout their long professional relationship, Clem supported Daphne in establishing organisations that promoted women in sports. Reflecting on her time with Clem, Daphne acknowledges him as a role model, sharing their passion for all sports, particularly women's sports, and recognizing the positive impact sports participation has on youth. She held Clem in high regard for his fairness, sportsmanship, and approachable demeanor.

Wendy Stewart is a former housekeeper to Clem and Sylvia Jones. She grew up in Wynnum as one of eleven children in a very low income but happy family. After finishing school there, she trained as an apprentice tailor in Brisbane city, a role she held until she had her first child. With her husband being a successful accountant, Wendy didn't need to work outside the home.

Through a series of coincidences, Wendy became the housekeeper for Clem and Sylvia Jones. Initially, Wendy didn't warm to Clem and preferred to avoid him. In contrast, she found Sylvia to be delightful from the beginning and this impression stayed with her.

Over time, Wendy's feelings toward Clem softened, as she explains in this interview. However, she felt he didn't fully grasp the challenges faced by people with children, expecting his staff to always be available. They had an unspoken agreement to steer clear of discussions about religion or politics.

In the interview, Wendy reminisces about life at the Jones' home in Camp Hill, including the famous Wednesday tennis club and the various notable visitors who frequented the house.

Dianne Morton, the eldest of four children, grew up in Warwick. Her father had a close friendship with Clem Jones through the Queensland University Cricketers' Club. Throughout her childhood, Dianne knew Clem as 'Uncle Clem' and remembers him fondly as cheerful, kind, and a special person. After moving to Brisbane for college, she often visited Clem and Sylvia at their mayoral offices in City Hall.

Geoff Morton, born in Brisbane, joined the navy in 1961 and served until 2000, achieving the rank of Naval Commander. He was last stationed on the HMAS Brisbane 2 and later served as Naval Attache in Washington. Geoff first met Clem and Sylvia Jones through his wife Dianne, and their bond deepened over Geoff's naval career. Geoff recalls Clem as a man with a clear vision and a sharp, curious mind.

Geoff and Dianne both participated in the famous Wednesday afternoon tennis sessions hosted at Clem and Sylvia's home in Camp Hill for many years. They also reminisce about the Jones' annual Christmas parties, which drew a diverse crowd of 300-400 people each year. They describe Clem as a leader who led by example, focused on getting things done and serving the community rather than partisan politics. Clem aimed to make a meaningful impact through his political role.

This telephone interview with Marjorie Godfrey, aged 103, takes place from her home in Perth.

Marjorie was born on a cotton farm in Dawson Valley, Central Queensland. Her mother, a primary school teacher, was adamant that Marjorie pursue a university education rather than marry a farmer.

In 1934, Marjorie moved to Brisbane, becoming one of the few women at the time to attend the University of Queensland. She pursued an arts degree with a specialization in mathematics. Marjorie first encountered Clem Jones at a university ball. They briefly became engaged due to their shared passion for mathematics.

After graduation, their paths diverged, but they maintained a strong friendship, and Marjorie collaborated with Clem on various projects throughout his life. She remembers Clem as a highly accomplished man who was always in a rush. Marjorie also acknowledges Clem's forward-thinking approach, particularly in transforming surveying into a viable commercial practice.

Douglas Porter was born in 1944 in Carlisle, UK, to working-class parents. He attended primary and grammar school in Carlisle before studying politics and economics at Durham University, graduating in 1965. He began his career as an Administrative Assistant at Birmingham University, where he worked for 14 years.

In 1986, Doug's career took him to Australia where he became the Secretary Registrar at the University of Queensland, overseeing its administration until his retirement in 2009.

Doug was also an accomplished sportsman, excelling in rugby, cricket, squash, hockey, and soccer. In Australia, he captained the vice-chancellor's cricket team at UQ. Doug was familiar with Clem Jones due to his legendary status and his role as the self-appointed curator of UQ's number one cricket oval, which, under Clem's guidance, became one of Brisbane's premier playing fields.

At UQ, Doug and Clem collaborated on various initiatives, including Clem receiving an honorary degree, establishing a sporting scholarship, and funding the restoration of the boardroom in Customs House.

Doug remembers Clem Jones as a man who valued philanthropy and understood the significance of universities. He describes Clem as modest and unassuming, yet resolute and determined when pursuing his goals.

John McKnoulty was born in Beaudesert, Southeast Queensland, in 1932, and grew up on a dairy farm near Maclean Bridge. His early years were influenced by the Australian Army's presence on his family's farm and later by operating a nearby kiosk owned by the American Army.

From a young age, John had a passion for cricket. By the early 1950s, while living in Brisbane and working at the law firm McCulloch Robertson, he became involved with the Queensland Cricket Club, eventually joining its executive membership. It was through this club that John first crossed paths with Clem Jones, both serving on the executive council simultaneously. They shared a keen interest in corporate entertainment and eventually teamed up for business ventures in this growing industry.

John was also an accomplished tennis player and regularly participated in the Wednesday tennis sessions held at Clem and Sylvia Jones' residence in Camp Hill.

Reflecting on Clem Jones in this interview, John describes him as a brilliant individual with whom he had a close professional and social relationship.

Graham Andrews, born and educated in Brisbane, excelled as a rugby league player both during and after high school. After graduating, he moved to Western Queensland for work while continuing to play rugby. During this time, Graham built a successful career in sales before becoming a publican in the late 1960s. He managed hotels and clubs in Charleville for many years.

Known for his active role in rugby and community leadership, Graham transitioned from playing rugby to administrative roles within local football clubs. In 1985, this involvement led him to become a local government councillor and eventually the shire chairman for Murweh Shire Council.

During his tenure as shire chairman, Graham faced significant challenges, notably during the severe flood that hit inland Queensland and New South Wales in April 1990. The entire shire, including Charleville, was severely affected. In his interview, Graham provides firsthand insights into the events as they unfolded, recounting the efforts of townspeople, officials like himself, and the aid flown in from Brisbane. He also discusses the post-flood recovery efforts and the rebuilding process in the shire.

Clem Jones, who had previously chaired the Cyclone Tracy Reconstruction Commission in Darwin in 1975, played a pivotal role in the reconstruction efforts in Murweh Shire. He collaborated closely with Graham during this time, cementing their friendship and professional partnership. Later, in late 2003, Graham returned to Brisbane, where together with Clem, he oversaw the development of the Strikers Football Club.

Wal Dann, Ray Evans, and Clem Jones initially connected through their shared passion for soccer, also known as football.

Wal, born in Brisbane in 1940, grew up in a working-class family with three brothers, enjoying a carefree upbringing filled with freedom and friendship. Their sporting journey began at the Thistle Soccer Club in Grange. After school, Wal worked at Queensland Treasury and the Audit Office while studying at night to qualify as an accountant. His involvement with the Grange Thistle soccer club's executive committee at age 21 marked the start of his extensive club management career.

Ray, born in Brisbane in 1943, also had a joyful childhood with his two sisters around Red Hill, frequently playing near Ithaca Creek where the Broncos clubhouse was later built. Despite having rheumatic fever as a child, Ray began playing soccer in 1964 while stationed in Darwin with the RAF. Upon returning to Brisbane, he joined the Bardon Latrobe Football Club and was elected as its secretary.

Wal first met Clem Jones in the late 1960s during his tenure as president of the Grange Thistle club. He invited Clem to assess a proposal for expanding the club and Lanham Park grounds. Ray, on the other hand, met Clem at a party for foundation members of the Queensland Soccer Federation (now Football Queensland).

In their interview, Ray and Wal discuss the significant changes in the local, state, and federal soccer scenes from the mid-1960s to the late 1980s. These changes included the development of Perry Park and the Strikers Football Club, as well as the establishment of the Queensland Soccer Federation and its management trust. They fondly recall Clem's hands-on approach to community life, his charismatic storytelling, and his generosity toward the less fortunate.

They also reflect on Clem's enduring soccer legacy, which continues to influence the sport despite his passing.

Yvonne, originally from Camden, NSW, grew up in a musical family. Despite winning a music scholarship, she pursued nursing in Sydney in 1955 under family pressure. She gained experience treating trauma patients from the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme.

In 1959, Yvonne married and, as was typical then, left paid work to raise children. In 1963, she and her husband trained as Salvation Army Officers. They moved to Brisbane, where he became assistant manager at Indooroopilly Boys' Home. Yvonne balanced family life with part-time work at Clem and Sylvia Jones' Shangri-La Function Centre and Motel.

By 1979, Yvonne managed the Bulimba Hostel, an aged and disabled residential facility owned by Clem Jones. She recalls Clem's hands-on approach and dedication to residents' dignity and freedom of choice. She believes Clem's legacy will benefit Brisbane, especially its children, for years to come.

This interview is conducted from Darwin, Northern Territory by phone. 

Grant Tambling, born in Queensland in 1943, grew up in a family where both parents were teachers. After World War II, they moved to Darwin, where Grant received his education in the Northern Territory and South Australia.

His career spanned three levels of government, beginning with community art programs that impressed local politicians and led to his involvement in local government. In 1975, following Cyclone Tracey's devastation of Darwin, Grant, then serving in the NT parliament, was recruited to the Darwin Reconstruction Commission. There, he worked closely with Clem Jones, who became Chairman later that year. Grant later became a federal MP.

In an interview, Grant praises Clem for his effective leadership during a critical time, bringing people together regardless of party politics. Clem ensured community representation and facilitated crucial decisions that shaped the recovery efforts.

Rob Francis, born in January 1929 on a farm in Brisbane Valley, was one of four boys. During World War II, he completed primary studies via correspondence and attended Churchie in Brisbane for high school. His early interest in surveying led him to become a cadet surveyor after finishing school.

While pursuing his cadetship, Rob crossed paths with Clem Jones, who offered him a job. However, Rob chose to work with another surveyor while attending night classes taught by Clem's father, Ted Jones, in surveying and mathematics. Rob discusses the evolution of surveying in Queensland from the 1940s to the 1960s, including the shift from imperial to metric systems.

Rob and Clem collaborated on projects such as rebuilding Coronation Drive and constructing Land Street, Toowong, after the 1974 Brisbane floods. Rob highlights Clem's impact on surveying, attributing it not just to technical skill but also to elevating the profession.

In this interview, Rob recalls Clem's 1961 mayoral campaign, noting Clem's mathematical prowess and skills as a billiards player, shared through a humorous story about a game at Tattersalls Club with Clem and his father. He describes Clem as focused and notes the importance of a particular personality and perfectionism in surveying.

Mark Rigby, raised in Brisbane, developed a passion for astronomy from a young age, sparked by a solar system chart and early space exploration events like the first spacewalk and Mars flyby in 1965. Encouraged by his parents, he joined the Astronomical Society of Queensland in early 1967 and began speaking publicly about space during primary school.

Mark pursued diverse university studies and became a science writer, including writing for the Courier Mail. After an unsuccessful initial application, he managed a national science competition for Australian student experiments on space shuttles, leading to his eventual 36-year tenure as assistant and then curator at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Clem and Sylvia Jones were pivotal in the planetarium's development at Mt Coot-tha, securing council support despite the project's costs and contributing to the adjacent Botanic Gardens' establishment. Mark met Clem during this time and maintained contact after Clem's tenure as Lord Mayor.

In this interview, Mark credits Clem's background in surveying and keen interest in astronomy for the planetarium's success, acknowledging Clem's significant role in its establishment.

Barry was born in Brisbane in December 1934. His early memories include the excitement, patriotism and culture of the post war years, with access to many opportunities in work and education. Barry's dad was principal at a technical training college and his mum worked as a telephonist at the Post Master General's department. The family lived in Coorparoo, where Barry and his siblings were all immersed in the culture of teaching via their dad.

After finishing school, Barry went to the University of Queensland and graduated as a teacher, a path he shared with his siblings. He moved to North Queensland and worked as a history subject master at Ayr Home Hill High School. He played first-grade cricket, and professional rugby league for the Ayr Home Hill club. 

Barry saw the change in education curricula throughout the 1950s and 1960s, particularly the academic erasure of history. Involved in writing curriculum and academic texts, Barry experienced these changes first-hand.

Barry and Clem, who had met through the Queensland Cricketers Club, would often argue over socialism, but despite their differences Barry and his family were regularly invited to the Jones' home, and over time Clem became a source of close support and advice especially during milestones such as Barry's growing professional and financial success, and the passing of his father.

Barry also talks extensively about Australian test match cricketer Greg Chappell and their personal and professional relationship over many years which led to Barry co-founding Australia's first sports management company in the 1970s. Following this Barry co-founded the Brisbane Broncos in 1987, and says that through accident rather than design he has been involved in the integration of sports and finance since the late 1950's.

Barry recalls Clem Jones' ecumenical and inclusive leadership style, contrasting it to leaders and politicians today.

This interview was conducted over the phone from Lutz's home in Darwin. Originally from Germany, Lutz immigrated to Australia with his family in 1954, settling in Adelaide where he attended high school. By the early 1970s, Lutz was living in Darwin and working in the tourist industry. He actively promoted Darwin and organized community events, including building the first boat for the inaugural Darwin Beer Can Regatta in June 1974, sponsored by Swan Breweries.

When Cyclone Tracey devastated Darwin in December 1974, the community rallied together. The success of the 1975 Regatta reflected this spirit, and in November that year Clem Jones was appointed to head the Darwin Reconstruction Commission by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, less than a week before his government was sacked by Sir John Kerr.

Clem opened the Regatta that year and met Lutz. Together, they conceived the Can-Tiki expedition, using a boat made from beer cans to sail from Darwin to Singapore. Clem recognized the expedition as a marketing opportunity to showcase Darwin's proximity to Asia.

Valmae was born in 1950 as the middle child of five, and grew up with her family and grandfather in Mt Gravatt before moving to nearby Holland Park. She first heard of Clem Jones in connection with the installation of sewers in her neighbourhood, and recalls her childhood as a happy one with strong family ties. Valmae's mother worked at a boarding hostel and her father was a minister of religion. After they married, her parents ran a successful commercial cleaning business, and then bought into guest houses, sparking Valmae's later interest in the hospitality industry.

Valmae was educated at her local state schools and then Mt Gravatt High School, leaving at year 10 to go to Kerr's Business College in Brisbane, followed by employment at Tattersalls Club.

Valmae often helped out her mother at the boarding houses in South Brisbane, doing the catering, cleaning etc which led to her getting a job at the Treasury Hotel's bistro where she met Lew Cooper, secretary of the Queensland Cricketers Club in the early 1970s. Through cricket, Valmae then met Clem Jones and began a part-time role at the Cricketers Club for 6 years. 

After her last child was born in early 1979, Valmae started at The Jones' Shangri-La Reception Centre in Wynumn, marking the beginning of a long career working closely with Clem and his wife Sylvia.

Valmae's insights into Clem include his strong, kind, and multifaceted personality, while Sylvia is described as elegant, charming, loving, and loyal.

Jim, aged 94 during the interview, was born in Stanthorpe where his father served as superintendent of a veteran's hospital before relocating to Brisbane to oversee Rosemount Hospital in Windsor. Raised alongside three siblings, Jim's family encouraged all their children to pursue higher education, with three out of four studying medicine or dentistry.

He attended Windsor State School and Brisbane State High School during World War II, reminiscing about Brisbane's wartime atmosphere, including threats, restrictions, and university entrance quotas. Jim spent six years studying, predominantly at UQ's Herston campus before serving nearly a year as an assistant in Wondai in Western Queensland. His responsibilities were significant due to the doctor's prolonged absence, who was recovering from the wartime and post-war demands. Subsequently, Jim moved to Winton, facing the challenges of remote practice with minimal support from services like the Flying Doctors. Ansett ANA's assistance in flying patients and nurses to Brisbane was invaluable during this time.

During his university years, Jim joined the University of Queensland Cricket Club, and served as its secretary, which provided him access to major events at venues like the Gabba and introduced him to influential figures such as Clem Jones. Jim recalls Clem's effective leadership style as club president, characterised by vocal and thorough management of meetings.

Following his time in Winton, Jim established a long-term practice in Coolangatta until his retirement. Nowadays, he enjoys tending to his acreage garden and playing golf in his leisure time.

Tony Dell, born in England in 1945, immigrated to Australia with his family in the early 1950s. He developed a passion for cricket at age 11, inspired by the 1956 Ashes tour. Tony attended the Church of England Grammar School (Churchie), known for its top-notch facilities in Brisbane during the late 1950s and 1960s. By 1961, he was playing first-grade cricket for the school and continued at the University of Queensland after graduating.

In 1965, Tony was conscripted for National Service and served in Vietnam, where his experiences laid the groundwork for his later advocacy and founding of the PTSD support group Stand Tall for PTS. To cope with his own PTSD after the war, Tony immersed himself in his advertising career and cricket, including playing for the Australian team.

Following his retirement as Lord Mayor, Clem Jones invited Tony to join the Queensland Cricketers' Club Board, marking the beginning of an interesting relationship between them. Tony also reminisces about Clem's time as a groundsman at the Gabba during Tony's Australian Test matches, sharing insightful stories of their interactions.

Robyn was born in 1965, spending her early years on two islands—Dent Island in the Whitsunday Passage and Boobie Island northwest of Thursday Island—due to her father's role as a lighthouse keeper. The family returned to Brisbane when Robyn was four so her older sister could attend school.

In Brisbane, Robyn's mother worked as a TAB agent, while her father transitioned to the merchant navy as a shipwright. Robyn and her sister attended school in Wynnum, both leaving after Grade 10 to help support the family. Robyn worked at the old CBA bank for 14 years, leaving when she became a mother.

Living in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane, Robyn was familiar with Clem Jones and heard various stories about him, some true and some not. In 2000, she began working for Clem as a bookkeeper in the office under his Camp Hill house, alongside other administrative staff often referred to as Clem's 'harem'. During this period, she witnessed Clem's later years, and his participation in networking events such as the Christmas party, Crackerjack Carnival and Ball, and Wednesday afternoon tennis matches. She also recalls Clem's final days and the impact on his inner circle.

Reflecting on her time with Clem, Robyn emphasises his consistent respect and loyalty towards his staff once they earned his respect. She describes Clem as an extraordinary man from whom she learned a great deal.

Graham Jones - no relation to Clem - was born in Brisbane in 1937, he grew up in Eagle Junction and went to the local state school followed by the Church of England Grammar School (Churchie) for high school. 

Graham remembers Brisbane as a very small city, not a lot to it. It was very 'village' like with a suburban mindset, very friendly, an excellent public transport system with an extensive and efficient network of trams. 

While Graham was a student at Churchie, Clem Jones' father 'Buck' was also a teacher there. Through the influence of his high school physics teacher, and because he was fortunate to win a state fellowship to study science and education at university, Graham became a physics teacher and academic. 

After graduation he taught at Cavendish Road High School followed by five years' teaching in California as part of a Fulbright Scholarship. This led to him doing his Masters degree at San Diego State University and then his PhD at Indiana University. In this interview Graham talks about the differences between students and the education system in Australia and the US.

Graham shares many interesting stories of the changes in the education system in Australia in the years following his return from the US. He also talks about the many connections he shared with Clem, including their shared friendship with Marjorie Godfrey who he worked with at Cavendish Road High School and who was briefly engaged to Clem Jones. 

They also shared a love of cricket, and played together and were both members of the Queensland Cricketer's Club. Graham knew Clem over many years and got to witness him in different roles and environments; he remembers Clem as a man with an extraordinary drive for getting things done, extremely bright and personable, and he took Brisbane from a small town to a very liveable city.

Greg was interviewed over the phone from his home in Adelaide, South Australia. He grew up in a cricket-loving family, where both sides had a strong tradition of playing first-grade cricket. Even as early as age two, Greg remembers batting in the hallway of their home. His father, a skilled coach, and his older brother Ian, whom he idolised, played pivotal roles in his development. Their backyard served as their test pitch, where Greg learned valuable lessons that would later apply to real test matches.

Reflecting on his early days in cricket, Greg recalls his first experience at the Gabba in 1961, playing for a schoolboy team, and reminisces about the practices and memorable test matches held there. In his late teens, Greg ventured to the UK to play county cricket, marking his initial foray into a paid sporting career, albeit modest by today's standards.

In 1973, Greg relocated to Brisbane to captain the South Brisbane Cricket Club. He found the city vibrant and burgeoning, attributing much of its growth to the transformative tenure of Lord Mayor Clem Jones, in the preceding years. Outside his cricketing career, Greg juggled full-time managerial work and occasional paid endorsements, which were a relatively new concept in sport at that time.

Greg knew of Clem as a prominent figure in cricket administration as Chair of the Cricket Trust at the Gabba, a committee member of Queensland Cricket Association, and a representative on the Australian Cricket Board. During the 1980's, Greg became a member of the Board and he shares many insightful stories about Clem and the administrative politics of cricket in Queensland and Australia. Greg's tenure as captain was marked by improvements in selection policies and cricket pitch standards. Clem's proactive efforts, including the 'red scheme' and dedicated groundskeepers, significantly enhanced facilities across club grounds, nurturing talented young cricketers in Queensland. Greg also delves into the evolution of professional cricket and emphasises the roles of women and youth in the sport.

Since the 1970s, Greg has been actively involved in philanthropy, notably establishing the Chappell Foundation for Homeless Youth. His commitment to community service stems from his upbringing and family values, reflecting his deep-seated desire to leverage his sporting success for the greater good.

Perry Bartlett, Emeritus Professor at the Queensland Brain Institute, was born in 1948 and grew up in Melbourne's suburban stability during the 1950s and 60s, where AFL football and the 1956 Olympic Games were significant cultural events.

Despite minimal familial influence, Perry pursued university education with enthusiasm, emphasising the importance of first principles in education—grounding in subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry. His academic journey began after a dentistry locum in Mildura, bridging his dental degree with a PhD focused on immunology and tissue rejection.

Post-PhD, Perry and his family moved abroad, first to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and then to University College in London, where his confidence grew in challenging established scientific beliefs, particularly regarding the brain's functions.

Returning to Australia, Perry conducted pioneering research on brain stem cells at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, culminating in his founding of the Queensland Brain Institute in 2003. This institute has been pivotal in exploring neurobiology and advancing clinical applications for brain-related diseases.

He speaks passionately about QBI's inception, its infrastructure development, and the critical philanthropic and governmental support that sustained its growth. Perry highlights Clem Jones's transformative bequest for stem cell research and acknowledges the Clem Jones Group's ongoing contributions.

Reflecting on QBI's achievements, Perry underscores their groundbreaking discoveries in cognitive decline and dementia, facilitated by robust scientific methodologies and large-scale data analysis.

Maurice, born in 1947 and raised in the Camp Hill area, recalls his early years amidst abundant bushland and wildlife. During that time, Brisbane was still a small city. Maurice attended the local state school and later Cavendish Road High School. Both of his parents were war veterans; his father and paternal grandmother were involved in the medical field, exposing Maurice to medical discussions from a young age. This exposure greatly influenced his decision to pursue a career in medicine.

Maurice's parents separated when he was young. His mother managed a corner store in Camp Hill, situated among farms. The store specialised in selling groceries, agricultural products, and garden supplies.

As a child Maurice was great friends with a boy whose father was Clem Jones best friend and neighbour.  It was through this connection that Maurice first met Clem and this connection was renewed in Maurice's adulthood.

In this interview Maurice, who is a trustee of the Clem Jones Estate, shares many stories of Clem and Sylvia Jones' personal and professional lives including Clem's association with the University of Queensland, his first political campaigns, and the influence of his parents especially his father Ted Jones. Also featured are stories about Sister Angela Mary Doyle and Sir Don Bradman. Maurice also discusses the work that Clem's estate is doing now including in the area of voluntary assisted dying legislation.

Maurice also describes Clem's wife Sylvia Jones' kindness and devotion to Clem as well as her shared friendship and professional association with Marjorie Johnstone, a well known art gallery owner and curator in Brisbane at that time. 

Maurice describes Clem as an intelligent, fair and respectful man who listened to other people's point of view, he was a great networker and had an ability to get any task done by overcoming bureaucracy and knowing the right people to involve in the job.