Valerie Winifred Munro

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie and her twin sister Frances were born 3 months premature in Chatswood on the 30th October 1926. Surviving such a premature birth, even for these days. Valerie and Frances were the first born children of parents Edgar Gainford Munro ("Poss" or "Gain") and Clara Louisa Munro (nee Willis). Gain and Clara eventually had 5 children, Frances, Valerie, Keith, Edgar and Jeanette.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie and Frances with Grandma Munro

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie and Frances with ???. The tennis racket is significant as tennis was a very important part of early family life.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial The twins up to mischief in the backyard

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Studio photo for the twins ??? with their toys

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie and Frances with proud parents

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie and Frances with their brother Keith. Family was very important to Valerie and she always had time for her brothers and sisters. They stayed in close touch through their lives. This close contact was often referred to as the "Munro Grapevine" as it didn't matter what was going on in the family, eventually everyone would know about it.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial The wedding party of Ellis Munro and Beryl Hardy. Brother, "Poss" Munro, was a groomsman and the twins were flower girls. The wedding was held at the Tempe Park Methodist Church.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie and Frances posing in their outfits for ... wedding

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Granddad, John Alexander Munro, with the twins in Sydney (Probably around 1934-5)

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Now there are five. Frances, Valerie, Keith, Edgar and Jeanette. A family photo taken outside their home in West Wyalong (Probably around December 1938)

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Sport - Swimming: Valerie and Frances were excellent swimmers, members of the West Wyalong Amateur Swimming Club and often vied for placings, usually with one in first place and the other in second place. Just 2 years after learning to swim, Valerie established a new record for the 33 1/3 yard Junior Girl's Freestyle Championship at the South Western Region Swimming Titles. Valerie and Frances were chosen to go to Sydney to train for the Games but were unable to take up the offer due to finances. Valerie and Frances also did extremely well in school swimming carnivals, though Frances pipped Valerie for the Girls Senior Championship (14+) 50m in February 1941.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Sport - Basketball: Like most country kids, Valerie participated in numerous different sports. Basketball (Netball) was one of them. Valerie and Frances were mentioned in the local paper when they played in an athletic competition between West Wyalong and Ungarie Superprimary Schools in July 1940. They were again mentioned as playing a "splendid game" in an Intermediate High School match against the Junior Shopgirls team when they played for the Shopgirls team in August 1942.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Sport - Tennis: With a tennis champion for a father, it's not surprising that Valerie and Frances were good tennis players. In the District School Championships in July 1940, Valerie easily won the mixed doubles 6/0 partnering with Basil Thomas and was narrowly beaten 6/4 in the Girls Doubles Championship when partnering with Dorothy Delahunty by Frances and her partner Marcia Gittoes.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie, Frances and Dad outside their home in West Wyalong. The date and reason for the photo is not know.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Sport - Athletics: Valerie excelled in athletics and, like swimming, the twins were fierce competitors trying to outdo one another in a variety of track and field events.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Schools actively encourage students to go for their life saving awards. Valerie and Frances were presented with their Bronze Medallions by the District Inspector of Schools (Mr J.F. Brigden) at a ceremony on 16/12/1941. On the 22/05/1942 they were present with a bar to the Bronze Medallion by the Minister for Education (Hon. Clive Evatt, K.C.)

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie got a chance to demonstrate an early aptitude for nursing when, after only just completing her First Aid Examination, she rendered first aid to her brother Keith who cut himself badly on the head when an axe caught on a wire above him and rebounded on his head. She controlled the bleeding and send for the ambulance to take Keith to the Wyalong District Hospital for treatment. Hospital officials complimented Valerie on the efficiency of the treatment rendered.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie with ??? who she was engaged to but never married. It's not know how many suitors Valerie had, though 4 are known to have marriage proposals tactfully declined; including doctors, millionaire landed gentry and foreign engineers. This photo was probably taken about 1948.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Nursing Career: Valerie started training to be a nurse at the Parkes District Hospital on 07/09/1943 as a probationary nurse. She was joined by Frances who started her nurses training in early 1944. Valerie completed her training 11/06/1948 and graduated on 30/10/1948. This was the start of a long and distinguished career in nursing of more than 50 years. Valerie did further training, receiving certificates in Obstetrics at Royal Hospital for Women; Major Operating Theatre at Repatriation Hospital, Concord; Orthopedic and Intensive Care at Childrens Hospital, Camperdown; post surgery training at St George Hospital; Burns and Remote Area at the College of Nursing, Glebe. Valerie moved back to the country in 1950 and took up a position of Sister at Carcoar District Hospital, a hospital with emergency, obstetrics and theatre services. She was appointed Matron in February 1951, the youngest Matron to be appointed in NSW up to then. She continued in that position until retirement on 20/06/1994. Valerie was not only a dedicated and professional nurse, it was a career she genuinely loved. One of the things she was most proud of was the Carcoar Hospital accreditation for nurses aide training, the pleasure of training nurses and the 100% pass rate for all her students; many of whom went on to successful nursing careers. But above all was the joy and pleasure she had in serving the Carcoar community as she delivered and cared for hundreds of babies, healed and saved many lives and earned the undying respect of doctors, nurses and patients, cooks, handymen and the wider community. Valeria was recognised for her services being awarded with Fellow of The Institute of Nursing Adminstrators Certificate on 25/09/1972, Distinguished Nursing Service Certificate in 1997 and Member for Life of the Australian College of Health Service Executives on 01/04/2006.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie received her Certificate of Obstetric Nursing on 30/11/1949.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial A family photo taken when all the family were together for Christmas. Front L-R Frances, Jeanette, Valerie Back L-R Keith, Clara, Gain, Edgar

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie's first car, a Renault 4CV. Dad and Mum posing with the car. Valerie always had "different" cars, including the Renault, Wolseleys, Jaguar and others. Date and location unknown

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie enjoyed riding horses very much, though I suspect this photo was posed! She's with her brother Keith. The second photo is Valerie with her horse and foal on a property in Carcoar near the Hospital.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie never married but family was very important to her. She was like a second mother to her 12 nieces and nephews and was always interested in what was going on in their lives. They all have their own stories to tell of spending wonderful times with their Aunty Val in the country. It might have been something as simple as helping out around her farm, or activities further afield such as swimming in the Belubula River, fishing, fox and rabbit hunting or exploring the many places around the region that she loved. She introduced the nieces and nephews to everyone and they were "The Matron's Nieces and Nephews". A visit with Aunty Val was never complete without a trip to a Chinese restaurant in Blayney or Orange. This photos shows Matron with her sister Frances' children, Raymond (Ray), Gary and Leonie outside the Carcoar District Hospital.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Dogs were an inseparable part of Valerie's life. There was rarely a time when there wasn't at least one dog by her side. Many of the dogs were companion dogs but she also had working dogs while she owned her property 'Valfra'. Dogs included (dates are roughly when the photos were taken): - Billy (no photo) early 1960's who was teased a lot by the young nieces and nephews but was loved by them. He was probably the most often dressed up dog Valerie owned, usually seen in hat and sunglasses. - Chan (1st photo) 1969 in Valeries Dads old bifocals. - Peter and Jenny 1980's Border Collie working dogs - Jock 1994 working dog - Toby 200? working dog that was recognised in the paper for his age at 23 years - Ben 2005 Border Collie - Frieda 21/03/2015 Miniature Schnauzer and was the second Schnauzer with the same name.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie loved the land and in the 19?? bought 112 acres of land backing onto the Carcoar Hospital. She ran Merino sheep initially and then switched to Murray Gray cattle. No visit from family and friends ever left without seeing the property, livestock and often a walk to the top of the hill for beautiful views over the hospital, Carcoar and the Belubula River. If staying for awhile, there were always jobs to do around the property and all family members pitched in, even the nieces and nephews. Riding on the tractor or motorbike was often part of the fun for the kids and Valerie loved it.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie was admitted as Fellow of The Institute of Nursing Administrators on 25/09/1972. The award was present to Valerie by the Matron of Royal Prince Albert Hospital.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie enjoyed skiing and did numerous trips over the years to the Snowy Mountains. This photo was taken in 1980 skiing at Kosciuszko. The second photo is of Valerie and Frances at the Kosciuszko Chalet in 1975.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Ever the entrepreneur, Valerie bought the Carcoar Antique store and ran a successful business on the side. A rummage through the shop never failed to find something of interest. She also sold her pottery, ceramics and brass rubbings in the shop. She sold the shop after 8 years so she had more time to travel in retirement.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie's property behind the Carcoar Hospital did not include a house. As Matron of the hospital, she had a house provided. In 19?? the Doctor's Residence became available and she took the opportunity to buy it. This gave her a property with a magnificent house, the first home she'd ever owned. This photo was taken in ???? with Valerie and her two border collies Peter and Jenny, her brother Keith (standing), his wife Jill beside him sitting, and Keith's son Ian's wife Margaret sitting on Valerie's right.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie sold her property at Carcoar and moved to Orange in 199?. She bought a house in Braemar Circuit and set about indulging her passion for gardens. Over the years the garden matured and in spring it was an absolute picture, though at any time of the year there was always something interesting to look at. She particularly loved her roses and bulbs.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie joined the Salvation Army when she moved to Orange. Not only did it fulfill her spiritual needs, but membership also provided her with an avenue to continue her community work. She held the position of Secretary of the Community Care Service. She particularly enjoyed helping with the reading program assisting children with reading difficulties.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie was admitted as a Member for Life of the Australian College of Health Service Executives

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie was a Justice of the Peace for more than 50 years and in 2007 was recognised for this achievement with a commemorative certificate. Images are included of the certificate, the letter of recognition and some of the JP certificates she kept.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial In later years it was rare for all of Valerie's brothers and sisters to get together, but they all stayed in regular contact. This photo is the probably the last photo taken of Valerie, Frances, Keith, Edgar and Jeanette gathered together. The occasion was Jeanette's 70th birthday. L_R- Keith, Valerie, Jeanette, Frances, Edgar

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie's large garden was one of the joys of her life and was always a picture of flowers and colour. Even in her nineties she loved to potter in it, pulling weeds and deadheading roses. She also loved to share her bounty with beautiful arrangements at her church, and with many of her visitors going home carrying bunches of flowers, plants, bulbs and even small trees . In the last 10 years of Valerie's life we had the great pleasure of enjoying her garden with her, and also being recipients of her generosity...our garden is full of beautiful memories of her, and these we cherish...Thank you Valerie... Rein and Glynne Zeilstra.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie was known to be a warm, friendly and hospitable person whose kindness and generosity were boundless. She loved to have visitors to entertain and feed, enjoyed having friends and family to stay, and was always willing to help with any tasks, however onerous... Valerie was one of a kind...a very special person with a wonderful heart... Rein and Glynne Zeilstra (Photo taken in 2018)

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie passed away peacefully on the 10th April 2020 at the Prunus Lodge Molong, where she had been a resident for just over a month.

Administrator of Valerie Munro Memorial Valerie's funeral service was held at the Woronora Memorial Park, Sutherland at 10am Thursday 23rd April 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions only 10 family members were able to attend and share their memories of Valerie. Quotes from the service: "... fiercely independent with a smile to greet you always ..." "... enquirying mind ..." "... earned the undying respect of doctors, nurses, patients, cooks, handymen and an entire community ..." "... a natural nurse and carer, a source of knowledge, skills and ... had a real go at life ..." "... valued family as all important ..." "... a deep love of the country she spent much of her life in ..." "... legacy is enduring, powerful and unforgettabble ..." "... You were a gift to us and we give thanks ..." The funeral service recording can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2whka4redhstpnx/AAA7QFZ5upEurvHpcyq3Igoda?dl=0