Lavarack, Muriel Alice (Jones)

Daughter of Cecil Wallace Lavarack and Jessie Helen Mackenzie [Qld Ref: 1955/B8394]

Muriel Alice Lavarack passed out first in the Queensland state scholarships. This enabled her to attend Melbourne University where she studied Medicine. She passed out third in her final year. After a year at the Royal Melbourne hospital she returned to Queensland and set up a practice at Muttaburra. She married grazier Frank Jones.

Another female doctor now came to Muttaburra, in Alice Muriel LAVARACK, who was Medical Officer from March 1910 until February 1912. Born in Brisbane in 1883, to surveyor Cecil Wallace Lavarack, Alice had topped the Queensland Scholarship exams to study at Melbourne University, where she achieved honours in every subject and graduated in 1908. She came to Muttaburra from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she had been the first woman resident doctor. Three of her brothers enlisted in WW1, one of whom was Lt Gen Sir John Lavarack, later Governor of Queensland. It is said that one of her brothers surveyed the road from Muttaburra to Crossmoor. She resigned from her post in Muttaburra to marry Frank JONES of ‘Rockwood’ in April 1912, and they went to live at ‘Dalgonally’, but later went to Warwick, where Frank died in 1930. With a young family of seven, Alice returned to her profession and had a practice in Cracow. She died in Brisbane in 1955.
[Source: Dr Arratta Museum]

The engagement is announced of Mr. Frank R. Jones, manager of Rockwood station, to Dr. (Miss) A. M. Lavarack, of the Muttaburra hospital, and their marriage is arranged to take place in Brisbane in April, says the “Record.” After they return, they intend to reside on part of Dalgonally Station, which Mr. Jones has purchased. Dr. Lavarack will sever her connection with the Muttaburra hospital on or about the 15th of this month, and Dr. (Miss) Weir, from Springsure, has accepted the appointment.
[Source: Barcaldine AND General Budget. (1912, February 17). The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts (Barcaldine, Qld. : 1892 – 1922), p. 13. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77012004]

The marriage of Mr. Frank Robert Jones, son of Mr. R. D. Jones, late inspector of stock, New South Wales, and Mrs. Jones, to Miss Alice Muriel Lavarack, East Brisbane, was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Kangaroo Point, on 24th April (says last Saturday’s edition of the Brisbane” Telegraph”). The Rev. Maitland Woods officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dainty gown of white Swiss muslin, finely tucked and trimmed with guipure. Her two sisters, Misses Belle and Marjorie Lavarack, attended her as bridemaids, and wore gowns of white Swiss muslin, and Charlotte Corday hats. Mr. Kenneth W. Lavarack was best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at the residence of the bride’s parents. Mrs. Lavarack received her guests in a gown of rich black silk, and a hat en suite. After greeting the bride and groom in the drawing room, the guests passed on to the billiard room, where the wedding breakfast was served. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Jones left for a wedding tour. Mrs. Jones travelling in a tailored coat and skirt, and a hat to harmonise.
[Source: Barcaldine AND General Budget. (1912, May 4). The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts (Barcaldine, Qld. : 1892 – 1922), p. 9. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77013381]