The fairy godfather of blind children. The flying doctor. Campaigner of women’s rights. Did you know that Clayfield was home to these local heroes who have left their mark on the history of Brisbane?
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Richard Frank Tunley (1879-1968)
Developer of educational resources for blind children
Richard Frank Tunley was a small business owner from Clayfield who manufactured window blinds for a living. He devoted his life to combating the isolation faced by visually impaired children, by creating educational tools for them to explore and experience the world through touch. It earned him the title, the “fairy godfather of blind children.”
Mr Tunley made the first braille map for the children at the Brisbane School for the Blind (later known as Narbethong State Special School) in 1925, which was recognised as the first of its kind in Australia.
In 1962, Mr Tunley crafted “Brisbane Between the Three Bridges,” a remarkable braille map of the CBD. This unique creation goes beyond regular maps by incorporating relief outlines, allowing individuals to perceive the shapes of iconic structures like the Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge, and the William Jolly Bridge.
It showcases a representation of the three bridges located together at Indooroopilly: the Walter Taylor Bridge, along with the old and new railway bridges.
He also crafted the braille topographic map of Australia in the workshop of his Clayfield home in 1963.
It incorporates aluminium name tags, bearing embossed braille, to identify the names of locations, mountains, and other geographical features. Twisted wires are used to represent both major and minor rivers, while wooden pins indicate the elevation above sea level.
Timothy Joseph O’Leary (1925–1987)
Flying doctor
After studying medicine in Ireland and training as a surgical registrar in England, Dr Tim O’Leary, became a second surgeon in New Australia, a liner bringing British migrants to Australia in 1952.
He stayed in New South Wales, where he worked as a clinical assistant chest physician at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, and as a medical officer in the tuberculosis eradication section of the Department of Health.
In 1953, Dr O’Leary became a member of the (Royal) Flying Doctor Service of Australia, specifically in the Queensland section, and was assigned to Charters Towers.
He was transferred temporarily to Brisbane in February 1958 when he was appointed RFDS acting medical superintendent. A year later, he married a nurse, named Yvonne Margaret Dowdell, at the St Agatha’s Catholic Church in Clayfield.
Dr O’Leary received a diploma in aviation medicine in 1972. The following year, he was elected as a founding fellow of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators. After experiencing a heart attack, he retired from the RFDS in 1980 and began practising privately on the Gold Coast.
Also known as ‘Dr. Tim,’ he contributed in the history of Brisbane as an exceptionally capable physician, who was particularly renowned for his expertise in obstetrics. He demonstrated empathy towards his patients, who cherished both his sense of humour and his unwavering dedication to their well-being.
Mary Hyacinthe Petronel White (1900–1984)
Women’s rights campaigner and local government councillor
Ms White gained the endorsement of the Citizens’ Municipal Organization in 1949. The organisation is a non-political group founded by Sir John Beals Chandler.
This led to her historic achievement of becoming the first woman elected to represent a capital city council in Australia. For a period of 18 years, she served as an alderman, representing the Hamilton (Clayfield) ward within the Greater Brisbane City Council.
Ms White was a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and utilised her council position to advocate for improved public facilities and enhanced legal safeguards for women.
She actively participated in various community groups, including the Country Women’s Association, the Business and Professional Women’s Club, and served as a patroness for the Kalinga Boy Scouts, the Civilian Widows’ Association, and the Clayfield Child Care Association.
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Indeed, these remarkable individuals have left an indelible mark on Clayfield and have made the city proud through their invaluable contributions to the history of Brisbane.
Published 9-August-2023