Olive Weston

Interestingly, Google can't tell you much about this woman who grew up on a farm in Queensland, so we've grabbed the book written by Peter Fenton to share the story of Olive Weston.

Born in Townsville on July 4th 1926, she grew up admiring the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Sevice, John Flynn and became determined that her life would take a similar path.

World War 2 broke out in September 1939, and when she turned 14 the following year, Olive began her apprenticeship to become a medical missionary and nurse.

Desperate to join the war, Olive lied about her age and enlisted at the age of 15, and after active nursing service in Townsville, she completed her wartime service at the age of 18. Olive continued nursing until she married her husband Frank in 1952.

Their son Steven was born a few years later, and it wasn't long until Mother's intuition kicked in - with Olive knowing something was wrong with Steven's development. Tests indicated that Steven was born with some brain damage.
When she was unable to enrol Steven in school due to being categorised as 'sub-normal' by the local school, she decided to do something about it, and with some other local parents established the Syndenham Bankstown School for Subnormal Children. Olive continued to be involved with the school for many years and as Steven grew older, began an active involvement in his sheltered workshops and findinh foster homes for disabled children.

In 1989, after 30 years looking after disadvantaged people, Olive was nominated for an Order of Australia medal. Olive Weston is another great example of one of Australia's Wonderful women!