Catherine Hannah Lucy
Catherine Hannah Lucy was born on 7 April 1898 in Toowoomba, Queensland, the daughter of Patrick Lucy and Hannah O’Connell.
Sister Mary Audrey, Toowoomba, 1935.
She completed her three-year nursing certificate at Bartholomew’s Private Hospital in Toowoomba in 1911 under Dr. Lane, and joined the Australasian Trained Nurses Association (ATNA) in 1912. Catherine was registered as a nurse in New South Wales in September 1912, later completing obstetrics training at Lady Bowen Hospital, Brisbane, in 1916. She re-registered in New South Wales in early 1917.
Catherine came to Lightning Ridge in August 1919 to serve as the local nurse, working there until March 1921. She was succeeded by Nurse Murray following her resignation.
After her time at the Ridge, she returned to Brisbane and worked at the Mater Hospital. In 1924, she joined the Sisters of Mercy, taking the name Sister Mary Audrey. She served for many years at the Mater Children’s Hospital and was closely involved in planning the new Mothers’ Hospital, becoming its first matron in 1960.
In retirement, Sister Mary Audrey remained active in pastoral care, tending to the hospital chapel and visiting patients. In 1981, she moved to the Sisters of Mercy retirement home “Emmaus” at Nudgee.
Catherine Hannah Lucy died on 18 July 1988 in Brisbane at the age of 90. She is remembered for her decades of service in nursing and as a Sister of Mercy at Lightning Ridge and across Queensland.
Article: Research by Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: ‘Bush Nursing Association’, Sydney Mail, 5 April 1922; Australasian Nurses’ Journal; Walgett Spectator, 3 March 1921.