| [Index] |
| Vivian Greensill BARNARD (1903 - 1996) |
| nurse |
| Children | Self + Spouses | Parents | Grandparents | Greatgrandparents |
|
Living |
Vivian Greensill BARNARD (1903 - 1996) + Abraham FRYBERG (1901 - 1993) |
Henry Greensill BARNARD (1869 - 1966) | George BARNARD (1831 - 1894) | George William BARNARD (1791 - 1864) |
| Anne GREENSILL (1809 - 1879) | ||||
| Maria Trafalgar BOURNE (1839 - 1874) | Thomas BOURNE (1798 - 1852) | |||
| Anne ASHMALL (1808 - ) | ||||
| Alice May Mary Maud ELWORTHY (1872 - 1957) | George Gregory Townsend ELWORTHY (1837 - 1905) | George ELWORTHY (1813 - 1878) | ||
| Emma BOWCHER (1810 - 1854) | ||||
| Marion (Mary Ann) SUGDEN (1837 - 1907) | William SUGDEN (1809 - 1895) | |||
| Ellen Anne MORTON (1811 - 1893) |
| b. 19 Aug 1903 at Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia |
| m. 30 Sep 1939 Abraham FRYBERG (1901 - 1993) at Queensland, Australia |
| d. 13 Jul 1996 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia aged 92 |
| Parents: |
| Henry Greensill BARNARD (1869 - 1966) |
| Alice May Mary Maud ELWORTHY (1872 - 1957) |
| Children (1): |
| Grandchildren (2): |
| Events in Vivian Greensill BARNARD (1903 - 1996)'s life | |||||
| Date | Age | Event | Place | Notes | Src |
| 19 Aug 1903 | Vivian Greensill BARNARD was born | Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia | 1903/C009236 | ||
| 30 Sep 1939 | 36 | Married Abraham FRYBERG (aged 38) | Queensland, Australia | ||
| 09 Nov 1957 | 54 | Death of mother Alice May Mary Maud ELWORTHY (aged 85) | Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia | 1957/005414 | |
| 07 Oct 1966 | 63 | Death of father Henry Greensill BARNARD (aged 97) | South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | ||
| 13 Oct 1993 | 90 | Death of husband Abraham FRYBERG (aged 92) | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | ||
| 13 Jul 1996 | 92 | Vivian Greensill BARNARD died | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | ||
| Personal Notes: |
|
On 19 Aug 1903 when the family lived at Duaringa, Vivian Greensill Barnard was born. Life was not easy for mothers in the bush. Infant mortality was a dreaded, ever-present shadow and two little brothers, Horatio Elworthy who preceded Vivian and another born the following year, both died.
Although a Presbyterian, Viv was educated at a convent in Rockhampton and wanted to study medicine but her father was adamant - no daughter of his was going to live unchaperoned in that terrible Sydney, so she made a career in nursing. Whilst a senior Sister at Lady Bowen Maternity Hospital she met Abraham FRYBERG, a gregarious young resident who was doing a stint in obstetrics. He was very much taken with Viv but she was unimpressed, considering him "a brash young man". On one occasion she reported him to matron for holding a noisy party and disturbing her sleep! On a three year contract in the early 1930s Viv and some other nurses went to India, firstly to Calcutta then southern, central and northern areas. (Rumour says it was to get Abe out of her hair). Those were the days of the British Raj when the girls nursed only British patients! Transferred to Delhi, their summers were spent in Simla's cooler climes. There was lots of entertainment for the nurses, including sporting activities in which Viv excelled. She held the 250 yard rifle championship and was an excellent marksman. Shooting goannas and other wildlife in the Queensland bush had given her a sharp eye. All this was changed by the looming war and in mid 1939, the nursing sisters were ordered home. The 'brash young man' had wooed Viv by correspondence and back in Australia, she at last accepted his proposal - despite both family's opposition on religious grounds. On 30 Sep 1939 in a truly ecumenical ceremony, Presbyterian bride, Jewish groom, C of E Matron of Honour and Catholic best man, Vivian married Abraham FRYBERG born 26 May 1901 at Bendigo, who had graduated in medicine from Melbourne University in 1928. After a year in private practice in Hughenden, Abe had lost his right hand in a car accident in 1934 - ending his hope of becoming a paediatrician. He refused to give up and with the encouragement of Ned Hanlon, the Minister of Health, retrained at Sydney University, gaining Diplomas in Public Health and in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. With great courage and dogged determination Abe taught himself to write with his left hand - no mean feat! In 1936 he returned to Brisbane, becoming Medical Superintendent of the Elizabeth Kenny Clinic, a position needing utmost tact as many medical people were opposed to the Kenny method of treating polio, or infantile paralysis as it was then generally called. Until the war carne, Abe worked with the Department of Health and as Health Officer he supervised private hospitals, engaged in ind~trial medicine, oversaw control of midwives and investigated outbreaks of any infectious diseases including the 1937-38 poliomyelitis epidemic. Viv and Abe didn't have much time to enjoy their wedded bliss. Abe enlisted and served with the 9th Division in the Middle East where he was DC of 2/4th Field Hygiene Section. In 1941 the Division held the very important Libyan port of Tobruk which was besieged by the Germans and earned them the sobriquet "Rats of Tobruk". These men are now legendary in Australian war history and Abe retained his connection with the Rats of Tobruk Association right up until his death. General Morshead recognised that maintenance of public health under siege is a most difficult but extremely important task and assigned Major Fryberg to the job. A flyproof latrine which contributed considerably to the health and the ultimate survival of the troops was designed by Abe's section. For this he was affectionately nicknamed "Flyberg of Flibya"! Abe was also Mentioned in Dispatches and awarded the MBE in 1942. Lt.Col. Abraham Fryberg, MBE returned to Brisbane early in 1943 where his and Vivian's son Henry George was born nine months later. Abe was the Area Director of Health (CMF) at H.Q Northern Command and demobilised in 1945. From 1947-1967 he was Director-General of Health - but hated the travelling that took him away from his beloved Vivian and their son. In the mid-50s, after convincing himself the Salk vaccine was safe and to overcome public trepidation, he innoculated his own son and the children of friends. The vaccine was universally accepted after the widespread publicity that followed. Abe's determined faith was justified and many young lives were saved. Abe was very proud of his association with the University of Queensland, serving on its Senate from 1946 until 1968 and was a close friend of ViceChancellor Sir Fred Schonell. An Honorary Doctorate of Medicine was conferred upon Abe in 1969. Early in their marriage when Abe was away so much, Viv must have been very lonely at times, but always showed support. When she was in her fifties she took up wood-earving, learning from Elwyn Harvey, one of the Harvey brothers who were master-earvers at South Brisbane. Viv had a wonderful talent in this medium, carving lifelike portraits and beautiful ornate picture frames. It wasn't long before she was recognised as one of the best carvers in Queensland. Abe's long hours, devotion to work and dedication to duty were repaid by a knighthood in the 1968 New Year Honours list. His major recreation was racing. He was on the committee of the Brisbane Amateur Turf Club from 1959 until 1968 when he retired to become Chairman of the Queensland Trotting Board. He enjoyed punting and I remember him at Clayfield wearing his eye-shade and carefully studying the form guide. Retiring from the Board, Abe was Trustee of the Paceway for some years. In July 1993, Abe contracted a disease of the liver and died on 13 Oct aged 92. His funeral service was held at the Mt Thompson Crematorium four days later. Vivian continued to live in the family home at Dublin St, Clayfield but eventually moved into a nursing home at New Farm. Although mentally alert and interested, Viv contracted pneumonia and died on 13 July 1996. |
| Source References: |
| 2. Type: Book, Abbr: Devon to Downunder, Title: Devon to Downunder, Auth: Bettie Elworthy, Publ: Bookbound, Date: 1997 |
| - Reference = 125 (Name, Notes) |