Biography

Sybil Mary Brownrigg, (1913-1992), was the daughter of Harold Brownrigg and Louisa Mary (nee Jones), and granddaughter of Reverend Marcus Blake Brownrigg and Georgina. Some of Sybil’s education was undertaken at Broadland House School, when in Elizabeth Street. She also attended Zercho’s Business College. She was one of the very first female Chartered Accountants in Tasmania. She was a member of the Girl Guides, and a life-long member of St John’s Choir. Sybil was the first female elected to St John’s Vestry and for many years taught in the Sunday School, rising to Superintendent. She ran the former Church Missionary Society bookshop in St John Street.
Sybil died in 1992., and in her memory friends and relatives erected a brass plaque in the south aisle near the Chapel. The Inscription reads,
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
SYBIL MARY BROWNRIGG, 1913-1992
WHO GAVE LOVING SERVICE TO GOD THROUGH DEDICATION
TO ST JOHN’S CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHURCH MISSIONARY
SOCIETY AND THE WIDER WORK OF GOD’S PEOPLE

The following article was published in 'Parish Messenger" at the time of her death:
Miss Sybil Brownrigg
On 22nd May, St John's parish family bid a fond farewell to Sybil, Few of us know the total magnitude of her life's work for God's purpose, We can only make a list of the things in which she was involved, Her life of love touched every member of 'her family', for that is indeed how we were to her.
The Brownrigg family have had a long association with St John's. Sybil's grandfather, the Reverend Marcus Blake Brownrigg became Rector in 1868 and served until ISS7 and was the first resident in the Rectory, His many sons and daughters served St John's in many ways.
Sybil was born in 1913 when her parents lived in Arthur Street and she was baptised at St John's on 20th December that same year. Her mother died when Sybil was very young and her father, Harold, and her two aunts brought up the young girl to love the Lord. She completed her education at Broadland House and entered the commercial world of insurance. After working at General Accident Insuarance Company for many years, Sybil became the first woman in Tasmania to hold the position as Manager.
Sybil was a pupil in our Sunday School, she then became a teacher for many years and eventually took over the position of Superintendent. Sybil was a long serving member of our choir, as were her father and two aunts,
Early in life Sybil was a member of the Trevallyn Bible Class when Trevallyn was part of St John's. She was also involved in the many activities at St John's Mission House, now Parkside in Canning Street. She was a member of the Gleaners' Union, the Medical Missionaries Guild and the more familiar Order of St Luke.
There are only a few activities in our parish in which Sybil did not have a role. Even so, she organised rosters of parishioners to staff a creche so that young mothers could be encouraged to join Mothers' Union and often was found minding the little ones herself. She organised many rosters, for instance, those who welcomed us to service each Sunday, minded our chiIdren during the 10 am, service and who should pour the tea and coffee and wash up after the friendly gatherings on Sundays? Bible Study groups, Prayer Group, Prayer Chain, Faith and Fellowship Groups – all flourished under her influence.
Outside St John' s, but not outside the church, Sybil was a founding member of the (Women's) World Day of Prayer in 1345 and was on the committee until two or three years ago. Her main role for some time was to organise the "Girls' Service" each year,  
Sybil's work for the Church Missionary Society is known throughout Australia and in many places overseas and when she retired from business she took on the management of the C. M. S. Bookshop in Launceston.
Sybil was always busy, and it will take about twenty people to do all that she did. She loved her garden, music and people, but most of all she loved the Lord and served Him faithfully.
_{Author not known}

 

Source

Supplementary note to "Engraved in Memory" by J.S.Gill. 1988