Biography

Marjorie Lorna Rooney (1899 - 1983) was born in Western Australia, and was one of four children. Her father was the principal of the Teachers' College of Western Australia. Marjorie was educated at Perth Modern School, and graduated B.A. from the University of Western Australia. After some time spent teaching, she became principal of the Claremont Girls' High School.

Marjorie had a friend, Ethel Street; they attended school and university together and in 1932 the two friends came to Tasmania. Marjorie was appointed headmistress of Broadland House Church of England Girls' Grammar School." Ethel Street became one of the senior teachers there.

Miss Rooney devoted thirty-two years of her life to teaching at Broadland House. Altogether hers was a life of service to education and this was recognised by the award 'of the M.B.E. She was a member of the Australian College of Education, she was involved in the Independent Schools' Headmasters and Headmistresses Association and the Australian Federation of University Women, the Northern Tasmanian Branch of which honoured her with life membership. She was president of the Broadland House Old Girls' Association for many years and they also made her a life member.

Miss Rooney was a past president of the Soroptomists Club, and a member of the State Executive of the Girl Guides Association in Tasmania. She had a long interest in sport and was president of the Northern Tasmanian Women's Hockey Association. After her retirement from Broadland House, she played croquet at the East Launceston Croquet Club.

While she was at Broadland House, Miss Rooney lived in the headmistress' cottage at 8 Lyttleton Street. On her retirement she moved to a house in Penquite Road, opposite Scotch College.

Miss Rooney died in Launceston on 27^th April 1983 aged 84. A memorial plaque was placed in St. John's Church in her memory and one of the large cast iron badges from Broadland House was erected beside the memorial. The inscription reads:
A.M.D.G.
IN MEMORY OF
MARJORIE L. ROONEY M.B.E. B.A. M.A.C.E.
HEADMISTRESS BROADLAND HOUSE
C. OF E. GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1932-1963
EXCEPT THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE,
THEY LABOUR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT. PS.127:1

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