Another milestone for Joan the JP
We live here ‘cos we love it! Over 60 years she’s signed more autographs than a rock star
HOWEVER, I HAD A NEED FOR IT THOUGH AT THE BUILDING SOCIETY TO PREPARE ALL THE DOCUMENTS.
JOAN NORRIS
IN WHAT has been something of a life of milestones, Toowoomba woman Joan Norris has been recognised for her years of service as a Justice of the Peace.
State Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath signed the certificate acknowledging Ms Norris’s 60 years as a JP and the framed certificate now holds pride of place at Miss Norris’s Toowoomba home.
Born and bred in Toowoomba in the shadows of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Miss Norris has spent all of her 90 years in the Garden City.
“We were all born at home in Hume St across the road from Groom Park,” explained Miss Norris, the eldest of three children of Edgar and Gladys Norris along with brother Tommy and “baby” sister Margaret.
Her father Edgar was an optometrist who had a practice in Margaret St, E.L. Norris Optometrist.
However, it was during her 32 years with Toowoomba Permanent Building Society that Miss Norris saw the need to become a JP.
“I just thought it was a good idea at the time,” she quipped.
“However, I had a need for it though at the building society to prepare all the documents.
“I looked after all their conveyancing.
“I still do it (JP work) today if necessary.”
Toowoomba Permanent and Darling Downs building societies merged in the 1980s to become Heritage Building Society, now Heritage Bank.
After 32 years at Toowoomba Permanent Building Society, Miss Norris transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital where she was second in charge to the matron.
She worked for St Vincent’s Hospital for 15 years.
During her lifetime in Toowoomba, Miss Norris has seen a lot of change, some she suggests “not for the better”.
“Toowoomba was more of a big country town then,” she said.
“But it was no trouble to walk to the pictures at night and walk home on your own.”