Heather McBride Patrick Bursary

Heather McBride was a St Peters Founding Scholar in Sub Junior (Year 9) in 1945. She was able to board at St Peters and to attend University because of an inheritance from her grandparents. Her passion for painting saw many of her works displayed, and later sold, at the Performing Arts Centre gallery. Proceeds from her art sales now support two Bursaries, awarded to students pursuing careers in Fine Arts and Medicine.

CASSIE TWEMLOW

Heather McBride was a St Peters Founding Scholar in Sub Junior (Year 9) in 1945. As well as being a fine sports woman, she was House Captain (Leichhardt) for four years, Captain of the A Basketball team, a member of The Review editorial committee, Girls’ Head Prefect for two years, and was one of two students who went on to complete their Senior studies in 1948.

On passing Senior, Heather attended the University of Queensland (UQ), gaining her Bachelor of Arts in 1951, before enrolling in Medicine and graduating as a doctor in 1960. She was the first St Peters girl to graduate in Medicine. Heather also represented UQ in Basketball and Swimming. A Caloundra girl, Heather was one of the pioneers of surfboarding on the Sunshine Coast.

A woman who enjoyed adventure, Heather began her life as a doctor with residencies in Princess Alexandra Hospital and Nambour. In 1964 Heather travelled to the UK as a ship’s surgeon for a year before returning to Queensland to work as a locum for three years. She married fellow medico Ross Patrick in 1973. From 1974 – 1995, Heather worked as an Industrial Medical Officer at Prince Charles Hospital until her retirement.

A prolific and extremely talented artist, many of her paintings were displayed at a gallery in the Performing Arts Centre after her death in 2017. The proceeds were donated to St Peters through the St Peters Old Scholars Association (SPOSA) to enable two Bursaries, this year awarded to Hannah McPhee and Jason Li. Congratulations, Old Scholars!