PLAQUE ---FLORENCE MARY SCANLON O.B.E.

Photo & printed script -- Florence Mary Windsor was born in England on 7th May 1878 .When still a child she was brought to Queensland by her Nanny where she remained until she was ninteen years of age .She then went to Europe where she did her training to become a Masseuse and also in skin and hair care .After qualifying she returned to Queensland and married Thomas Joseph Scanlon and moved to Perth to live -----In 1927 Mrs Scanlon was running a hospital in St Geoges Terrace , in a building that later became Forrest House .Two years latershe came to Merredinwhere she continued her good work as a masseuseat the Merredin Hospita During the polio epidemic Mrs Sanlon worked around the clock with the doctors and through her efforts people who were never expected to walkagain did so Alan Adler the movie star was one of her patients . A special bed was built for these patients at the request of Mrs Scanlon. For her wonderful efforts she was awarded the O.B.E. In later years Mrs Scanlon was very involved with the Red Cross .At one stage she ran a tuck shop at the Convent School to raise funds.Each school day she would walk from her home in Mitchell St . To the school pushing her ' goodies' in an old pram .Another fundraising effort was charging 10 shillings ( 1.00) to write their names on a white double bed sheet .She then had a large Red Cross put on it and embroidered every name , and when it was completed raffled it. At the same time ,as she was working so tirelesslyfor the Red Cross she was also using her skills as a masseuse in the capacity of what would now be known as a physiotherapist , Many a footballer owed his recovery to this clever lady Mrs Scanlon remained in Merredinuntil 2 years before her death in 1970 at the age of 92 years Our town should bow its head in recognition of such a talented and special lady for her work and efforts for the needy.