Marjorie Linda (Marnie) Staniland (1912–1999)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2024
Marjorie Linda (Marnie) Staniland (1912-1999) nurse, trade union leader
Birth: 11 January 1912 at Haberfield, Sydney, New South Wales, daughter of Frederic Harry Staniland (1884-1957), sales manager for Lustre Hosiery Ltd, who had been born in London, England, and native-born Linda, née Patten (1886-1975). Unmarried. Death: 16 December 1999 at Bayview Nursing Home, Sydney. Religion: Anglican.
- Began training for general nursing and midwifery certificates at Royal North Shore Hospital in 1937. Was ward sister at same hospital until 1948.
- Interest in unionism aroused by desire to improve poor pay and conditions of nurses. Inspired to take active role in NSW Nurses Association (NSWNA) by Georgina McCready. Elected to NSWNA council in 1945.
- Travelled to England in 1948 to undertake post-graduate study. On her return she was appointed supervisor of thoracic unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. From 1951 to 1954 she was matron of St Ives Church of England hospital, North Sydney. In 1954-62 she was departmental sister at Sydney Hospital.
- From 1952 to 1954 she represented the NSWNA on NSW Nurses’ Memorial Fund, on which she was from 1954 a trustee and committee member. Staniland was appointed to the newly constituted Nurses’ Registration Board in 1954, holding the post of elected representative of general nurses from 1955 to 1961.
- NSWNA president in 1955-1958, was vice-president from 1958 until 1962 when she was elected assistant general secretary of the association, retaining post until 1969 when position was restructured.
- From 1962 she represented NSWNA on the Australian Council of Salaried and Professional Associations (ACSPA). Was a member of ACSPA federal executive from 1967. NSWNA representative on ACSPA Committee of Equal Pay. Also represented NSWNA on National Council of Women of NSW and NSW Council of Social Services.
- Employee representative on State Conciliation Committees for public hospital nurses, private hospital nurses and occupational health nurses. Member of Industrial Relations Society of NSW since 1962.
- Made Honorary Fellow of NSW College of Nursing 1963 for services to nurses. Retired in December 1976.
Sources
The Lamp, April 1965, June 1968, December 1976.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- McCready, Georgina (colleague)
Citation details
'Staniland, Marjorie Linda (Marnie) (1912–1999)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/staniland-marjorie-linda-marnie-34832/text43872, accessed 30 April 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
11 January,
1912
Haberfield, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Death
16 December,
1999
(aged 87)
Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.
Occupation or Descriptor
Key Organisations
- Council of Social Services of NSW
- New South Wales Nurses' Association
- NSW Nurses' Memorial Fund
- Nurses' Registration Board (NSW)
- Australian Council of Salaried and Professional Associations (NSW)
- Industrial Relations Society (NSW)
- National Council of Women (NSW)
- New South Wales College of Nursing
- Australian Council of Salaried and Professional Associations (federal)