Dayrell Maud HARRIS

   Research Notes:

Obituary in Townsville Daily Bulletin -

Today, Townsville and North Queensland is without Dayrell Morris, one of its longest residents. Day slipped away quitely on Thursday. At least her mortal life expired- not so her spirit and certainly not her imprint. She will live forever in the hearts of every person she touched.

Day died as she lived, quiet, unassuming, modestly, determined not to cause a problem for anyone. Her last days with us were very sad, just like day. She always had an air of sadness about her. Yes, she laughed a lot, but there was always a twinge of melancholy. Summing up Day's life, I realise that's really the point. Day had plenty to be sad about. But it was that sadness that also gave her strength that sustained her for all of her long , rather remakeable life.

Days sadness started early in her life when she saw a town die before her eyes as the Mt Mulligan coal mine exploded in what was one of Australia's worst mining disasters. More sadness came soon after as her treasured father and then her mother died, followed in a steady succession over the years by her siblings, then her husband and in a final blow her first daughter. Perhaps it was this sadness that set her on the main path of her life - she was clearly determined to make a difference and each loss just seemed to strengthen her resolve. Many people right across Queensland have been direct beneficiaries.

First up Day ran a boarding house for young men who were forced to come to Townsville to get a job. She understood, having had to give up her own family at a very early age so that she could go to school. When her husband lost his sight she set about quietly in the background bringing to life an audacious plan to help blind people in North Queensland regain their mobility and freedom. She was the brains behind Hubert and the Guide Dogs for the Blind campaign. Yet this was to bring her more sadness. For Hubert to succeddhe spent more than 20 years on the road canvassing right across North Queensland for funds. Hubert was recognised with an Order of Australia........

   Marriage Information:

Dayrell married Hubert Vincent MORRIS on 17 Dec 1928 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. (Hubert Vincent MORRIS died in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.)