The Mittelheuser Legacy: Trailblazers in Business, Science, and Philanthropy

‘If you can help someone else— well, why not? There’s so much pleasure in it.’—Dr Cathryn Mittelheuser AM

Margaret and Cathryn—the Mittelheuser sisters—commenced at Brisbane Girls Grammar School in 1945 and 1946 respectively. The girls personified the School motto, Nil Sine Labore—nothing without work—and this endured in their endeavours later in life.

Born just 15 months apart in 1931 and 1932, Margaret and Cathryn spent their early years on their family’s cane farm in Bundaberg, which had been established by their grandfather in the early 1880s. The young girls were bright and inquisitive, and spent many hours adventuring together. With the uncertainties and disruption of World War II, the family sold the cane farm and moved to Brisbane.

At 16 years old, Margaret enrolled at The University of Queensland (UQ). In 1952, she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce. As one of only two women in the program, she was determined to work in a role where she could use figures. Gaining employment as an accountant at the Commonwealth Department of the Interior, Margaret became the first woman graduate in the Commonwealth Public Service in Queensland. In 1956, she left Brisbane to pursue a stockbroking career with Sydney-based firm, Ralph W King and Yuill. Margaret’s talent, combined with her hard work, tenacity and resilience, saw her excel in her chosen field. In 1964, at just 33 years old, she was made a Partner at King and Yuill and became the first woman to be registered as a stockbroker in Australia, and one of the few female stockbrokers in the world. During her impressive and lengthy career, Margaret was a pioneer for women in business.

While Cathryn followed a different path, her achievements were equally remarkable.

After graduating from Girls Grammar, Cathryn initially trained in nursing. In 1963, she enrolled to study a Bachelor of Science at UQ, majoring in Plant Physiology. She graduated with First Class Honours and the University Medal in 1968. Cathryn went on to undertake a PhD in Plant Physiology and was one of the first Australians published in the internationally renowned journal, Nature. Cathryn was later appointed Senior Research Fellow and then Acting Lecturer in the Botany Department at UQ, one of only a handful of women engaged in science research and teaching at that time.

The Mittelheuser sisters always maintained their close connection to Girls Grammar. Margaret was Treasurer of the Old Girls Association between 1952 and 1953 and later served on the Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1990. Not only were Margaret and Cathryn pioneers for women in business and science, they also led the way for women in philanthropy, supporting a range of educational and cultural institutions and other causes. Throughout the decades, their generosity to Girls Grammar has been extraordinary, supporting the School to continually improve facilities and provide enriching programs to benefit students.

Understanding how important it is for girls to be encouraged to study and work in science, in 2019 Dr Cathryn Mittelheuser AM (1949), contributed a significant personal gift towards the construction of the Science Learning Centre. The Physics and Chemistry departments within the Science Learning Centre are named in recognition of the Mittelheuser sisters, acknowledging their incredible achievements, philanthropy and service to Brisbane Girls Grammar School and their enduring commitment to an excellent education for girls.