Family folklore has it that when little Margaret Mittelheuser was collected from her first day of school, the astounded teacher asked her mother: ‘What have you brought us’?
The four-year-old, who grew up in the Bundaberg cane fields, was already exhibiting a natural brilliance and love of mathematics that would see her rise to become Australia’s first female stockbroker.
Ms Mittelheuser AM (1931-2013) was last night (July 28) inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame at a black-tie dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. (Her fascinating digital story can be viewed here)
She was one of six Queensland business icons this year chosen to join the Hall of Fame, with representatives presented with their awards by The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland.
Now in its eighth year, the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame is a joint initiative between the QUT Business School, State Library of Queensland and Queensland Library Foundation.
The 2016 inductees are Margaret Mittelheuser AM, construction icon Sir Manuel Hornibrook, IT pioneer Mincom, the North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Ltd (NAPCO), insurance and banking giant Suncorp Group and leading company director Rod Wylie OBE.
Margaret Mittelheuser was born in Bundaberg in 1931 and her early years on her parents’ cane farm produced a love of country and an adventurous spirit that never left her.
She won a place at the University of Queensland at 16 and, after graduating with her Bachelor of Commerce, became the first female graduate to be employed in the Commonwealth Public Service in Queensland (and the first woman to refuse to make the tea).
Her personal investment skills led to her being appointed as a researcher in a Brisbane stockbroking firm and then moving to Sydney in 1956 to join Ralph W King and Yuill.
In 1961, she returned to Queensland to open their Brisbane office, becoming the first woman in Australia to manage a stockbroking office.
In 1964 she became a non-member partner of the firm and, as a result, the nation’s first woman stockbroker under the auspices of the Sydney Stock Exchange.
“Back in the 1960s it was not altogether easy for a broker from Sydney to come to the patch of the Brisbane Stock Exchange,” Margaret’s sister Cathryn Mittelheuser said.
“The Brisbane Stock Exchange had a firm rule that women were not allowed to become members. Margaret just thought it was ridiculous and took no notice of it. She felt that it had no impact on her; she carried out the work of a stockbroker and didn’t need it.”
Margaret Mittelheuser’s career in broking spanned more than 50 years and at her retirement she was one of the longest serving brokers in Australia.
Her adventurous spirit enabled her to build a strong business base in Papua New Guinea, attract large investments from the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund and develop an extensive client base throughout country Queensland.
A noted philanthropist, she also encouraged her clients to share their wealth.
Professor Peter Little, QUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Programs and Partnerships), is on the Hall of Fame’s governing committee which chose this year’s inductees.
“The inspiring business leaders inducted in 2016 have demonstrated the innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience that are typical Queensland traits,” he said.
“Their extraordinary stories of enterprise have helped shape the development of this great state and they will forever be valued and remembered.”
Digital stories on all the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame members can be viewed online at www.halloffame.slq.qld.gov.au.
State Librarian and CEO Sonia Cooper said the Hall of Fame ensured the businesses and individuals who had played vital roles in the state’s business landscape would be recognised and remembered.
“The Hall of Fame records, retells and celebrates their outstanding stories, and highlights the importance of documenting, collecting and preserving Queensland’s business heritage for future generations,” she said.
Last night’s induction dinner also included the presentation of the 2016 Queensland Business History Award to architecture firm Conrad Gargett by the Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business, Leeanne Enoch.
Release date: Friday, July 29, 2016
Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, media@qut.edu.au or 07 3138 9449
- Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, media@qut.edu.au of 0407 585 901
** Biographies, high-res images and digital stories of this year’s inductees are available for media use.
TWITTER: Follow the event on the night - #qblhof
