Profile on Lesley McMillan.
Lesley Christine McMillan was born in Sydney on 16th July 1943 the only child of Janet and Cecil McMillan. Her early life was not easy spending the first 3 months in hospital and then returning at 6 months for major surgery. She continued to have surgery until the age of 9. Her fighting spirit and tenacity helped her through these difficult times and held her in good stead for the future.
In 1951 the family moved north to the Gold Coast and Lesley attended the Burleigh Heads State School. A further move to Brisbane in 1958 saw her finishing her schooling at Salisbury State High School.
She then joined the Public Service and spent the next 38 years in the Queensland Audit Office. Firstly as a clerk typist and then a stenographer, comptometerist clerk, Secretary to the Public Accountants Registration Board, administrative officer and human resources officer. Lesley excelled in every position and developed a good working relationship with clients and staff alike.
Her bright, warm and caring nature together with her innate ability to understand people made her a wonderful asset where the focus on people is paramount. She provided guidance, support and encouragement to all in both her working and sporting life. Lesley was also very involved with the QAO Social Club holding many positions including President and Patron.
In sport she travelled all over Brisbane playing tennis fixtures before taking up squash which became a large part of her life both playing and the administrative side of the game for many years. Lesley joined Boomerang Squash Club in the early seventies and moved to the Gabba Squash Club in 1975 where she was a member until she retired at the finish of the 1984/85 Summer Season.
She served her club in many positions over those years and was awarded the Bob Turner Memorial (Presidents award for best club member) in 1980 and was honoured with life membership in 1982. She was also on the committee of Brisbane Women's Squash Rackets Association and Secretary of Queensland Squash for a period of time.
The positions in which she served her club are listed below,
1982/85 President
1981/82 Vice President
1975/76 Senior Vice Captain
1976/81 Vice Captain
1976/81 Committee Member
Lesley was a very capable squash player as evident by the number of pennants and trophies she won over the many years. She was a member of 6 Team Incentive winning teams and won a pennant on 6 occasions.
1973 Winter B2. Her team mates were Carol Watson, Jan Connor &
Marilyn Brand
1976/77 Summer A4. Her team mates were Pat Stirling, Margaret Evans,
Fran Walmsley & Maree Wade
1977/78 Summer A3. Her team mates were Margaret Evans, Fran Walmsley
& Margo Davies (Larkin)
1980 Winter A4. Her team mates were Renate Beck, Maree Kennedy &
Avon Trimble
New Format
1982 Winter Wed A1. Her team mates were Fran Walmsley, Margaret Evans,
Renate Beck & Calwyn Cheetham
1983 Winter Wed A1. Her team mates were Fran Walmsley,
Carolyn Somerville, Margaret Evans, Maree Kennedy & Calwyn Cheetham
1973. Plate winner division 1 of Club Championships
1974. Winner division 1 of Handicap Tournament, runner-up was Joan Boulton
1975. Winner Senior Division of the Club Championships,
runner-up was Marj Mather
1975. Runner-up to Sue Jeffrey in division 1 of Club Championships
1977. Runner-up to Margaret Evans in division 1 of Club Championships
1977. Runner-up to Margaret Evans in division 1 of Handicap Tournament
1980. Plate winner division 1 of Handicap Tournament
1982. Plate winner division 1 of Handicap Tournament
1984. Plate winner division 1 of Club Championships
On retiring from squash in 1985 Lesley took up golf joining The Brisbane Golf Club. Again she put her all into the sport and was also a weekend committee member for a number of years. Even in the last months of her life she continued to go to the golf club for lunch with her many friends.
Finally on the 31st October 2006 Lesley lost her battle with Melanoma Cancer and a great number of us lost a wonderful friend. She was always there for anyone in need and is sadly missed by all who knew her. Lesley was someone you were privileged to have as a friend.