Born 22 August 1921 to John O’Neill & Ethel May McMaster who married in 1914. Second of four children.

From the ODH House Committee report dated 15 November 1938 – Matron (Moglia nee O’Neill) has engaged Miss Alma Mary O’Neill of Stanley as a trainee. She was 17 years of age last August. She commenced duty on 14 November 1938. Mary and Agnes were first cousins as their fathers were brothers.

From the ODH house committee Report 19 September 1939 – Nurse O’Neill is at present on annual leave.

ABOUT PEOPLE

… At the nurses’ board examination, two nurses from the Ovens District hospital, who completed their fourth year training at the Wangaratta Base hospital, passed their final examination. They were Nurses Boyd, of Leongatha and Alma O'Neill of Stanley. Border Morning Mail, Albury, 23 December 1942.

Date of qualification February 1943 – Beechworth and Allied Hospitals

1944 nurse’s registration has address as Stanley via Beechworth.

PERSONAL

Among the visitors who spent Easter in Stanley were … Sister Alma O’Neill … Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 15 April 1944.

MILNE – O’NEILL

A service wedding of great local, interest was quietly celebrated at the Presbyterian Church, Beechworth, on Tuesday, 13th April, at 7 p.m., when Sister Alma Mary O’Neill, third daughter of Mr and Mrs John O'Neill, of Stanley, was joined in the bonds of holy matrimony to S/Sergt. Rex Milne (A.I.F. returned), fourth son of Mr and Mrs James Milne Prince Street, Myrtleford. The Rev. W.J. Youngson of Wangaratta was the officiating clergy man; with Mr V. Tolstrup at the organ. The church had been beautifully decorated with gladioli and a bridal shower, by friends of the bride. The bride, who was given away by her father, presented an attractive figure in a new blue frock and matching hat. with navy accessories, and wore a spray of Cecil Brunner roses and blue delphiniums. Mrs H. Ashcroft (a friend of the bride) was matron of honor, and she had chosen a blue frock, with matching hat and accessories, and wore a spray of purple fuchsias, Mr Leslie Milne (brother of the bridegroom) attended as best man. A reception, for immediate relatives of the young couple, was held at the Stanley Hotel, where the guests were received by Mrs O'Neill, who wore a navy costume, upon which was pinned a spray of gladioli; assisted by Mrs. James Milne, in a black frock, with gold trimmings and hat to match, and wore a spray of red roses, The beautiful wedding cake was made by the bride's mother and decorated by an aunt. Mrs. B. O'Neill. Many congratulatory telegrams were received, and were read at the reception. Later, the young couple left for a brief honeymoon spent in Melbourne. Myrtleford Times and Ovens Valley Advertiser, 3 May 1944.

Mary at the time of her marriage was twenty-three and Rex was thirty-three.

According to Rex’s WW2 service record, the couple, after their marriage lived at 56 The Avenue, Windsor for the duration of the war. Rex in December 1944 was transferred to the 2/12 Australian Commando Squadron in Queensland. The 2/12th played a limited role in the Borneo campaign.

A report on Rex’s characteristics in the service record describes him as being of a solid type, keen, intelligent and industrious. See Rex Milne Service Record

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Other visitors are … Mrs Rex Milne (nee Miss Alma O’Neill) and Miss Ilma Puddephatt. The two ladies named are on leave. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 9 December 1944.

PERSONAL

Mr. and Mrs. Rex Milne of Prince Street, are being congratulated on the birth of a son at the Myrtleford B.N.H. [bush nursing hospital], Myrtleford Times and Ovens Valley Advertiser, 14 August 1946.

Myrtleford District Bush Nursing Hospital

… The sister-in charge (Sister Byrne) had done a particularly fine job in conjunction with each member of the nursing staff; despite the loss during the year of several good sisters. At present, they were short of nursing staff, but whilst awaiting the arrival of additional nurses, splendid help had been given by Mrs. Rex Milne and Nurse P. Collins. Myrtleford Times and Ovens Valley Advertiser, 4 August 1948.

Mr and Mrs Rex Milne of Myrtleford are receiving congratulations on the birth of a son at the Myrtleford District Hospital. Myrtleford Times and Ovens Valley Advertiser, 5 September 1951.

From a 1954 bereavement notice it seems that Alma picked up her nursing career after her children were born. In 1970, she was appointed Matron at the Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged, Beechworth. For eleven years, in all sorts of weather, she drove up the Buckland Gap from Myrtleford to carry out her duties. She was regarded as ‘very old school, prim and proper, and a stickler for everything by the book’. Her loyal deputy, Margaret McLean (Richardson) was also a former Ovens District Hospital trainee.

From Herald Sun Melbourne Death Notices, 30 April 2005.

MILNE (nee O'Neill). - Alma Mary, of Lavington, formerly of Myrtleford, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Apr. 28, 2005 at Murray Valley Private Hospital. Aged 83 years. Dearly loved wife of Rex (dec.). Loved mother and mother-in-law of Geoffrey and Mathilde, Bruce and Maureen. Loved Nan of Anthony, Donald, Stephanie, Kylie, Bradley, Kate and Leah. Great grandmother of Jade and Billy.

Alma was buried alongside her husband who had predeceased her in 1977 at the Myrtleford lawn cemetery, but regrettably, this is not indicated on the headstone.

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