Mary was the sixth of ten children born to Scottish immigrant, George Buchanan Munro and his wife Lucinda. Born 1872 at Ballarat.

From the ODH House Committee report 21 April 1902 – The superintendent reported that he had engaged for the vacancy among the probationer nurses, Miss Munro of Melbourne and that she had commenced her duties.

From the ODH House Committee report 18 May 1903 – The Superintendent reported that at the junior nurses’ examination held on May 5th, Nurses Stewart and Munro passed, three other nurses failed. A supplementary examination would be held in July.

From the October 1904 UNA Journal - OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL - The final examination of senior nurses was held on the 6th and 7th inst. The following nurses were examined:— Nurse Mary Munro passed with credit; …

From the ODH House Committee report 17 October 1904 – On October 7th the senior nurses’ examination was held. Each of the three candidates passed.  … Nurse Munro passed with credit.

A long article extolling the virtues of Matron Winning and her staff was published in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 31 December 1904.

Date of qualification 15 April 1905.

From the ODH House Committee report 17 April 1905 – … Nurse Munro had completed her training and left the institution.

... Nurse Mary B. Munro was presented with her certificate in nursing by the president, who expressed his pleasure at her successful career in the hospital, and his regret at her departure from Beechworth ... - Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 6 May 1905

Viewed ODH Board Meeting Minute Book, Munro presented with certificate 2 May 1905.

From the ODH House Committee report 12 June 1905 – The Superintendent reported that the chairman had agreed to Nurse Munro being engaged as staff nurse for one month …

From the May 1905 Una Journal – OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL - Nurse Mary Munro having completed her course of training severed her connection with the hospital on the 15th April to the regret of the staff. She was the recipient of an autograph album from the nursing staff. – written by Matron Winning.

From the June 1905 UNA Journal - OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL - … Nurse Mary Munro has returned as staff nurse. We are all pleased to welcome her back – written by M. Winning, Matron.

June 1905 appointed as staff nurse at ODH for one month – see Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 17 June 2905.

From the July 1906 UNA Journal – DAYLESFORD HOSPITAL … One of our nurses has left for a South Sea Island trip, Nurse Mary Munro, her place for two months to be filled by Nurse Forbes.

From the January 1907 UNA Journal – The following is the result of the Infectious Diseases Examination held at the QMID hospital on 24th January. Dr. Springthorpe acting as the representative of the RVTNA at the examination:- Passed Nurses Mary Buchanan Munro …

March 1907 - Appointed as head nurse at Williamstown Hospital – see Williamstown Chronicle, 23 March 1907.

From the September 1909 UNA Journal - Miss Mary Munro, late Sister Williamstown Hospital, has entered upon the duties of matron at the Daylesford Hospital.

Personal

Miss Mary Munro of the Williamstown Hospital, has taken up duty as matron of the Daylesford Hospital. The Herald, 12 November 1909.

The many friends of Matron Munro, of the local hospital will regret to learn of the death of her brother, Sergeant George Munro, of Malvern. He went with the Expeditionary Forces to Egypt, and was invalided home, but owing to his serious condition was taken off the boat at Fremantle and placed in the Base Hospital there where he contracted pneumonia. He died on Sunday last. Deceased leaves a wife and two children. He was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and much sympathy is extended to those who mourn their loss. Daylesford Advocate, Yandoit, Glenlyon and Eganstown Chronicle, 16 June 1916.

CORRESPONDENCE

Matron Munro, who is ill and on leave, asked (acting on medical advice) for an extension of leave to the 24th June. Daylesford Advocate, Yandoit, Glenlyon and Eganstown Chronicle, 28 May 1918.

Munro – On 6th November, at her late residence, “Greenock”, High Street, Malvern, Lucinda, relict of the late George Munro, of Alfredton. Interred privately at Ballarat on 8th. The Ballarat Star, 18 November 1919.

WONTHAGGI

Owing to ill health, Matron M. Munro has resigned her position on the hospital staff. The Age, 6 July 1925.

Died Elsternwick, April 1928, aged 56. Buried Ballarat, 9 April 1928.

A CONTESTED WILL.

UNDUE INFLUENCE FOUND.

Grant of Probate Refused

Reserved judgement was given by Mr Justice Mann in the Banco Court yesterday in respect to the validity of the last will of Miss Mary Buchanan Munro late High Street Malvern. Miss Munro was 56 years at the time of her death in a private hospital in Elsternwick in April last.

She was formerly matron of the Daylesford and Wonthaggi hospitals, and left an estate valued at £3200 Miss Munro left a will dated 15th September, 1927, and by it she bequeathed £100 to her brother, John Buchanan Munro, who was appointed executor; £100 to another brother, Alexander Munro; £100 to sister-in-law, Mrs. Clara Munro; £100 to each to her sisters, Lucy, and Isabella Monro, and the residue of the estate was to be divided between her nieces, Doris daughter of the executor, and Mary, sister of the caveatrix. A caveat against the grant of probate was lodged by Mrs Clara Fraser, of Garden Vale, a niece of testatrix, who alleged want of testamentary capacity on the part of testatrix undue influence on the part of the executor, and also that the will was not executed in accordance with the Wills Act. Evidence in the case was heard last month.

His Honor said that after testatrix had retired from nursing owing to ill-health, she shared a house for eighteen months with two of her sisters. Her health still declining, she in June, 1927, went to reside at a private hospital or rest home. In the same month Miss Munro expressed a desire to make a will, and a Mr. Fenton. who had taken over the solicitor's practice of a nephew of testatrix, took her instructions, and a will was made by her on 1st July. His Honor was quite sure that this will expressed the fruit of Miss Munro’s competent reflection at that time ' During July and August Miss Munro’s condition grew worse, and she became weaker and more melancholic. On 15th September she made another will. The instructions for this were taken by John Monro, no one else being present. His Honor was satisfied that at this time Miss Munro was generally in a condition in which she would be abnormally sensitive to any emotional appeal. In these circumstances it was much to be regretted that, she did not again have the assistance of her solicitor. There was no need for haste, and there was every need for caution. The former will was redrawn and the legacy of £400 to Mrs. Fraser was omitted. This will as redrawn was signed by a law clerk and a nurse as witnesses. That was the will that was now propounded. If this was a valid will and a valid revocation of all previous wills, Mrs. Fraser, who, according to repeated declarations of testatrix was one of the two nieces she specially desired to benefit, had been entirely excluded from the bounty of testatrix. On the whole his Honor said he could not feel satisfied upon the evidence directly relating to 15th September that testatrix understood and approved the will of that date. John Munro was quite entitled to urge his own claims on testatrix as long as that was done when she was mistress of. her own judgment. He found that the will propounded was procured by the undue influence of the propounder, and he refused probate. The order nisi calling upon the caveatrix to show cause would be discharged. The order costs of the caveatrix would be paid by the propounder, and far as not paid by him to be costs of the administration. The Age, 19 October 1928.

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