The third of seven children born in 1907 to Harold Wardale Greenwood and Mary Beatrix Watts in Sunderland, County Durham. According to the English 1911 census Harold was a clerk in holy orders - is a designation, chiefly legal and formal, for a bishop, priest, or deacon in the Church of England.

 Muriel along with her parents, one sister and two brothers arrived in Melbourne on the Mongolia on 1 April 1912.

 A NAUGHTY PARSON

Has to pay £1,500.

LONDON, November 28.

Mr Alfred Grimshaw, an engineer, today was granted a divorce from his wife. The jury awarded him £1,500 damages against the co-respondent, the Rev. Harold Greenwood, formerly vicar of St. Thomas’ church, Sunderland. Mr. Greenwood is now in Australia. The Express and Telegraph, 27 November 1912.

From the ODH House Committee report 16 May 1924 – The Secretary reported that … and Miss Greenwood have started as probationer nurses.

From the minutes of Board Meeting held 15 August 1924 - The seal of the institution was ordered to be affixed to the indentures of Nurse Greenwood …

From the ODH House Committee report 15 August 1924 – Nurse Greenwood has completed her 3 months’ probation and has been approved of by the medical officers and matron. Her indentures are prepared.

From the ODH House Committed report 17 April, 1925 – Nurse Greenwood and Nurse Morrison are away on their annual leave.

From the ODH House Committee report 22 May 1925 – Nurse Morrison and Nurse Greenwood have returned from their annual leave.

From the ODH House Committee report 16 April 1926 – Matron reports that during last week she left the sterilizer in charge of Nurse Greenwood … she instructed nurse as to the time to turn off the gas but it was left burning all night and the material was destroyed, [various articles including blankets – valued at £6-8-0]  … Re paragraph relating to informing Nurse Greenwood’s father of the damage caused to sterilizer and contents – it was agreed to first ask Nurse Greenwood to furnish a report to the Board in connection with the matter.

From the ODH House Committee report 19 October 1926 – Nurses Morrison and M. Greenwood go to Melbourne early next month to sit for their exams.

NURSES’ BOARD EXAMINATIONS, NOVEMBER 1926 - The following are the successful candidates at the recent examination of the Nurses’ Board: - … BEECHWORTH HOSPITAL – Muriel E. Wardale-Greenwood. The Age, 4 December 1926.

 From the ODH House Committee report 21 December 1926 – The Secretary reported that Nurse Muriel Greenwood was ill …  Nurse Muriel Greenwood and Nurse Morrison had attended the recent examinations in Melbourne. Nurse Greenwood passed and Nurse Morrison failed.

 From the ODH House Committee report 17 May 1927 – The Secretary reported that Nurse Muriel Greenwood had finished her 3 years training this day, she had passed the examination of the RVTNA and is entitled to her certificate.

 From the ODH House Committee report 18 April 1927 – Nurse Muriel Greenwood would complete her three years training on the 17th of May.

 Date of qualification – 17 May 1927.

 Una Journal, 1 August 1927 – Registrations - Greenwood, Muriel E. Wardale, C/o Mrs. King, Myrnong P.H., St. Kilda; exam., November, 1926; cert., Beechworth Hospital, May 17th, 1927.

 January 1929 address is ‘Riverside’ Tallangatta. Registered as a midwife 25 January 1929.

 20 September 1930, married Alexander Corstorphan Moody at Murchison.

 ABOUT PEOPLE

Among the guests at the Hotel Nicholas, are two former well-known residents of Wooragee, Mrs. Cummins (nee Mary Suttliffe) and Mrs. Hourigan (nee Emily Suttliffe), who are now living in Newcastle, N.S.W., and Mrs. Alexander Moody (nee Sister Muriel Greenwood), of Murchison, and her two children. Mrs. Moody received her nurse’s training at the Ovens District Hospital. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 30 August 1939.

 Mary Beatrix Wardale-Greenwood, Muriel’s mother,  died in March 1941 aged sixty-two. Whilst she owned no real estate, her personal estate was valued at around £476 which she left to her seven children. Her husband died in 1946 aged 71 and was buried at Springvale. See Harold Greenwood for further background to Mary and Harold’s life.

 1942 - 1949 ER Muriel & Alex are living at 14 Westgate Street, Oakleigh. Alex is a builder.

 1954 ER Alex is listed as living at 14 Westgate Street, Oakleigh whilst Muriel is listed as living at 180 Warrigal Road, Oakleigh.

 Alexander died 1962 aged 56. Cremated Springvale 27 November, 1962. There is no death notice, only a funeral notice.

 1963 - 1967 ER Muriel is at 180 Warrigal Road, Oakleigh – home duties.

 Died March 1980. Cremated Springvale, 26 March 1980.

©Anne Hanson, 2024                                                                                                                                 E-mail:  Anne Hanson