Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Keith Murphy
Another student who was there during this time was Keith Murphy but he went on to Scholarship at the Wooroolin State School. His parents Daniel and Violet believed that with the transfer of Herbert on 4 Jun 1918, Keith had a better chance of success at Wooroolin for his scholarship year. Although Keith was the eldest in the family, he had a good pass and instead of staying to work the property with his father, went on to Maryborough Grammar School for High School and teacher training. He commenced teaching in 1922. He taught in many parts of Queensland before he lectured at the Teacher's Training College, Brisbane, from 1935 until he entered the war effort.
In World War II he served with the 2nd AIF and was a Staff Captain when he returned to the Education Department in 1945. He was seconded to Head Office, where he eventually became Assistant to the Director of Secondary Education. After decentralization of education in the State he became Director of the Northern Region based in Townsville from 1949 to 1952.
When Memerambi celebrated its 50th Anniversary in October 1955, Keith Murphy, more as an old boy but also as the State Director of Primary Education, officially opened the Golden Jubilee Library.
In 1958 he was appointed Deputy Director of Education. Until 1963 Grade 8 had an end of year public exam for acceptance into high school. It was during Keith Murphy's tenure in the Education Department that it was phased out. In 1965 he was appointed Director General of Education in Queensland, a position which he held until his retirement in 1971.
When he died in 1979 the Director-General at the time, Mr George Berkeley, said his main recollection of Mr Murphy was "the warmth and friendliness of his character." Mr Berkeley said that they had worked closely from 1958 until Mr Murphy's retirement. "I remember particularly that he had a great memory for people. He seldom forgot a name and had an ability to associate people with incidents in their careers. Many of the innovations, with which he was associated, were connected with teacher education. He chaired a committee to review Teacher Education in 1967.
Mr Murphy was regarded as having guided the Department through a period of significant change and development and substantial achievement in education in Queensland. Milestones include: Provision for establishment and development of a new structure of autonomous tertiary institutions apart from universities; Introduction of five years of secondary education without external examinations following the report of the Radford Committee in 1970; Introduction of an advisory teacher scheme.
As Director-General, Mr Murphy, served on many boards and committees including the State and Federal Advisory Committees of the ABC.
From his early teaching days, Mr Murphy took an active interest in the Queensland Teachers Union, and was President in 1939.
A report on his career reads: "Throughout the State his name is inevitably associated in teachers’ minds with warm humanity, a sense of humour, concern for the underdog and a dedication and love for learning, which characterizes excellent teachers everywhere." He was the father of four daughters and one son.

Memerambi moments : a school and district history of Memerambi and Corndale : Memerambi State School, 1905-2005; Corndale State School, 1912-1959/ by Judith A. Grimes