Our History

In 1932, the world was in the grip of a Poliomyelitis epidemic. Those who survived the infection were often left with severe physical disabilities - requiring ongoing therapy and care. Brisbane Rotary arranged a public meeting in Brisbane City Hall to discuss the best possible means of assistance to address the requirements for children affected by the epidemic. From this meeting, The Queensland Society for Crippled Children was registered in April 1933 and the first Directors of the Society were elected.

The State Health Department started donations for this new organisation by announcing an annual grant of five hundred pounds. Brisbane Rotary spearheaded the fundraising campaign with fervour.

A philanthropist named Mr George Marchant gifted his home at Taringa to the society. He donated land and property to many organisations throughout his life and he maintained continuous interest in the Society until his death.

The Montrose Home at Taringa was officially opened on 3rd December 1933. Its facilities soon became inadequate because of the unexpectedly large extent of the Poliomyelitis epidemic and especially because of the high needs of the children from the country.

First Directors 1933

George Marchant

Mr Marchant purchased our present site at Corinda, formerly known as "Ardoyne", which he generously gifted to the Society in 1937. Montrose Home was able to provide accommodation for 90 children (including long-term), together with a suite of services including schooling, dental treatment and even a barber.

Thanks to advances in medical practice, the need for treatment of children with Poliomyelitis waned and in 1959 Montrose reviewed its focus on polio and found that there was a great need for assistance to children with diverse muscular disabilities, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and other debilitating conditions.

Montrose Home remained financially independent of the government for many years and provided residential care and services to the children at no cost. Government funding was applied for and gained in 1976. In the late eighties the first Commonwealth-State Disability Agreement was introduced, from which Montrose Home accessed grant funds.

Current Government funding is supplied through grants from Disability Services Queensland and Education Queensland. Our services continue through these sources and the generosity of George Marchant and other generous supporters over the past several decades.

Coral Grimley

In the early 1980's our service delivery changed to enable families to care for their children in their own homes where Montrose staff continues to provide services and support. In 1992, Montrose staff commenced the current mode of service delivery, which is the provision of therapy and respite services to the children in the community, including within their home, at school or at our respite facility still located at the Corinda site. The aim is to maintain the best quality of life for clients through our high standard of flexible, outreach service delivery.

In 2001 Montrose changed its operating name to MontroseAccess, and in 2002 adopted a new logo to replace the Montrose family crest. The Queensland Society for Crippled Children remains as the registered business and official charity name.