Rural and regional Queensland is much poorer with the passing of the late Jenny Russell on Saturday evening, May, 25, after a long battle with brain cancer.
Ms Russell was eldest child of Terry and Jacqueline (deceased) Russell, Swan Hill, Blackall, and big sister to Bill, Ralph (deceased), Suzy, Cam and Scott.
She was born on December 13, 1953, and schooled at Swan Hill through Primary Correspondence, and then attended Stuartholme Convent, Brisbane, as a boarder for her secondary schooling.
In 1972, Ms Russell attended the James Cook University in Townsville and later the Kelvin Grove Teachers College.
Following her graduation as a secondary school teacher, Ms Russell taught the following year at Blackall State High. She was the Blackall entrant in the RSL Girl in a Million quest in which she was crowned winner in 1973.
In 1974-79, Ms Russell taught at Sacred Heart College at Sandgate, while at the same time she studied a Bachelor of Business, Corporate Communications, part time at the Queensland University of Technology.
In 1981, Ms Russell enjoyed a a career change and joined the National Party Of Queensland as a Research Officer, and was later promoted as its Public Relations Director.
Following the sudden death of her mother Jacqueline in 1985, Ms Russell took her responsibilities to heart, and returned to Swan Hill to provide support to her grieving family.
Ms Russell was a very practical person in its truest sense and her sound advice and wise counsel was often called upon.
This resulted in her being appointed to various boards and committees including the Private Sector Economic Advisory Committee (PRISEAC) by the then Premier, Mike Ahern.
Ms Russell served as a member of the Australian Delegation to the American Council of Young Political Leaders Study Tour to the USA in 1989.
Never one to blow her own trumpet, Ms Russell quietly became the first female vice president of the National Party Queensland in 1995, and was later made an honorary life member for her service.
Other appointments and accolades were made to her over the years. They included serving on the inaugural Regional Women's Advisory Council. Ms Russell was also was a recipient of the Centenary Medal for Service to Regional Development.
And again family support was always paramount to Ms Russell and she willingly donated a kidney to her brother Ralph when dialysis was no longer an option in 2003.
From 2005-2007, Ms Russell chaired the Telstra Country Wide Board.
Also in 2005, she was elected a Director of Beef Australia and then Vice Chair from 2012 to 2018 when she resigned due to declining health. At the 2018 Beef Australia event her tireless work was recognised and Ms Russell was made an honorary life member.
Long time friend and fellow Beef Australia board member, Chris Todd who is now general manager of Santa Gerturidis Australia, described her as a true professional and a deep thinker.
"If Jenny debated with you about an issue she did it with the utmost respect," Mr Todd said.
In 2006 Ms Russell was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. She recovered and returned to Swan Hill until 2010 and moved to Clayfield, Brisbane.
She remained a director of Swan Hill Cattle Company until 2010.
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, June 7, at the Blackall Cultural Centre.
Ms Russell is survived by her father Terry, siblings Bill, Suzy, Cam and Scott, and their extended families.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
