Vale Ruth Read

Profile adapted from the Occupational Therapists Board of Queensland: a history 1980 – 2012

Ruth Marit Read was born on 4 March 1930 in Inverell, NSW. In early 1948, Ruth moved with her family to Brisbane and enrolled at the Central Technical College Art School. Deciding she was too strait-laced and not sufficiently creative to fit into the art world, she sought alternatives including the Australian Red Cross handcraft service. Ruth was employed from June 1951 to June 1953 as a handcraft instructor at the Red Cross Handcraft Service at Brisbane General Hospital.

Ruth moved away from home and worked as an occupational therapy assistant (or light trades instructress) at the Commonwealth Department of Social Services Rehabilitation Centre, “Maryport”, in Mt Martha, Victoria. She got on well with the occupational therapists and they invited her to Melbourne to join their meetings.

In 1955, a diploma course in occupational therapy started at the University of Queensland (UQ). Having already matriculated, Ruth obtained a Commonwealth scholarship for the course and was awarded her Diploma in Occupational Therapy in February 1958.

Shortly after, Ruth was employed as a part-time demonstrator for the occupational therapy diploma course at UQ. In October 1959, she became a full-time university demonstrator – a position she held until December 1962.

An occupational therapy degree course was in the planning stages, so Ruth enrolled in an arts degree, undertaking three years of psychology studies.

In February 1963, Ruth became senior occupational therapist at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane – a role she held until 1972.

The occupational therapy degree course commenced in 1968, and Ruth took the additional physiology, anthropology and sociology subjects required. She was awarded her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in December 1970 – the first recipient of that degree in the country.

In 1972, Ruth obtained an occupational therapy position in the Division of Geriatrics, which was later reclassified as adviser in occupational therapy. Ruth remained in that position until her retirement on 4 March 1989.

Ruth’s involvement in the Queensland Association of Occupational Therapists (QAOT) commenced in her student days. Following her graduation, she had a 20-year involvement as an executive member, holding positions of treasurer, secretary and vice-president. She was federal delegate to the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists and active on national committees. QAOT awarded Ruth honorary life membership in December 1989 when she retired.

The state Health Minister appointed Ruth as the inaugural chair of the Occupational Therapists Board of Queensland when the Occupational Therapists Act (1979) came into effect in April 1980 and registration of occupational therapists finally commenced. Ruth held that position until April 1992.

Ruth’s interests also included the National Parks Association of Queensland, of which she was a member since 1962, including vice-president from 1991 to 2005. She was awarded honorary life membership in 2007.

Ruth also travelled extensively and had an interest in photography, winning many prizes for it. She was a member of the Australian Photographic Society and the Queensland Camera Group.

From Jacqueline McConnell, Ruth’s friend and colleague:

Ruth didn’t suffer fools gladly and was a straight talker. She had many stories from her overseas and Australian travels. She excitedly told me about her “boyfriend” at an Independent Living Centre function when she first started going out with Rob. When travelling together to our Occupational Therapy Oldies breakfasts and lunches, she would talk about Rob and his family and the places she and Rob went. Rob went to her occupational therapy functions, and she to his family get-togethers and engineering reunion.

She enjoyed the outdoors and seemed to enjoy the walks we had in the later years in the gardens at Regis. The following are some of the memories I received from occupational therapy colleagues when hearing of Ruth’s passing:

• Several mentioned their memories of

Ruth during their student placements at

Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane • A couple of people recalled Ruth interviewing them for occupational therapy positions way back in the 1970s • One commented on Ruth’s photographic prowess, and another on her exotic cats • Ruth was a great advocate for occupational therapy, a pioneer in occupational therapy, dedicated to the profession, stalwart of the profession, and did so much for the profession