Mary McConnel (pioneer)

[4] David McConnel had previously emigrated to the colony of Queensland in 1840, where he had founded Cressbrook Homestead, named after his father's mill in Derbyshire.

[5] On 27 December 1848, the McConnels departed The Downs on board the sailing ship Chaseley arriving in Brisbane on 1 May 1849.

On the 11th March, 1878, the Hospital for Sick Children opened in rented premises in Leichhardt Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane, on the site of the present St Paul's Presbyterian Church.

[8] McConnel hired a nurse and matron from England to run the hospital, while local women were trained.

[1] The Mcconnels' daughter Katherine Rose married Henry Plantagenet Somerset, who were the founders of Caboonbah Homestead.