“May none of what she has given to each one of us be lost in
her transition,’’ Judge Alan Demack said in his eulogy for the late
philanthropist and music identity Helene Jones (nee Baird ’34) when she passed
in 2013. Helene left a wonderful gift to St Margaret’s in her Will, in honour
of her sister, Nora.
Helene’s gift is one that supports passionate and budding young music professionals now and into the future. The Helene Jones Estate for Nora Baird provides regular contributions to St Margaret’s Scholarship Fund for music scholarships.
Helene took such delight in the way other people exercised their talents, musical or otherwise, that her own achievements disappeared from her mind.
Helene’s own musical achievements were great. At the age of three in Ireland, Helene Baird was playing snatches of melody, often of her own making on the piano. At five, Helene was given a book of examination pieces and although it was a momentous occasion, Helene did not realise it; instead she saw so many more chances to make new music. She passed that First Steps, the Primaries and the Elementariness of the Associated Board with Honours and this was all before she could read the titles of the pieces, when her ambition was to be able to reach the pedals!
Helene left Ireland when she was still a child, and her sister, Nora, who was a music teacher did not join her in Brisbane until the following year.
Over time, Helene created quite the reputation for her Brisbane Eisteddfod work, and was studying violin under composer Gwen de Grant, while also studying elocution. Helene even took up dancing for a time.
St Margaret’s, then known as St Margaret’s C.E.H.S., was Helene’s alma mater for two years from 1931 – 1932. Nora secured a teaching position at St Margaret’s retiring some years later in 1973.
While studying all the usual junior subjects, Helene still took many musical examinations in piano, violin and theory. Helene reflected, “I got more fun out of my violin during those years. We used to play trios and the like for school concerts. One windy night I had the idea of using a safety pin to secure our music to the stand. In the middle of the piece we seconds had to stop while I un-pinned and re-pinned our music. Meanwhile the firsts were half a page ahead!”
Helene went on pursue teaching at the Teachers' Training College where she received honours in the final grade, which entailed the reward of her entry to Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (L.R.S.M). During her studies, Helene received top marks in the state in each of the four diplomas. The first student to be awarded both, Helene was awarded the Broadwood and Whitehouse gold medals for her efforts. The University of Queensland recommended Helene as this state’s most promising pupil in a national contest for a significant scholarship, where she placed second.
Helene had the honour of performing before Russian/Ukrainian born British pianist Benno Moiseiwitsch CBE and British born composer Dr Edgar Bainton. While she would have loved to have studied abroad, Helene felt there was much more she could do in Brisbane. It was that commitment to supporting a thriving musical scene locally that she took with her to Rockhampton in 1966 when she married Les Jones, Rockhampton City Council alderman.
She immediately became part of a larger family with a stepson Neil and a stepdaughter Avis, together with Neil’s wife Jean and Avis’s husband Paul. As each of these couples had children of their own, she became an instant grandmother. Her family grew to four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Although Les brought Helene in touch with new areas of interest, Helene continued her involvement in musical activities.
For someone who first won the Under 9 section at the Belfast Musical Competition when aged seven, interest and involvement in the Rockhampton Eisteddfod was entirely natural.
When the Rockhampton Chamber Music Society formed in 1973, Helene became a member. Rockhampton Youth Orchestra, Rockhampton Musical Union and Capricorn Silver Band all attracted her involvement and support as patron. Aware that the world of artistic expression extends beyond music, she was a Friend of the Pilbeam Theatre and Rockhampton Art Gallery.
Helene was the only person in the Rockhampton musical community who was surprised when in 1996 she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to community music, particularly through Rockhampton Chamber Music Society, choirs and arts organisations.
Her sister, Nora, also made a great contribution to music in Queensland, as a teacher at St Margaret’s, foundation member of the Queensland Conservatorium, church organist, examiner and supporter of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. In 1980, Nora was awarded an MBE for her work in promoting musical activity and appreciation.
*The content within this story has been reproduced from the Teleradio Newspaper article published in 1937 and The Morning Bulletin article published on 3 November 2012.
If you would like further information about leaving a gift to St Margaret’s in your Will, please contact Lara Pickering, Director of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement, on +61 7 3862 0884 or email foundation@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.
If you have included St Margaret’s in your Will, please let us know so that we can appropriately acknowledge your wonderful support.