Anderson, M J R 'Curly'

Toowoomba’s 43rd Mayor, Mr M J R Anderson, was actively involved in community affairs for much of his life.

Popularly known as 'Curly', he was Mayor of the city from 1952 to 1958 and in addition, served as the Member for Toowoomba East in the Queensland Parliament from 1957 until 1966.

Mr Anderson was elected to the City Council in May 1952 and appointed Deputy Mayor in August 1952 following the resignation from that position of Mr E E Gold. In October that year, he convincingly won the Mayoral election by about 5000 votes.

During his long period of service to the Toowoomba community, 'Curly' Anderson was member of the Chamber of Commerce, the South Toowoomba Progress Association and the St Vincent’s Hospital advisory committee.

He served as president of the Toowoomba State High School Parents and Citizens’ Association and the Toowoomba South Rotary Club and was also chairman of the Toowoomba branch of the Queensland Road Safety Council.

But it is for his service to handicapped children that he is probably best remembered. For this work he was awarded an O.B.E. in the New Year’s honours list in 1970 and in August 1971, was named Queensland Father of the Year.

He was Toowoomba branch president of the Queensland Subnormal Children’s Welfare Association (now Endeavour Foundation) for 17 years, State president for four years, and one month before his death on November 14, 1971, aged 62, was elected national president.

A native of Toowoomba, Mervyn John Reginald Anderson began work as a delivery boy in his father’s grocery store. Later, he operated a service station at Drayton and then took over the managership of Western Transport Pty Ltd. He eventually became managing director of the firm.

He began his many years of community service on the now defunct Drayton council.

Mr Anderson was keenly interested in sport and at various times was president of the South Toowoomba Bowling Club and patron of the Drayton Bowling Club.

Prior to an accident, which caused the amputation of his right leg, he was renowned for his motorcycle racing activities. At one time, he held the distinction of being the only Queenslander to win the Australian T T race at Bathurst.

Mr Anderson is survived by his wife, who now lives on the Gold Coast, two sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren.