He through his vision for the continued growth and stability of Mount Isa Mine; she for her tangible efforts in improving the lifestyle of women and their families within the infantile township. It was a lifestyle that Mrs Kruttschnitt was all too familiar with, as she accompanied her husband to desolate mining sites in Mexico and Arizona, before finally arriving in yet another new country, way down yonder in the southern hemisphere – Australia.

As the new mining executive’s wife, Mrs Kruttschnitt was diligent in her belief that everyone ought to work together to make life more adaptable. And the local women were very recipient to her ideas on improving their social welfare and support of established organisations such as the Country Women’s Association.

Such was her influence that a ladies only social club was formed to extend friendship, guide women in the social graces of the day and provide a little refinement in the arts while importantly providing a venue for mixed social entertainment. The new venue, and organisation, was named Marie Kruttschnitt Club, in her honour. It soon gained momentum as ‘the’ ladies social club in the community.

As one scribe wrote, “The Marie Kruttschnitt Club is one of the best equipped and possibly the least expensive women’s club in the whole of Queensland.” He admonished local women for not taking full advantage of the amenities offered, especially its catering options which in 1949 were remarkably cheap, starting at 5/- (five shillings) per head.

The club rooms were described as spacious, tastefully furnished with an art deco style and most importantly it had the newly designed free-standing electric fans for the comfort of members and their guests. In its formative years, the annual membership fee was kept at an affordable fee of £1/4/- (One pound and four shillings).

As the largest venue in Mount Isa in which to hold balls and large-scale dinner functions, Hilton Hall quickly became the preferred venue to host visiting dignitaries. The Governor General of Australia, Field Marshall Sir William Slim and Lady Slim, The Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Robert Menzies and Queensland Governor, Sir Henry Abel Smith and Lady Abel Smith were hosted by Mount Isa Mines and the Marie Kruttschnitt Club at Hilton Hall.

But the highlight each year was the visit by the reigning Miss Australia who would address club members with the latest information on the National Spastic Children’s Association for which each quest entrant was encouraged to raise funds.

Reigning quest winners included Shirley Bliss (1954), Maureen Kissel (1955) and Miss G McKay in 1959. Each Miss Australia brought a hint of the latest fashion, as evidenced by her wardrobe, and a refresher knowledge in social etiquette, all of which the local women devoured with interest.

The Mount Isa Mail reported that the Marie Kruttschnitt Club’s Annual Queen’s Birthday Ball as being “the most delightful ball to open the social season each year”. The club was famous for three annual events’ The Queen’s Birthday Ball in June, The Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon in early November and the Christmas Dinner Dance in December.

And with the large number of nationalities represented in the community, the Annual All Nations Day Dinner Dance, was an epicurean’s delight, not to mention the appreciation of the many national dances and music. Apart from the gaiety of the social functions, the Marie Kruttschnitt Club in keeping with the ideals of its name sake, was integral in the formation of the Day Nursery located in Oban Road.

Referred to as their sub branch because of the hands on support their members gave in the beautification of the grounds and furnishing of the day care rooms, the club regularly held fundraising functions to assist with the purchase of new teaching aids and equipment.

Fortuitously Mrs Weinprecht, a club member, was appointed the first nursery supervisor. She said the nursery was a boon to the mothers of Mount Isa as it was a day care facility, but it was also a new environment for young children to prepare for big school.

And while she acknowledged the wonderful support of Mount Isa Mines, she said the ongoing contribution of the Marie Kruttschnitt Club could not be under estimated. But then in the late 1970s, Mount Isa Mines advised Mineside residents that they were to vacate their homes as the mine operations were to expand.

Sadly, the once grand old lady, Hilton Hall which was originally built as Mount Isa’s first hospital and then reinvented into a grand ball room was demolished, along with the former residential homes, necessitating the move of the Marie Kruttschnitt Club to new premises along the Barkly Highway.

Built through the generosity of Mount Isa Mines Limited, club members availed themselves of the modern facilities of their new venue for many years before the sad decline in membership numbers brought about the closure of its once dominion of feminine standards in the community.

With her indomitable spirit and foresight, the club’s founder had left her mark on two arid communities in both the northern and southern hemispheres: her home which today is a part of Tucson heritage in Arizona, USA, and her contribution to the welfare of the wives and families of the mining pioneers of Mount Isa. And, not to forget the formidable ladies club - the Marie Kruttschnitt Club.

Researched and written by Kim-Maree Burton www.kimmareeburton.com. Photographs courtesy of North Queensland History Collection.  Information sought from MIMAG, Townsville Bulletin, Cloncurry Advocate, Mt Isa Mail and the North West Star.