With June Morris
by Sam Regi
In this narrative session with June Morris for True (formerly Family Planning Queensland), she recalls the organisation's foundation after a chance encounter with Marjorie Millburn at a school tuckshop.
The interviews with June, both alone and with Marjorie's daughter Susheela Millburn, explore June’s experiences from her upbringing in colonial Africa and England to her nursing and midwifery career, leading up to her pivotal role as a co-founder and educator at Family Planning Queensland.
The second interview then transitions into discussions surrounding Marjorie Millburn's legacy and her lasting impact on the organisation now known as True.
Press play to listen to an extract from the conversation with June.
"Repetition does wonderful things. Acting the parts does wonderful things. That's how I became experienced." - June Morris
The initial conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs inherent in establishing and expanding True's services. June details navigating the socio-political landscape of sexual health in Queensland during the 1970s and 1980s, a period marked by significant social change and evolving attitudes toward women's health and reproductive rights. Through June's vivid recollections, the interview provides insights into the evolution of sexual health awareness and advocacy in Queensland. It also underscores the significant contributions made by True and its dedicated team of healthcare professionals and educators in providing accessible, confidential, and non-judgmental services to the community.
June, you’ve had such an impactful career. Can you tell us about one of your early experiences in delivering sex education at TAFE Colleges?
I remember turning up at the TAFE College, ready for a session. I had everything with me—the films, the family planning leaflets, and even a box of contraceptives. The projector was already set up, and I headed straight to the principal’s office to introduce myself. I said, "My name is June Morris. I’m here for the plumbing students." Well, the poor principal was mortified. He was clearly flustered and picked up the phone immediately, calling the head of plumbing, saying, “Mrs. Venereal Disease has arrived.”
I’ve been called many things over the years, but that one was a first! Despite the awkward start, the session went surprisingly well. The head of plumbing and his students were very receptive. From then on, we became a regular fixture, teaching every group of plumbing apprentices during their seven-week training blocks.
June Morris at home.
It sounds like the program was quite well received. Did it expand beyond the plumbing apprentices?
Absolutely. Word spread quickly, and soon we were asked to run sessions for other types of apprentices. It became so popular that I had to bring in more staff to keep up with the demand. Eventually, we were even invited to deliver sessions at secretarial colleges for the girls. The response was always positive, and we provided the education free of charge.
At the time, sex education was banned in government agencies, but we managed to fly under the radar. We were getting the message out without breaking any official rules—at least, until someone’s mother complained.
What happened with the complaint?
Well, one of the boys had apparently taken a condom from one of our sessions, and his mother found it in his pocket. She wasn’t happy about it and lodged a formal complaint with the education department, accusing us of corrupting the students. It was quite the scandal!
The next thing we knew, the program was axed. Overnight, we were told we could no longer teach at any of the male colleges. However, the secretarial teachers fought hard for us to continue with the girls, and thankfully, we were allowed to carry on with them. What a daft story is that?
Talking Stories with June Morris
"Her determination, her charm, and her ability to make people see things differently. She didn’t just talk about change—she made it happen. And she did it all with elegance and conviction." - June Morris about Marjorie Millburn
June Morris with Susheela Millburn
A follow-up conversation was conducted with June Morris, featuring Susheela Millburn. Their discussion centered on the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Marjorie Millburn, a co-founder of what was once Family Planning Queensland, now known as True.
Structured as a conversation, this interview offers a deeper understanding of Marjorie’s character and the profound influence she had as a mother, friend, and pioneering advocate. June Morris, a co-founder, colleague, and confidante, joins Susheela, Marjorie’s daughter, to reflect on her multifaceted role—within her family, her profession, and the broader social landscape.
Marjorie is remembered as a woman of elegance, charm, and formidable effectiveness. June Morris recalls that she could “charm the pants off a donkey,” a testament to her ability to engage with people from all walks of life. With unwavering dedication to family planning and women’s health, she navigated the challenges of her time with vision and determination.
This conversation not only brings to life Marjorie’s personal and professional impact but also explores the historical context of family planning in Queensland. Through their stories, Susheela and June shed light on the challenges and triumphs of establishing a pioneering organization that continues to shape lives today.
Marjorie had a distinctive style. How did that shape people's perception of her?
Susheela Millburn: Marjorie had an elegance that was quite disarming. She was tall—about 5'10" or 5'10.5"—and she loved wearing high heels, which made her even taller. I remember much later in life, after she had retired, she had a fall. When the orthopedic surgeon told her she wouldn’t be able to wear heels again, she was quite miffed! She had always taken pride in looking great, and she never lost that sense of style.
June Morris: I remember when she broke her leg in the late ‘70s, she was on crutches for weeks. But despite that, she carried herself with such poise that one of the staff members once remarked, “Trust Marjorie to look elegant on crutches.” And it was true—she never lost her grace.
She sounds like someone with a strong presence. Was she also a charismatic leader?
June Morris: Absolutely. She had a charm that could, as they say, "charm the pants off a donkey." That’s one of the reasons family planning services thrived under her leadership. She had this ability to engage with people, whether they were politicians or skeptics, and bring them into her vision. She would personally take them on tours of the clinic, explaining the work being done, and I think many left with their minds completely changed about what we were trying to achieve.
Her work in family planning had a profound impact. How would you describe her legacy?
June Morris: Marjorie’s contribution to women’s health and to society as a whole was massive. The work she championed continues today in the form of True, the organisation that carries forward her mission. Her efforts fundamentally changed a certain aspect of women's and men's lives forever.
Susheela Millburn: Even in her personal life, she was incredibly resilient. I remember after a back operation, the surgeon came to check on her the next morning and commented that she didn’t look like she had just undergone surgery. Without missing a beat, she replied, “Well, I’m not ill, so why would I look bad?” That was Marjorie—graceful, strong, and always in control of her own narrative.
What do you think people should remember most about her?
June Morris: Her determination, her charm, and her ability to make people see things differently. She didn’t just talk about change—she made it happen. And she did it all with elegance and conviction.
Susheela Millburn.
Talking Career Stories celebrates professional legacies.
Whether it's the journey of a groundbreaking entrepreneur, the impact of a dedicated leader, or the evolution of a visionary career, we help individuals and organisations preserve their professional stories in a meaningful and lasting way.
This story of June Morris and Marjorie Millburn was created for True Relationships & Reproductive Health (True), a profit-for-purpose organisation that Marjorie and June helped establish in 1972. True strives to create a positive social impact by improving reproductive and sexual health and promoting safe, respectful relationships through expert clinical services, education, and counseling.