Helen (Ella) Tolmie (1866-1945) was the first probationer signed up to train as a nurse at the Toowoomba General Hospital. She lead a movement to establish the Hospital Help Society and as a member of this helped the drive to expand the hospital. These expansions included the Mother’s Hospital which she, Dr Freshney and others helped campaign for. A dedicated Mothers Hospital helped to improve outcomes for women and their babies within the region. On completing further training, Nurse Tolmie became Matron of Toowoomba General Hospital in 1897. During World War One she resigned to take a position at the Military Hospital at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane. She trained nurses and although regretted not being able to serve overseas her skills enabled others to do so. She was sent to assist with the Influenza pandemic in Kyogle, NSW. Upon her death she was buried at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetry. Throughout her life she fought to make a better world through her dedication to her profession. Sometimes she made the choice to fight what she believed would improve outcomes for communities and other times, especially in the Army, she accepted the tasks assigned to her in order to contribute in the way needed.