Australia’s first female stockbroker honoured by UQ MBA prize

Australia’s first female stockbroker Dr Margaret Mittelheuser has been honoured by a UQ MBA prize established in her name by Bruce Wallis, Chairman of ABN-AMRO Morgans Ltd.

Additional funds were generously given by her sister Dr Cathryn Mittelheuser to enable the $1000 prize to be awarded in perpetuity.

Dr Mittelheuser achieved a place in Stock Exchange history when she was appointed as the first female partner in a stockbroking firm Ralph W King & Yuill in 1964.

She said it was her skill in investing some money inherited from an uncle that brought her to the notice of her first stockbroking employer.

“I was working in the public service at the time and rocking the boat a bit by declining to make tea for the men,” Dr Mittelheuser said.

Sister Cathryn is equally distinguished with a doctorate in plant physiology and a string of influential publications. Both women also have honorary doctorates from The University of Queensland – possibly the only time two sisters have been awarded by the same Australian institution.

Inaugural prize winner Michael Young said he was thrilled and surprised to win the prize.

“It was a great honour to accept the prize and get to know Margaret and Cathryn a little over a celebratory lunch,” Mr Young said.

UQ Business School Director of Postgraduate Programs Dr Polly Parker said the Dr Margaret Mittelheuser AM and ABN AMRO Morgans Ltd Prize in MBA Accounting and Finance was awarded to an MBA student in each graduating year to achieve the highest combined marks in the first attempt at both ACCT7020 and FINM7065.

For more information, contact Cathy Stacey on (07) 3365 6179 or 0434 074 372