The Australian Women's Register

Lorna McConchie was educated at East Kew Primary School and University High School. She studied physical education at the University of Melbourne and began lecturing in dance, movement and teaching practice. McConchie was involved in the establishment of the University’s prestigious physical education course, drawing students from all over the world.

From 1931 to 1940, McConchie played for the Victorian and the Australian netball teams She was vice-captain of the Australian team in 1939, but a planned tour to New Zealand had to be cancelled after the outbreak of WWII. From this time, McConchie became more involved in the administration of the sport. By 1949, she was representing the Australian Physical Education Association at the first women’s conference in Denmark. Ten years later she was the Australian delegate at the Inaugural Conference of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA), where an international constitution was accepted. Convenor of the initial IFNA Rules Sub-committee from 1963 to 1967, she remained a member of the Federation for twenty-five years and was awarded the IFNA Service Award in 1991.

McConchie continued her involvement with the game itself despite her administrative duties. In 1956 she had become Australian coach and manager of the first women’s touring netball team to visit England. In 1963, once again in England, she coached the undefeated Australian team at the first netball World Tournament.

Lorna McConchie was nominated as a member of the Netball Victoria Team of the Century in 2000, and in 2001 was inducted into the Netball Hall of Fame. She died the same year. Netball Victoria has named the State League Umpire Award in her honour.