Morna Franklin was a deeply respected and much-loved figure in Queensland netball. A Life Member of both Netball Queensland, Metropolitan Districts Netball Association and the Mayfield Netball Club, which she helped to found, Morna devoted her life to growing and supporting the game she loved.
Over more than two decades, she served as State Events Manager for Netball Queensland and was a long-standing Manager of Queensland State Teams, particularly the 21U program throughout the 1990s. Her dedication and service to netball were formally recognised when she was awarded an OBE for her contribution to the sport.
Morna was also awarded life membership of Netball Queensland in 1991.
Morna also represented Queensland and Australia with distinction as a bench official at the Commonwealth Games, both on the Gold Coast and in Manchester, earning the admiration of peers across the netball community.
A passionate supporter of the Queensland Firebirds since their earliest days at Chandler, Morna rarely missed a match — her purple pride and enthusiasm for the team were unwavering.
Beyond her achievements, Morna will be remembered for her warmth, encouragement, and generosity of spirit. She had a unique ability to bring out the best in others, always offering a smile, kind word, or quiet strength. Her legacy lives on through the many athletes, colleagues, and friends whose lives she touched — a true champion of netball and of people.
Netball Queensland’s thoughts are with Morna’s family at this time.
