• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0483

Williams, Meta Talbot

  • OBE
(1918 – 2010)
  • Born 7 July 1918, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Died 13 November 2010
  • Occupation Community worker

Summary

On 29 June 1985 Meta Williams was appointed to the Order of the British Empire – Officer (Civil) (OBE) for services to the Girl Guide Movement.

Williams’ association with Guiding commenced at the end of 1930 when she became a member of the 1st Coorparoo Company (23rd Brisbane) and was enrolled in early 1931. She went on to hold a variety of positions at local, state and national levels.

In 1984 Williams researched and complied the publication The Continuing Challenge: a history of Queensland Guiding from 1919-84 which was launched by Senator Lady Bjelke-Petersen. This was followed by The Continuing Challenge Part 11 1984-91 in 1992 as well as histories of four former State Commissioners’ terms of office.

Williams was also a member of the state executive of the YWCA Queensland, member of the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in Queensland and the Pan-Pacific and South-East Asia Women’s Association (Queensland).

In March 1981 Meta Williams was honoured in being elected Mother of the Year (Queensland).

Events

  • 1961 - 1990

    Member of the State Council of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1976 - 1981

    Member of the Australian Executive Girl Guides Association of Australia

  • 1976 - 1981

    State Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1973 - 1976

    State Headquarters Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1974 - 1975

    Australian Policy, Organisation and Rules Co-ordinator of the Girl Guides Association

  • 1972 - 1973

    Region Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1970 - 1972

    State Camping Advisor of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1965 - 1970

    State Guide Advisor

  • 1961 - 1965

    Division Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1936 - 1944

    Guide Leader of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1930

    Member of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1981 - 1986

    State Treasurer of the YWCA Queensland

  • 1980 - 1991

    Member of the YWCA Queensland

  • 1982 - 1985

    Honorary Treasurer of the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in Queensland

  • 1981 - 1991

    Member of United Nations Queensland Branch

  • 1976 - 1987

    Member of the Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association of Australia Inc Queensland Branch

  • 1987 - 1992

    Assistant State Archivist of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1981 - 1986

    Vice-President of the State Council of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 1976 - 1981

    Chairman of the State Executive of the Girl Guides Association of Queensland

  • 2018

    Born: daughter of Hubert Lethbridge and Gladys Elwyn Talbot Deshon

  • 1981

    Queensland Mother of the Year

  • 1969

    Awarded the Red Kangaroo for Guiding

  • 2043

    Married: Roderick Guildford Williams and they had one daughter

Published resources

  • Edited Book
    • Who's Who in Australia 2002, Herd, Margaret, 2002
  • Resource Section
  • Book
    • The continuing challenge. Part 2, A brief history of the progression and achievements of the Girl Guides Association (Queensland, Australia) July 1984 - March 1991, Williams, Meta (researched and compiled by), 1991
    • Lady Macartney, State Commissioner, 1919-1945: the first twenty-five years, Williams, Meta (compiled by), 1992
    • Mrs Lilian Gresham, MBE, State Commissioner, 1945-1954: the post-war reconstruction era, Williams, Meta (compiled by), 1992
    • Mrs Meta Williams, OBE, State Commissioner, 1976-1981: the progressive seventies, Williams, Meta (researched and compiled by), 1992
    • Mrs Joie Dwyer, State Commissioner, 1986-1991: challenge and achievement, Williams, Meta (researched and compiled by), 1992
  • Resource