The Australian Women's Register

Fanny Brownbill, nee Alford was born on 28 April 1890 at Modewarre, near Geelong, daughter of James Alford, labourer and Ann Abbott, who was born in England. She was educated at local state schools and grew up in impoverished circumstances.

After working as his Housekeeper for seven years, she married James Brownbill a widower with four children on 24 January 1920. He was elected to the Victorian Parliament as member for Geelong in the same year. He represented the residents of Geelong for fifteen years from 1920 until 1932 and then from 1935 until his death in 1938. Fanny Brownbill presented herself as a candidate in the ensuing by-election for the seat of Geelong and was elected. She promoted the cause of women, children and the family during her time in parliament.

Her community activities included serving as president of the Matthew Flinders Girls’ School Council, the Geelong and Western District Orphanage Ladies’ Auxiliary and as a member of the Geelong Young Women’s Christian Association and the Ladies’ Benevolent Society. She was also a committee member of the Old Folks Home, a Justice of the Peace, a worker for the Red Cross , the Australian Comforts Fund during World War Two and other charities. She was an active member of the Latrobe Terrace Church of Christ.

She died in office in 1948 and at that time was the only female member in the Victorian parliament.