The Australian Women's Register

Jill Elder daughter of Daniel Fowler MacKenzie and Lilian May (née Moss) Elder, was educated at Skipton State School and Methodist Ladies College (Kew). She married Henry Edward Bolte (later Sir Henry) on 24 November 1934. Her husband was elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly (Liberal) for Hampton in 1947. Henry Bolte became leader of the Victorian Liberal party in 1953, and on 7 June 1955 the sixty-first Premier of Victoria. He served a total of 6288 days before retiring on 23 August 1972.

Jill Bolte’s voluntary work included positions as member of the State Council, Girl Guides Association (Victoria); State Council member Red Cross Society (Victorian Division). She was president of the Meredith Red Cross from 1949 to 1960 and treasurer from 1939 to 1949.

An honorary member of the Women’s Gallery Committee and Victoria League, Jill Bolte was also a member of the Alexandra Club, Royal Commonwealth Society, Liberal Club and Barwon Heads Golf Club. Her leisure actives included gardening, tennis, golf and fishing.

In 1960 the Australian Red Cross awarded Jill Bolte with a long service medal (20 years) and she received her first Bar in 1974. She also she received the Beaver Award from the Girl Guides Association.