Evans, Beryl Alice

Entry type: Person
Entry ID: AWE0457

The Honourable; Bec
Married name Bowman, Beryl
Maiden name Williams, Beryl

(1922 – 2006)

Born 22 February 1922, Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia
Died 16 May 2006, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation Parliamentarian, Servicewoman

Summary

Beryl Evans was a Liberal Member of the Legislative Council in the New South Wales parliament from 1984-1995. She later ran unsuccessfully for the Senate as an independent, and for the New South Wales Legislative Council as a member of the Seniors Party. She was an official candidate for the 1998 Constitutional Convention, representing the One Australian Monarchist League, but was not elected.

During World War Two, Evans served in the Royal Auxiliary Australian Air Force with distinction. She became president of the WAAAF Branch of the RAAF Association New South Wales Division on 25 March 1997.

Details

Parliamentary and Local Government Career

Candidate: New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Burrendong, 1973 (known as Bowman)
Elected: MLC, 1984-1995 (known as Evans)
Candidate: Senate, NSW, 1996
Candidate: Legislative Council, 1999 (known as Evans)
Party: Liberal, 1973,1984-95
Party: Independent, 1996
Party: The Seniors Party, 1999

Beryl Evans was elected as a Liberal Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1984. During her 11 years of service she was chairman of the Privileges committee and a member of the Stay Safe committee. From 1990 to 1991 Evans was Government Whip. Upon her retirement in 1995 Her Majesty the Queen granted the title of the Honourable to Beryl Evans for life.

On 12 November 1942 Evans joined the Royal Auxiliary Australian Air Force. Serving as a drill instructor and physical training instructor she obtained the ranks of corporal and sergeant before being commissioned in 1944. Beryl Evans was discharged on 25 September 1945 with the rank of section officer.

Beryl Evans became president of the WAAAF Branch of the RAAF Association NSW Division on 25 March 1997. She is a vice-president of the RAAF Association, a member of the Council and executive and national executive representative to Australian Veteran Defence Services Council.

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Events

1962 - 1971
Councilor for Coolah Shire
2042 - 2045
Served with the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force
1984 - 1995
Member of the Legislative Council (Liberal) for New South Wales
1976
Married: Richard Kelywack Evans
1981
Graduated with Economic Degree from University of New England
1944
Married: Kenneth Graham Bowman and they had two sons
1988 - 1995
Government representative on the Governing Body of the University of New England

Digital resources

Published resources

Resource Section
- BOWMAN, BERYL ALICE, Department of Veterans' Affairs, 2002, http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1069578
Edited Book
- Who's Who in Australia, 1988, Cadman, Kerith A, 1988
Resource
- Trove
Site Exhibition
- Putting Skirts on the Sacred Benches: Women Candidates for the New South Wales Parliament, Australian Women's Archives Project, 2006, http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/pssb/home.html

Related entries

Related Organisations
- Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) (1941 - 1947)
Membership
- RAAF Association (NSW Division) - WAAAF Branch (1946 - )
Presided
- RAAF Association (NSW Division) - WAAAF Branch (1946 - )
Related Concepts
- Women in Politics: Liberal Party of Australia
- Women in Politics: Independents