The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Isobel Humphery was three when her father was killed in France in 1917. She and her three elder siblings were educated with the help of the Soldiers’ Children Education Scheme. Before marrying Ronald Humphery, at the outbreak of World War II, Isobel obtained a Bachelor of Arts with a Diploma of Education. She became a teacher and later a member of the Australian College of Education.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald Humphery was accidentally killed while serving in Borneo. Survived by his wife and five-month old son, Isobel returned to the teaching profession. She became headmistress of the Sydney Church of England Girls’ Grammar School, Redlands, a position she held for 28 years until she retired.

Isobel became a foundation member of the War Widows’ Guild of New South Wales and in 1947 accepted the appointment (in a voluntary capacity) to the State Board of the Soldiers’ Children Education Scheme.

Isobel Humphery was the first person educated under the Board to become a member of the Board.