The Australian Women's Register

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.

Before enlisting in the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) in 1960, June Healy was a member of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corp. She attended the 9/60 Officer Cadet Course (OCS) and was then posted as Adjutant/Quartermaster at 31 WRAAC Barrack Melbourne and in 1962 to WRAAC School as Adjutant (CMF).

After her marriage to Major John Healy in 1963, June held an assortment of positions, usually in the area of training and office management, wherever her husband was posted. Also she worked as a volunteer on numerous Army Wives Committees and helped in setting up the first Thrift Shop at the Canungra Land Welfare Centre to assist in the funding of the local Girl Guides. In 1978 Healy became a member of the WRAAC Association and served as the State vice-president and president of the ACT Association. From 1995 until 1999 she was National president. From 1981 Healy was a foundation member of the Defence Widows Support Group. This group assists defence widows whose husbands were not killed during war service, did not die of war caused disabilities and therefore do not qualify for a War Widows’ Pension. On 11 June 1990 June Healy was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to veterans. In 1994 she became a member of the War Widows’ Guild of Australia (ACT) and was State president from 1995 to 1998 and National president from 1998 to 2002.

In October 2002 June Healy joined the Australian Women in War Project representing the War Widows’ Guild of Australia.

After the death of Colonel Kathleen Best, an appeal was launched to erect memorial gates at the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corp (WRAAC) School at Georges Heights. Members and ex-members of the Corps were encouraged to submit designs and ideas. Sergeant Juanita Feltham’s design was selected. [1]

Juanita Feltham had joined the WRAAC to combine her wartime skills and experience with her post-war training in fine arts. Janette Bomford states in Soldiers of the Queen that Feltham had a successful army career producing training aids, posters, book illustrations, and terrain model making. [2]

Feltham’s design for the gates feature 47 gumleaf-shaped spikes that denote each year of Colonel Best’s life and her Australian nationality. The gate on the left represents her nursing career and the one on the right her contribution to the army, especially the WRAAC. The central cruciform design symbolises Christianity and her Royal Red Cross.

The memorial gates and commemoration plaque on the left pillar were made by apprentices at the Balcombe Army School and the stone-work carried out by the 17th Construction Squadron of the Royal Australian Engineers. The ceramic tiles on the right pillar were made by Klytie Pate and feature formation signs of all Australian commands. Prominence is given to the waratah, the emblem of New South Wales, and Colonel Best’s home state. [3]

Feltham became responsible for the graphics section of the newly formed Australian Army Audio-visual Unit, which had not had a female member until 1970 when two WRAAC members were appointed to the staff. [4]

On 13 June 1964 Warrant Officer 2 Juanita Cecila Feltham was appointed to the Order of the British Empire (Military).

[1] Soldiers of the Queen by Janette Bomford p. 47
[2] ibid p. 26
[3] ibid p. 47
[4] ibid p. 73

Nora Fisher represents the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) Association of New South Wales on the Australian Women in War Project working group. Fisher has been active in both the state and national WRAAC Associations since joining in 1977. She has been the New South Wales secretary and editor of the newsletter Best Times. Fisher is the current secretary of the WRAAC Association Australia.

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).

Betty Ball, the daughter of Frederick (Australian Infantry Force World War 1) and Emily Newlyn, was educated at Manly West Public and Manly Domestic Science Schools. She joined the Brownies and later became a member of the Girl Guides. Ball was employed as a clerk with H V Leckie & Wilkinson, Insurance Supervisors until she joined the services.

In 1938 Ball joined the Australian Women’s Flying Club and had her first flight in a Gypsy Moth with pilot Gwen Stark, who later became Wing Officer with the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). At the beginning of World War II the clubs lectures were centred on air raid precautions, first aid, Morse code etc. In the early 1940s the club amalgamated with the Women’s Australian National Service.

On the 16 January 1942, Ball enlisted in the WAAAF and served as a stores clerk. After completing a photographic course at Fairbairn Canberra, in 1943, she was promoted to the rank of Corporal. She was stationed at Bankstown, Waterloo, Mildura, Canberra, East Sale and Brisbane before being discharged from the Central Photo School at Bradfield Park on 29 November 1945. Betty Ball served a total of 3 years 11 months.

In 1947 she married ex-serviceman Reginald Arthur Ball and they had two sons (one deceased) and two daughters. The family moved from Sydney to Perth (1950), to Brisbane (1963) and back to Sydney in 1967. While in Brisbane Betty Ball became a member of the local branch of the WAAAF Branch of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Association.

Betty Ball joined the New South Wales Division of the WAAAF of the RAAF Association in 1982 and was editor of the WAAAF Chat magazine for 9 years. Ball was a delegate on numerous occasions to RAAF Association Assemblies, held the position of vice-president of the WAAAF Branch and was a member of the State Council of RAAF Association. Ball was also on the committee for the Seniors Club of St Johns Church, Sutherland. In November 2002 Betty Ball became a participant in the Australian Women in War Project.

Sergeant Joy Linnane served with the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) during World War II. She enlisted on 11 April 1942 and was discharged on 7 December 1945.

After the war Linnane joined the Sydney WAAAF Branch and has been a member since 1956. During that time she has held the positions of vice-president, treasurer, state councillor and delegate to country branches.

Betty Twynam-Perkins and Leith Cameron married in July 1940. They both joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in April 1941. After the war Betty Cameron joined the WAAAF Branch of the RAAF Association. She held various positions including president, secretary and treasurer. She also has been the convenor of two national reunions for the WAAAF, as well as a committee member. Her other community work included being a member of MU (Mothers’ Union) Australia and a voluntary driver at Concord Hospital.

Leading Aircraftwoman (LACW) Kathleen Pearson was appointed to the Order of the British Empire (Military) on 25 January 1955 for brave conduct in a fire in a barracks. In June 1954, while stationed at No. 1 Stores Depot, Tottenham, she and another servicewoman of the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) were in the recreation room. While talking and standing before an open fire, Pearson’s companion’s clothing caught fire. Pearson attempted to extinguish the flames but the other servicewoman, frightened and screaming, tried to run. Pearson caught her, threw her to the ground and rolled her in nearby carpet to extinguish the flames before seeking assistance. Pearson received second-degree burns, and her companion recovered. For her actions LACW Kathleen Pearson was appointed to the Order of the British Empire (BEM).

For lifesaving after the ship Centaur was attacked by a Japanese submarine, Lieutenant Ellen Savage was awarded the George Medal on 22 August 1944.

Ruby Rich was a significant figure in the Australian women’s movement in the interwar period. A concert pianist in London and Sydney, she was an early president of the Australian Federation of Women Voters and joined the Feminist Club in Sydney in 1923. She was instrumental in the formation of the Racial Hygiene Association of New South Wales in 1925. Over the next 50 years she was a member and office-holder in numerous feminist, family planning, peace, international and Jewish organisations.

Over the course of her life Alice Moss worked with a number of women’s organisations, as well as various education, child welfare and Red Cross societies. Educated at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Melbourne, she married I H Moss in 1887 (deceased 1938) and they had two daughters. In 1914 she relinquished her position as vice-president of the Australian Women’s National League to become the only female member of the Victorian recruiting committee for the Armed Services. Later she became the only woman member of the Victorian Centenary Celebrations executive committee (1933-1934). At the same time she was president of the Women’s Centenary Council of Victoria as well as being the first president of the National Council of Women (1931-1936). On 4 June 1934 she was appointed Commander of the British Empire.

After her husband’s death in 1896 Jessie White commenced general nursing training at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria. She completed her midwifery training at the Women’s Hospital (later Royal) in 1901. Five years later she was in charge and running her own private hospital as well as serving as a reservist in the Australian Army Nursing Service.

When war broke out in 1914, she enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service, rising through the ranks to be appointed Principal Matron of the Australian Army Nursing Service in December 1915.

Millie Best was one of the first two women elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly. Throughout her life she was a dedicated community and voluntary worker including being a commandant in the Voluntary Aid Detachment Canteen Services during World War II.

On 2 January 1956 Amelia Best was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to social welfare.

On 15 March 1941 Peg Cockburn (later Utting) was one of ‘The Original Mob’ who enrolled in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) at the No 1 RAAF Recruit Centre. After completing a ‘rookie training’ course she was employed as a teleprinter operator and trainer during World War II. Peg Utting was one of the servicewomen that the WAAAF used for recruiting photographs.

On 17 March 1946, Wing Officer Audrey Herring was appointed to the position of Staff Officer in the Directorate of Personal Services Women’s Auxiliary Australian Airforce (WAAAF). Previously the Deputy Director WAAAF since 17 November 1943, in this new appointment Herring became responsible for all WAAAF matters.

Prior to joining the WAAAF, Herring worked as a journalist at the Courier Mail in Brisbane and also wrote for Women’s Weekly before she worked on Fleet Street, London, in 1937. Following the outbreak of the World War II she returned to Brisbane and became a Red Cross volunteer, at times cooking breakfasts for servicemen on leave.

After joining the WAAAF, Herring completed the No 1 administrative course at Methodist Ladies College, Kew. During her time in the Service she was promoted through the ranks and before being discharged was effectively in charge of the organisation.

In 1947 Herring was recruited by Sir Keith Murdoch to become the women’s editor for the Herald and Weekly Times. She left the company in March 1948 to marry Dr John Craig and the couple moved to Western Australia.

In Perth Audrey Craig became involved with community services. She was a member of the Western Australian branch of the Save the Children Fund and sponsored children from destitute backgrounds for 35 years. Also she was a board member of the Western Australian Hospital Benefits Fund for 15 years as well as being a friend of the Royal Perth Hospital for 25 years and a financial supporter of the Bible Society of Australia.

Audrey Craig died on 11 May 1994 in Western Australia.

From 1976 until 2002 Helen Crisp was an Honorary Fellow with the University of Canberra (formerly Canberra College of Advanced Education). She was made a Member of the Order of Australia on 8 June 1981 for service to education.

The daughter of E and D Wighton, Crisp completed her education at Girton (Adelaide) before graduating from the universities of Adelaide and Oxford. She married Leslie Crisp (later a professor at the Australian National University) on 22 June 1940. Helen Crisp, a feminist who worked in the field of education, was a member of several women’s and social welfare organisations.

Sarah (Fanny) Durack battled local swimming authorities to become the first Australian woman to compete at the Olympic Games. In 1912, at Stockholm, she won the gold medal in the 100 meters freestyle event, beating her compatriot and training partner, Wilhelmina (Mina) Wylie. She went on to break numerous world records until she retired from competitive swimming in 1921.

The Canberra Women’s Liberation Group was formed in June 1970 after two women from Sydney Women’s Liberation spoke to eight female anti-Vietnam War activists, who decided to meet on a weekly basis on Wednesday evenings, to discuss their own form of oppression. The weekly meetings continued until 1976. One of its founding members was Julia Ryan. Their meetings were held in different houses in Canberra suburbs until 1975, when they shared Canberra Women’s House with the Women’s Electoral Lobby and the Abortion Counselling Service.

The Women’s Studies Program was established at the Australian National University in 1976 as the result of activism and political pressure applied by students who were connected to the Women’s Liberation movement. In the first instance, the program’s key aims were to explore the position and representation of women in Australian and other societies, the forces producing female subjectivity and women’s experiences of femininity. Moving the examination of these questions into the academy was an important step in the development of a feminist critique of existing disciplines and institutional structures and the development of feminist scholarship in general.

The ACT Women’s Consultative Council was established in 1989 by the then chief minister Rosemary Follett to advise the chief minister on the status of women and women’s issues. It ceased operation in 2001.

The National Foundation for Australian Women was established in 1989 by the bequest of Canberra feminist, Pamela Denoon. NFAW objectives are: to advance and protect all interests of Australian women in all spheres; to ensure that the aims and ideals of the women’s movement and its collective wisdom are handed on to new generations of Australian women. The foundation seeks to strengthen and support women’s groups by: sponsoring research and advocacy; working to increase support for feminist goals in the community, and improving communication among women’s groups. NFAW founded the Australian Women’s Archive Project in 1999.

Beryl Women’s Refuge was the first women’s refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence in the ACT. It provided accommodation and a range of legal, welfare and health services to a diverse range of clients.

The Melbourne Working Women’s Centre was the first trade union women’s research and advisory centre in Australia. Established in 1975, under the auspices of the white collar union peak body, the Australian Council of Salaried and Professional Associations (ACSPA), it operated as an independent lobby and research group concentrating on women’s issues in employment. When the ACSPA amalgamated with the ACTU in 1979, so too did the Working Women’s Centre. It became defunct in 1984.

The Australian Women’s Charter was a program of reforms put forward by women for incorporation into government planning of postwar reconstruction. Described as ‘the feminist agenda for postwar reconstruction’ and ‘a landmark feminist manifesto’, the charter documented a wide range of issues and objectives that were discussed at the Australian Women’s Conference For Victory in War and Victory in Peace, held in Sydney in November 1943. It ranged over a series of issues – women’s right to paid work, the necessity for adequate child care, the particular needs of rural and Aboriginal women amongst them – and reflected the conference participants’ agenda for women in the post war world, an agenda that was influenced heavily by women’s wartime experiences. A series of publications, programs and follow-up Charter conferences were organized to plan and campaign for the implementation of its aims.

Elsie Women’s Refuge was the first refuge set up in Australia for women and children escaping a violent home who had nowhere to sleep. The refuge offered advice and assistance in relation to the legal, welfare and health systems.

The National Women’s Advisory Council was established as a new channel of communication between the Women’s Affairs Branch of the federal government and the wider community of women. Chaired by Beryl Beaurepaire it had Aboriginal, migrant, rural and trade union women among the members.