The Australian Women's Register

Nashar was Head, Department of Geology, Newcastle University College and University of Newcastle 1961-1980, Associate Professor 1964-1965, Professor of Geology 1965-1980 and Emeritus Professor since 1980. She was the first Australian to be awarded a PhD in geology from an Australian University and the first woman dean of science in an Australian university. Her early research addressed the geology of the Stanhope district in the Hunter Valley. This was later extended to embrace the mineralogy, geochemistry and genetic relations of the Carboniferous and Permian andesitic associations of eastern New South Wales, and the conditions of formation of secondary minerals in these andesitic and basic rocks. She was appointed OBE – The Order of the British Empire – Officer (Civil) – 1 January 1972 for her work in education and international relations.

During Annie Sage’s distinguished military nursing career in World War II she introduced the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service Training Scheme and was closely involved in the planning and establishment of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps as an integral part of the Australian Regular Army and the Citizen Military Forces.

After the war she took an active and leading role in the establishment of the War Nurses Memorial Centre and the Centaur War Nurses Fund. Through her work with the (Royal) College of Nursing she made a very important contribution to postgraduate nursing education. She was also active in the negotiations that brought about the 1958 Nurses’ Act which gave wider power to the registering authority, the Victorian Nursing Council. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross for her war work with the Australian Army Nursing Service in the Middle East in 1942 (for ‘exceptional tact and administrative ability’) and she was awarded the CBE (Military Division) in 1951.

Georgina Sweet was Australia’s first female Acting Professor (Biology, University of Melbourne, 1916-1917). She was Associate Professor of Zoology at the University of Melbourne from 1920 to 1924. Sweet’s research included the zoology of Australian native animals and the parasites infesting Australian stock and native fauna. She was appointed OBE – Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 3 June 1935, for services to women’s movements.

Winifred Waddell worked with Native Plant Preservation Groups during the 1950s. She was responsible for securing the first Wildflower Sanctuary, at Tallarook, in 1949. She was appointed MBE – The Order of the British Empire – Member (Civil) – 1 January 1964, for preservation of natural flora.

Fanny Eleanor Williams (known as Eleanor) was one of the first three staff members of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in 1920. She co-authored or authored more than fifty publications in her career and specialised in research on dysentery, influenza, hydatids and snake venom. She played a key role in the development of the first Australian blood bank. Not only a researcher, she was also responsible for the training of staff (including Sir Macfarlane Burnet) and, later in life, general organisation of WEHI. According to Sir Macfarlane Burnet and Dr Ian Wood, ‘she was the channel through which serological techniques developed in Melbourne’. Miss Williams was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross on 1 January 1917 for her bacteriological work in the Australian Imperial Force. She was appointed MBE – The Order of the British Empire – Member (Civil) – 13 June 1957, for her work at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

Lucy Bryce worked at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 1922-1928, 1934-1946, and at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories 1939-1944. She was also a clinical pathologist and Director of the Blood Transfusion Service 1929-1954. She was appointed Commander of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 1 January 1951, for her work as director of the Victoria Blood Transfusion Service.

Lady Joyce Ethel Price’s outstanding contribution to the Girl Guides both in Australia and worldwide was first recognised at a commonwealth level in 1968 when she was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In 1977 she also received the Girl Guide Fish Award; and in 1978 her efforts were further recognised when she was appointed to the Order of St Michael and St George – Commanders (CMG).

From 1900-1934 Florence Chatfield was matron and then superintendent of the Diamantina Hospital for Chronic Diseases, Queensland. She was also supervisor and organiser of the Queensland Government Baby Clinics from their inception in 1918. In 1904 she presided over the founding meeting of the Queensland Branch of the Australasian Trained Nurses’ Association (now Royal Australian Nursing Federation), and worked for it in many ways for over 40 years. She was appointed OBE – Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 1 January 1932, for her work as superintendent of the Chronic Diseases Hospital.

Born in Perth in 1906, Dame Rachel Cleland lived an active life which was centred around politics and community organisations. At one time considered the matriarch of the liberal party, in her later years Dame Rachel was very vocal on her opposition to the logging of old-growth forests. She insisted that the Liberal party under Menzies would never have taken the same stance as the current party on such issues. Dame Rachel’s community work with women and children was recognised in 1959 when she was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and again in 1966 when she was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1980 Dame Rachel became the only western woman to be appointed as a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) by the government of Papua New Guinea for the volunteer work she did for many Papua New Guinea organizations and for helping involve women in public affairs.

Muriel Knox Doherty began nursing in 1921 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, and set up the first preliminary training school at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 1933-1937. In her capacity as matron-in-charge she was the first nurse appointed to the rank of squadron leader in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), where she inaugurated the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service. After World War II she worked with displaced persons at Bergen Belsen concentration camp, as a member of United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. One of four founders of the New South Wales College of Nursing in 1949, she was also instrumental in the establishment of the Civilian Nursing Services Bureau, and co-authored the first Australian text book for nurses, Modern Practical Nursing Procedures, 1944. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal (1st Class) in 1945 for her work in the RAAF Nursing Service.

Natascha McNamara was co-founder of the Aboriginal Training and Cultural Institute in Balmain, New South Wales, and president of the Aboriginal Children’s Advancement Society Ltd. She has also worked to reform the Aboriginal artefacts industry, and held an Adjunct Senior Research Fellowship with the Centre of Indigenous Development Education and Research (CIDEAR) at the University of Wollongong. McNamara was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) on 3 June 1978, for her work in Aboriginal education, and as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) on 8 June 1992.

McNamara is Managing Director of Accord Cross Cultural Development. She is also a member of the Australian Press Council and the Council of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

Margaret Guy qualified as a nurse in 1937, and served with the Army Nursing Service during World War II. The recipient of a number of grants (Rotary, Fulbright, and the first Churchill Fellowship awarded to a woman) she undertook studies in the UK and USA in nurse education and administration. She was one of four founders of the New South Wales College of Nursing in 1949. At the time of her appointment to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, in 1948, she was the youngest matron in Australia. Margaret Guy is remembered as a skilful administrator and passionate educator. She was appointed OBE – Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 10 June 1961, for her work as matron of the Canberra Community Hospital.

Essie Coffey was a Muruwari woman born in southern Queensland. She was co-founder of the Western Aboriginal Legal Service and served on a number of government bodies and Aboriginal community organisations.

Lucy Kerley was a research scientist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne 1953-1969. She was appointed MBE – Member of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 1 January 1974 for her work with the National Gallery Art School.

Priscilla Kincaid-Smith was Director of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital 1967-1991, Professor of Medicine, University of Melbourne 1975-1991 and Physician in Nephrology, Royal Women’s Hospital 1976-1991. Around the early 1960s she demonstrated overwhelming evidence of the link between headache powders and kidney damage and campaigned strongly against their use. She also made substantial contributions to research on the link between the kidneys and high blood pressure. She was appointed Commander of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 14 June 1975, for services to medicine (as Mrs Fairley).

Agnes Lions qualified as a nurse in 1931 and worked in all branches of nursing in New South Wales until 1941 when she moved into the area of industrial nursing. She was one of four founders of the New South Wales College of Nursing (NSWCN) in 1949. From 1949 to 1952 she was responsible for the syllabus and supervision of the Industrial Nursing Certificate at the NSWCN, gaining the certificate herself in 1950. In 1946 Lions founded the Industrial Nursing Branch of the New South Wales Nursing Association and held the post of honorary secretary from its inception in 1947 to 1951. She was appointed MBE – Member of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – New Year’s Honours List, 1960, for services to nursing.

Lady Masson was the wife of Sir David Orme Masson, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne from 1886 to 1923. She was active in university affairs and her memory is honoured at the university by the Lady Masson Memorial Lecture, which is given every 2-3 years. She was a foundation member of the Victoria League 1908, the New Settlers’ League 1921 and the Country Women’s Association of Victoria 1928 and also president of the University branch of the Australian Red Cross Society 1914-1919. Lady Masson regularly attended meetings of the University Chemical Society. She was appointed Commander of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 15 March 1918, for war work.

Harriet Adelaide Stirling established the School for Mothers with Helen Mayo in 1909. The organisation still exists today, as Child and Youth Health. Stirling and Mayo also set up an independent hospital in 1913 to address the special needs of infant patients. In 1917 it was taken over by the Government and became the Mareeba Babies’ Hospital.

Harriet Stirling was the daughter of Sir Edward Charles Stirling and the granddaughter of Edward Stirling. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) on 23 June 1936 for her child welfare activities.

Mary Archer was CSIRO’s first woman scientist, and chief librarian from 1923-1954. She was appointed MBE – The Order of the British Empire – Member (Civil) – 2 January 1956 for her work as the CSIRO’s chief librarian.

Anna Bage was a talented scientist who worked her way through the junior ranks of the Department of Biology at the University of Melbourne to became a forerunner of women in public life in Queensland to where she moved in 1914 to take up the position of lecturer in charge of biology in 1913. In 1914 she became principal of the Women’s College, a position she held for the next 32 years. She was committed to the cause of encouraging women to become tertiary educated and travelled widely throughout Queensland to promote her college to rural communities. She was a member of many women’s interest groups, and played a lead rolein the formation of the Queensland Women Graduates’ Association (later the Queensland Association of University Women). She was president of the Australian Federation of University Women in 1928-29.

Anna Bage’s interests were many and varied. A nature lover, patron of the arts and motoring enthusiast, Bage was also a member of several women’s sporting associations. She managed the first hockey team in Australia to travel interstate, from Melbourne to Adelaide in 1908, and was president of the Queensland Women’s Hockey Association in 1925-31.

She was appointed OBE – Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 12 June 1941 for public service.

Edith Barrett ran a small general practice in Melbourne but devoted her energies to voluntary work concerning the health and welfare of women and children. She founded the Bush Nursing Association in 1910 with her brother James and was associated with the Red Cross from 1914-1937. She was appointed OBE – Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 15 March 1918 for her work with the Red Cross Society. She was also appointed CBE – Commander of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 24 May 1918 for her work with the Red Cross Society.

Faith Bandler has campaigned for Aboriginal and Islander rights throughout her life, firstly through the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship and later through the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI). She has written novels and children’s literature as well as many non-fiction works relating to Aboriginal rights. Her biography, Faith: Faith Bandler, gentle activist, written by Marilyn Lake, was published in 2002.

Jane Bell was lady superintendent of Melbourne Hospital 1910-1934. She was responsible for many innovations, including replacement of male orderlies by sisters in the operating theatres; the appointment of tutor-sisters to instruct trainees and of a house-sister to supervise the nurses’ quarters; the introduction of a six-week preliminary course; and pay for trainee-nurses. She was appointed OBE – Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 1 January 1944 for her work as president of the Royal Victoria College of Nursing.

Oodgeroo Noonuccal was born Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska, on Minjerribah (the Stradbroke Islands). Oodgeroo Noonuccal means Oodgeroo of the tribe Nunuccal; spelling variations include Nunuccal, Noonuckle and Nunukul. In 1970, Oodgeroo Noonuccal (under the name Kathleen Walker) was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) for services to the community. She returned it in 1987 in protest against the forthcoming Australian Bicentenary celebrations (1988).

Agnes Bennett practised in Wellington, New Zealand from 1905 and was Chief Medical Officer at St Helens Maternity Hospital 1908-36.

The Imperial System of Honours and Awards is a scheme of honours bestowed on citizens or foreigners by the British monarch. This system has a long history, rooted in Roman traditions of awards for military service. Over the twentieth century the honours system has gradually evolved to recognise civilian service and other achievements.

Until 1975, the British Imperial system was the only system for recognition of the service of Australian citizens to Australia. Today, the Imperial system has been largely replaced by the Australian system, established in 1975. Imperial Honours continued to be awarded to Australians on the recommendation of some States until 1989. The Queen still bestows some honours personally.

Mary Booth graduated in Arts from the University of Sydney before studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh (graduating in 1899). On her return to Australia she lectured in hygiene at girls secondary schools in Sydney, and for the Department of Public Instruction and the Sydney Teachers College 1904-1909. In 1910-1912 she helped establish the first school medical service in Victoria and was later involved in household health and welfare. She was the founder and office bearer of many patriotic associations, such as the Anzac Fellowship of Women (president 1921-1956). She was appointed OBE – Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) – 4 October 1918, for her work with the Friendly Union of Soldier’s Wives.

Booth also founded the Women’s Club in Sydney in 1901, the Centre for Soldiers Wives and Mothers in 1915 and the Memorial College of Household Arts and Science in 1936, and was involved with the University of Sydney Society for Combating Venereal Disease, the League of Nations Union, the New Settlers’ League and the Australian Institute of International Affairs. She had a keen interest in eugenics and was a member of the Anthropometric Committee of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science from 1908.