The Australian Women's Register

Constance Ellis became the first woman graduate of the University of Melbourne to obtain the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) in March 1903. She joined the pathology department of the Queen Victoria Hospital in 1902 and was honorary pathologist from 1908 until 1919. Ellis was the first woman to become a demonstrator and lecturer of Pathology at the University of Melbourne.

A foundation member of the Lyceum Club, Ellis was also a member of the Medical Women’s Society, the Australian Association for Fighting Venereal Diseases, the Victorian branch of the British Medical Association, the National Council of Women of Victoria, the Victorian Baby Health Centre Association and the Emily McPherson College.

Alice Speedie, the daughter of the Reverend John and Susan (née Long) Burns was treasurer of the Housewives’ Association of Victoria for 20 years. Educated at Clarendon College, Ballarat Victoria and Inglemere College, Adelaide, South Australia, she married Charles Speedie on 10 October 1905. They had three children. A member of the executive to the Children’s Cinema Council of Victoria, Speedie was President of the Australian Women’s National League, Elsternwick branch, between 1939-1943. She later became vice-president of the branch. A delegate to the National Council of Women of Victoria and the Youth Problem of Today committee, Speedie was the President of the Housewives’ Association of Victoria, Elsternwick branch. Aged 76, Alice Speedie died in 1955.

Camilla Wedgwood, the fifth of seven children of Josiah and Ethel (née Bowen) Wedgwood, came to Australia in 1928 to lecture in anthropology at the University of Sydney. She then lectured at the University of Capetown, South Africa and at the London School of Economics and Political Science before being granted a fellowship to study the lives of women and children on Manam Island, New Guinea by the Australian National Research Council. Later Wedgwood became principal of Women’s College at the University of Sydney and held this position until her appointment in the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service, at the express wish of General Sir Thomas Blamey. She developed policies for postwar educational reconstruction in Papua New Guinea. Following her discharge Wedgwood returned to lecturing. A member of the Australian Student Christian Movement she was also involved with the Rachel Forster Hospital for Women and Children, the Anthropological Society of New South Wales, the Australian Federation of University Women and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

On 31 March 1965 Merle Thornton and Rosalie Bogner chained themselves to the Regatta Hotel bar rail to protest for women’s rights. They wanted to liberate public bars from being men-only. The two protestors were both mothers of two and married to university lecturers. They were refused service, the publican faced a fine of £10-£20 if he served them with liquor, but were bought a beer by sympathetic male patrons. Their action became the starting point for women’s liberation in Brisbane in the late twentieth century. It is now recognised as one of the defining moments of second wave feminism in Australia.

A post-graduate student in Philosophy at the University of Queensland, Thornton went on to establish the Equal Opportunities for Women Association in April 1965. She also introduced the teaching of Women’s Studies in Australia in 1973 and was the special guest of the Queensland Government and speaker at the 70th celebration of International Women’s Day in 1999. Besides her academic writing Thornton has also written episodes for the television drama series Prisoner and has written and produced documentaries. Her stage play Playing Mothers and Fathers had a successful season at the Carlton Courthouse Theatre (Victoria) in 1990. Merle Thornton, the mother of actor Sigrid, returned to the Regatta Hotel, that now has a room named after her, for the launch of her first novel After Moonlight in 2004.

Born in Bridgetown, Western Australia, Alice Wheatley was educated at Perth College. She undertook her nursing training at the Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia and the Queen Victoria Hospital, Victoria. In 1941 Wheatley enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFNS). On 10 March 1944 she was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal Second Class for her work in charge of the first nursing party of the RAAFNS in New Guinea. In 1946 Wheatley represented the RAAFNS in the Victory Contingent to England. From 1946 until 1951 she held the position of Matron-in-Chief. On 1 January 1951 Wheatley was appointed an Officer of the British Empire in recognition of her service with the RAAFNS.

For recognition of her nursing service with the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFNS), Thelma Childs was awarded the Royal Red Cross medal on 14 June 1946. She undertook her nursing training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, and upon completion was appointed to the staff. In 1941 she enlisted in the RAAFNS for service not only in Australia but also the United States of America, England, Canada and New Guinea. At the time of her discharge, on 2 November 1945, she held the position of Matron. Four days after her discharge she married Captain F H Childs MC.

Alma Colman, the daughter of Alvington and Undine (née Cruthers) Silvester, was educated at the Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC), Melbourne, Victoria. She joined the Junior School teaching staff before working at Trinity Grammar School, Kew. On 17 January 1942 she enlisted in the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) and was the first chief instructor of the Army Women’s Services Officers’ School (AWSOS). Prior to her discharge on 23 July 1945 she was the Deputy Assistant Director of Army Education for Women’s Services with the rank of Major. On 9 January 1945 she married David Colman.

Following her discharge from the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) on 29 November 1945 Dorothy Hawthorn joined the Reserve of Officers.

Educated at Brisbane Girls’ High School and Sommerville House, Hawthorn had been Deputy State Commissioner for the Girl Guides’ Association of Queensland, Secretary of the Federal Council for Girl Guides and worked for the Women’s Voluntary National Register with the Red Cross and the Australian Comforts Fund. She was one of the first WAAAF Officers appointed in March 1941, firstly with the Air Board and then Adjunct and Barracks Officer at the WAAAF Training Depot, Malvern. She became Commanding Officer of the Training Section in Sydney, and later, Section Officer with a Training Group. In 1944 Hawthorn was promoted to Wing Officer whilst in command of No 1 Training Depot, Larundel, Preston Victoria. Subsequently she served as Section Officer WAAAF at the North Eastern Area Headquarters of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Ruth Hamilton-Williams, the daughter of James Davidson, enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS) on 1 May 1943. She served as Assistant Controller at the Australian Military Forces Headquarters in Melbourne before being discharged, with the rank of Major, on 21 November 1946.

Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her service to education, particularly in the field of history, on 26 January 1989, Kathleen Fitzpatrick was the first woman council member of the National Library of Australia, and a foundation member of the Australian Humanities Research Council (later the Australian Academy of Humanities).

Ivy Kent, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Woods, was educated at Iona Convent (New South Wales) and Mosman’s Park in Western Australia. Kent, who was a leader in the Labour Women’s Movement of Western Australia, a worker in youth welfare and an officer of the Housewives Association, established a club for neglected girls during World War I. She served on the Married Women’s Relief Court for 20 years and was a member of the Lotteries Commission, the Adult Education Board, the National Fitness Executive and Soldiers’ Dependants’ Appeal. In 1944 Kent became the first woman commissioner of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (representing Western Australia). In 1953 Kent was elected Foundation President of the Association of Civilian Widows in Western Australia, a movement which became national five years later. In 1959 she was elected National President, and later, National Life Governor. On 1 January 1968 Ivy Kent was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her service to the welfare of women and children.

Prior to joining the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) in August 1941, Margery Campbell was secretary for the Overseas League in Brisbane and a Voluntary Aid Detachment member. A former Squadron Officer, during her World War II service she was posted as a staff officer with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Maintenance Group Headquarters in Sydney. Later she was staff officer attached to the Forward Echelon of the RAAF and a personal representative of the Director of WAAAF, Group Officer Clare Stevenson. In March 1944 she married Patrick Campbell of the Australian Imperial Force and was posted with the 5th Maintenance Group Headquarters at her discharge on 8 November 1944.

After serving with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAAF) during the Second World War, Elizabeth Backhouse worked as a scriptwriter with Korda Films in England. Backhouse returned to Australia in 1951. She was a writer of novels, children’s stories, plays, filmscripts, a ballet and a musical.

The WRANS sub section of the Naval Association of Australia (South Australian Branch) was established in 1954. A group of ex-Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) joined together to support one another after their World War II service. 50 years later they still hold monthly meetings and various social functions. They go to the Dawn Service and march on Anzac Day as well as attend the Remembrance Day Service. During Navy week the Association supports their naval family by attending the church and Memorial Garden services. Also they are present at sister service functions plus the Bangka Day Memorial Service. In addition to attending Naval Cadet functions the WRANS also give financial support to the cadets.

Frances Desailly was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8 June 1939 for her services to charities. The daughter of an early pioneer of Victoria, Dr Daniel Curdie, she married Dr Julian Gilbert Desailly on 4 May 1904 and had one daughter. A member of a number of welfare societies, she was president of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society and vice-president of the Girls’ Employment Movement. Awarded life membership of the Camperdown Red Cross, Camperdown Mothers’ Club and the District Hospital Auxiliary, she was also a member of the Charles Dickens Society and the Alexandra Club.

Dorothy Munro (née Otter) worked as a secretary in the New South Wales Valuer Generals Department before enrolling in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) on 12 May 1943. During her service she was a secretary at the Fairmile Training School and had postings at both HMAS Penguin and HMAS Rushcutter. She achieved the rank of Petty Officer before being discharged on 31 January 1946.

During 1946 Dorothy married and did not return to the work force until all three of her children were at school. Before retiring in 1983, she held several secretarial positions including secretary to general managers and department head. Following her discharge from the WRANS, Munro joined the Naval Association of Australia and participated in social activities and memorial services. After her retirement she became a committee member of the WRANS. In 1990 Munro joined the office staff of the Naval Association first as an office assistant, then as assistant State secretary and finally State secretary before retiring in February 2002. In June of 2002 she became president of the Ex-Women’s Royal Naval Service (NSW)

Margaret Berry’s distinguished career in the Australian armed forces began in October 1941. She was one of the original officers of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) and was in charge of the first AWZS training school at Mt Lofty. Other posts included being Assistant Controller with the Tasmanian Line of Command Area, the Second Australian Army and the 4th Military District.

Upon leaving the AWAS in 1947 with the rank of major, Berry travelled to Britain and joined the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC). Commissioned with the rank of captain, she is thought to be the only Australian woman to have achieved this. Her experiences in the WRAC included:

• company command in Northern Ireland,
• commanding officer in Kent,
• promotion to lieutenant-colonel with a posting to Egypt where she commanded a WRAC battalion of 400 women,
• service as adviser to the Commander-in-Chief on matters relating to women,
• a tour of duty to Cyprus, including the 1956 transfer of the WRAC to Cyprus.

Margaret Berry returned to Australia in 1958 and devoted much of her time to caring for her mother and then her brother. She died in the same North Adelaide street she was born in, in September 2000.

Her family remembers her as ‘an incredibly worldly woman, always up to date yet timeless.’

Patricia Dow interrupted her teaching career when she enrolled in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) on 29 December 1942.

Following her education in Sydney, Berlin and Paris, Ruby Board devoted her time to social welfare issues. She became a Member of the Board of the Rachael Forster Hospital and for a period was President of the National Council of Women of New South Wales. During World War II, Board was president of the Women’s Voluntary National Register, a member of the executive of the Australian Comforts Fund and Defence Director of the Women’s Auxiliary National Service.

Official War Artist during World War II, Stella Bowen received early art training in Adelaide under Margaret Preston. In 1914 she sailed for Europe to study at the Slade School, London, where she was taught by Walter Sickert. Bowen travelled extensively on the Continent and her circle of artistic and literary figures include Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein and Ford Madox Ford. Bowen lived with the novelist Ford for nine years and they had a daughter, Julia. Her chief interests were portraits and she was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy. Also Bowen exhibited in America. In 1943 Bowen was offered a commission as an official war artist. Working mainly in Britain she illustrated the actions of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as well as the lives of the returned prisoners of war. Following the war she had hoped to return to Australia, for the first time since she left, but died in London of cancer on 30 October 1947.

The author of the Billabong series of books, Mary Grant Bruce began writing poetry and short stories at the age of seven. Later she became editor of her school magazine. After completing her matriculation Bruce moved to Melbourne where she worked as an editor and wrote weekly stories for the Leader children’s page. Her first book A Little Bush Maid, originally a serial, was published in 1910. Between 1910 and 1942 she published 37 children’s novels. During her career Bruce was a contributor to Blackwood’s Magazine, Morning Post, Daily Mail, Windsor Magazine, Cassell’s Magazine, Strand, Argus, Age, Herald (Melbourne), Australasian, Leader, Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Mail, Lone Hand Auckland Weekly Press, Woman’s World, West Australian and the British Australasian. During World War II Bruce worked for the AIF Women’s Association, sold her autograph at charity auctions for the war effort and broadcast a series of talks for the Department of Information.

The daughter of South Australian landscape painter Sir Hans Heysen, Nora Heysen was the first woman to win the Archibald portrait prize (1938) and the first women to be appointed as an Australian war artist on 12 October 1943. During her service Heysen completed over 170 works of art. Following the war she travelled to England and in January 1953 married Dr Robert Black, who was to become the Head of Tropical Medicine at the University of Sydney. On 26 January 1998 Nora Heysen was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to art as a painter of portraits and still life subjects.

Built by the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society as a meeting hall in 1887, the building now known as Storey Hall, located on the Swanston Street campus of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Melbourne, Victoria, has a long, colourful history that includes its importance as a site for women’s social and political protest. Notably, during World War I, the venue was leased to the Women’s Political Association, who scheduled public meetings and rallies. The organisation’s purple, white and green flag was hoisted on the roof of the building ‘as a symbol of the sisterhood of women.’ Various International Women’s Day Functions have been held at the venue subsequently.

In honour of the building’s importance to Victorian feminist activism, The Ashton Raggatt McDougall renovation in the 1990s made a feature of the feminist colours.

During World War II Elsie Byth was an executive and/or committee member of a number of organisations. President of the National Council of Women of Australia in 1944 and the National Council of Women of Queensland (1940-1945). She was vice-president of the Australian Comforts Fund in 1940 and the Women’s Voluntary National Register; member of the management committee for the Queensland Patriotic Fund; member of the War Saving committee and the War Accommodation committee. Married to solicitor George Leonard Byth (Len) in 1917, they had four children. Her hobbies included music, flowers and fine needlework.

Muriel Heagney worked tirelessly for the labour movement in various capacities during her long life. Her major commitment, however, was to achieve equal pay for women workers. Born into a labour family, she joined the Richmond branch of the Political Labour Council (later the Australian Labor Party – ALP) in 1906, and was a delegate to the Women’s Central Organising Committee in 1909. Other positions she held included: membership of the Victorian central executive of the Australian Labor Party from 1926-1927; secretary of the Women’s Central Organising Committee; and ex officio member of the party’s central executive in 1955. She was a founding member of the Council of Action for Equal Pay which was established in Sydney in 1937 under the auspices of the New South Wales branch of the Federated Clerks’ Union and was secretary for most of its existence. It disbanded in 1948. She returned to Victoria in 1950 and continued to maintain her union and political interests into the 1960s. Her publications include Are women taking men’s jobs?, (1935), Equal pay for the sexes, (1948), Arbitration at the crossroads, (1954). She died in poverty in St Kilda in May 1974.

Glen Tomasetti was born in Melbourne, Australia. An academically and musically gifted woman, she was well-known throughout the Australian folk music circuit, working on commercial television and cutting eleven albums in the 1960s. A left-leaning environmentalist and feminist, Glen was vehemently opposed to the Vietnam War and was a member of the Save Our Sons Movement in Victoria. In 1967 she made headlines when she was subpoenaed to court for withholding one-sixth of her income tax on the grounds that this was the exact proportion used by the Holt government to finance the war in Vietnam.

She became a hero of the feminist movement in 1969 when she adapted the words to an old shearing gang ballad, ‘All among the wool boys’. Glen’s version ‘Don’t be too Polite, Girls’ was written to support the 1969 case for equal pay that was being heard by the high court.

Glen Tomasetti had three children and believed that motherhood was the emotional core of her life. She has been described as “a woman of singular passion that found focus in motherhood, friendship, art, the environment and justice for the oppressed. Her creativity was multifaceted. She was a historian, poet, novelist and actor. She was formidably intelligent and her god had bestowed on her extraordinary physical beauty.”