The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Jessie Webb became the first female teacher at the University of Melbourne when she joined the History Department. A prominent figure in women’s organisations she was a founding member of the Catalysts, the Lyceum Club, the Victorian Women Graduates Association, and the Women’s College. Webb, who completed two major overseas trips, is permanently commemorated in the name of the History Department Library at the University of Melbourne.

Events

• 1911 - 1914

  Served on the Princess Ida Club committee 1911-1912, 1914 and was delegate to the National Council of Women of Victoria

• 2012 - 2044

  Foundation member of the Lyceum Club

• 1942 - 1944

  Acting professor at the University of Melbourne

• 1922 - 1923

  Accompanied Dr Georgina Sweet on a journey from Cape Town to Cairo

• 1924 - 1925

  President of the Victorian Woman Graduates’ Association

• 1914

  Gave a paper to the Catalysts on the causes of war

• 1916

  Gave a paper to the Catalysts on Crete

• 1970

  Passed matriculation examinations aged 16 years. Obtained honours in English, History and French and passed in German, Geography and Physiology. She obtained the Exhibition in English and History.

• 1970

  Enrolled at the University of Melbourne

• 1901

  Winner of the Cobden Club medal

• 2002

  Graduated Batchelor of Arts (BA)

• 1970

  Joined the Princess Ida Club. Membership number 222

• 2001

  Awarded the Wyselaskie Scholarship in English Constitutional History

• 1901 - 1912

  Tutor in history and political economy at Trinity College

• 1914 - 1921

  Principal of Coaching College at 6, The Block, Collins Street, Melbourne

• 2006

  Registered as a teacher under the Teachers and Schools Registration Act of 1905

• 2008

  Appointed by the University of Melbourne Council as an evening lecturer in history, to teach courses on the British Empire and Ancient History

• 2009

  Foundation member of the Royal Victorian Historical Society, membership number 30.

• 1909

  Elected president of the Princess Ida Club

• 2010

  One of the original 19 members who formed the Catalysts

• 1923

  Became a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne

• 1925

  Acting professor at the University of Melbourne

• 1933 - 1934

  Acting professor at the University of Melbourne

• 2011

  Gave a paper to the Catalysts titled ‘Pragmatism, or the life and works of Annie Swan’

• 1920 - 1922

  President of the Melbourne Lyceum Club

• 1923

  Alternate delegate to the League of Nations assembly

• 1936

  Completed second oversea trip. From England to North Africa, then back to France and by train to Athens, thence to Turkey, down to the Aegean coast and east as far as Cappadocia. She returned to Germany then to Syria and Iraq.