The daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Barkley, Ruth was educated at Morongo Girls College and Geelong High School. She completed her tertiary education at the University of Melbourne and the University Women's College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma of Education.

In 1963, Ruth Barkley married Peter James Bunyan (deceased 1996). The pair had three children.

Bunyan worked as a haematologist at Mater Hospital in Newcastle before becoming a Lecturer in mathematics at the Victoria College of Pharmacy. Later she taught maths at Mitcham High School and Geelong High School, before becoming Chief of Staff at Presbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne.

Bunyan was appointed to the position of Deputy Principal at St Margaret's Girls School, Berwick, and from 1990 until her retirement in 2001, was Principal of Strathcona Baptist Girls' Grammar School, Melbourne.

Ruth Bunyan enjoys travel, reading, music, theatre, bushwalking and tennis. She is a member of the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria and the Lyceum Club (Melbourne).

Source used to compile this entry: Who's Who in Australia, 2002 p. 332 and information supplied by The Invergowrie Foundation.

Events

1990 - 2001

Principal, Strathcona Baptist Girls' Grammar School (Melbourne)

1990 - 2001

Member of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools Australia

1993

Member, Invergowrie Foundation Council

2001

Member, Acton Early Childhood Centre

2001

Director, Mentone Girls' Grammar School