Marfell was a foundation member of the Warrnambool branch of the Country Women's Association (1931), and twice president of the South-Western Group. She was also a member of the Victorian State Executive, and state president from 1942 until 1945. President of the Women's Section of the Victorian Country Party, Marfell stood unsuccessfully for the federal seat of Wannon during the election in 1949.

During World War II Marfell was senior superintendent of the Warrnambool district for the Red Cross Society. She donated a silver teapot for use when the Country Women's Association served refreshments at the railway tea rooms to recruits leaving Warrnambool.

On 1 January 1968 Helena Marfell was appointed an Officer to the Order of the British Empire (Civil) for services to social welfare. She was honoured by being made a Life Governor of the Warrnambool Base Hospital and the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind.

Events

4 August 1898

Born daughter of Archibald Glen

26 December 1918

Married Henry G Marfell, they had two children

1931

Helped found the Warrnambool Branch of the Country Women's Association

1938 - 1939

President of the South-Western Group of the Country Women's Association

1939 - 1945

Senior Supertindent of the Red Cross in the Warrnambool district

1942 - 1945

State President of the Country Women's Association

1942 - 1945

President of the South-Western Group of the Country Women's Association

1943

Member of the State Broadcasting Committee

1943

Member of the State Relief Committee

1945 - 1946

National President of the Country Women's Association

1946

Member of the Corangamite Regional Committee

1949

Country Party candidate for the electorate of Wannon at the Federal election

c. 1949 - 1950

President of the Women's Section at the Victorian Country Party

01 January 1968

Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Sources used to compile this entry: Alexander, Joseph A (ed.), Who's who in Australia 1950, 14th edn, The Herald, Melbourne, 1950, 816 pp; Alexander, Joseph A (ed.), Who's who in Australia 1962, 17 edn, Colorgravure Publications, Melbourne, 1962, 960 pp; Stevens-Chambers, Brenda, The Many Hats of Country Women: The Jubilee History of the Country Women's Association of Australia, Country Women's Association of Australia, 1997, 211 pp.