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

• 1901

  Winner of the Cobden Club medal

• 1901 - 1912

  Tutor in history and political economy at Trinity College

• 1909

  Elected president of the Princess Ida Club

• 1911 - 1914

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

• 1914

  Gave a paper to the Catalysts on the causes of war

• 1914 - 1921

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

• 1916

  Gave a paper to the Catalysts on Crete

• 1920 - 1922

  President of the Melbourne Lyceum Club

• 1922 - 1923

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

• 1923

  Became a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne

• 1923

  Alternate delegate to the League of Nations assembly

• 1924 - 1925

  President of the Victorian Woman Graduates’ Association

• 1925

  Acting professor at the University of Melbourne

• 1933 - 1934

  Acting professor at the University of Melbourne

• 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.

• 1942 - 1944

  Acting professor at the University of Melbourne