• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0690

Furner, Elizabeth

(1916 – 2004)
  • Born 1 January, 1916, London England
  • Died 5 October, 2004, Adelaide South Australia Australia
  • Occupation Women's rights activist, Writer

Summary

Elizabeth Furner (formerly Laurenson and Guy) was born in London, England. Her parents separated when she was a child. Elizabeth married a soldier in 1941 and they emigrated to Australia in 1952 with their four year old son. They came to Adelaide, via Tasmania and Sydney, in 1961. It was at this time that Elizabeth began taking an interest in both writing and local government, stimulated by her disgust with discriminatory franchise laws. She joined the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, rising quickly to President of the South Australian Branch, and did much public speaking as well as standing for council in North Brighton. In the early 1970s Elizabeth founded the Brighton Writers’ Workshop from which the South Australian Branch of the Society of Women Writers was formed.

Published resources

Archival resources

  • State Library of South Australia
    • Interview with Elizabeth Furner [sound recording] Interviewer: June Donovan

Related entries


  • Presided
    • Australian Local Government Women's Association - South Australian Branch (1964 - )
  • Foundation Member
    • Society of Women Writers South Australia Inc. (1976 - )
  • Founder
    • Society of Women Writers South Australia Inc. (1976 - )