- Entry type: Person
- Entry ID: AWE1002
Simon, Ella
(1902 – 1981)- Born 1 January, 1902, Taree New South Wales Australia
- Died 13 February, 1981, New South Wales Australia
- Occupation Community worker
Summary
Ella Simon went to school on Purfleet Aboriginal reserve, New South Wales, until the age of twelve. She then worked in Gloucester and Sydney, but returned to Purfleet in 1932 to nurse her sick grandmother, Kundaibark. She married Joe Simon in the mid-1930s, and they travelled around New South Wales, helping Aboriginal people. In 1957 Ella was granted her ‘certificate of exemption’ from the restrictions imposed by the Aborigines Welfare Board. In 1960 she formed a branch of the Country Women’s Association on Purfleet reserve and became its president. She opened the Gillawarra gift shop selling Aboriginal artefacts. She improved the living conditions on Purfleet, by supplying new stoves and introducing electricity. She continued caring for Aboriginal children and the sick. In 1962 she was named Lady of Distinction by Quota and appointed a justice of the peace. She dictated her life story for the book Through My Eyes during 1976-78.
Published resources
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Book
- Through my eyes, Simon, Ella, 1902-1981, 1978
- Aboriginal perspectives : resources for English, history, general studies, social sciences, women of the sun., [1987].
- Custodians of the soil : a history of aboriginal-European relationships in the Manning Valley of New South Wales, Ramsland, John, 1942-, 2001
- Stories of herself when young : autobiographies of childhood by Australian women, Hooton, Joy W. (Joy Wendy), 1935-, 1990
- The Complete Book of Great Australian Women: Thirty-six women who changed the course of Australia, De Vries, Susanna, 2003
- Journal Article
- Newspaper Article
- Edited Book
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Resource
- Trove: Simon, Ella (1902-1981), http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-612269