Wilson, Clare Meta

Clare Wilson, a child welfare campaigner, was a remarkable early candidate who stood for the Progressive Party in the 1922 elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of the Western Suburbs. Known as the “Silent Candidate” because she gave no speeches, Mrs Wilson was inclined towards spectacular stunts, such as entering a cage with five lions and a bear at Wirth’s circus to raise money for poverty in 1921, and distributing Peace Loan pamphlets from an aeroplane. Her name is given as Clara in the Parliamentary scrapbook. She was well known throughout the Western suburbs of Sydney as a hard worker in the interests of mothers and children. Clare Meta Wilson was married to J.A Wilson.