- Born
- 25 October 1871
Kaiapoi, South Island, New Zealand - Died
- 1 March 1962
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - Occupation
- Community advocate, Journalist, Print Journalist and Women's rights activist
- Alternative Names
- Henderson, Stella (maiden name)
- Vesta (pen name)
Summary
Born and educated in New Zealand, Stella Allan came to Australia in 1903 when her husband was invited to join the staff of the Melbourne Argus. An intelligent, well spoken woman with a keen interest in women's affairs, she was a very important figure in the establishment and management of a number of women's oganisations.
In 1907 the Argus commissioned her to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women's Work Exhibition held in October. They aroused much interest and next year the Argus invited her to join its full-time staff and begin a weekly section on the particular interests of women. She adopted the nom de plume 'Vesta' and called the column 'Women to Women'. Her work was unique in an Australian daily paper at that time. Her pages extended to cover every aspect of women's affairs, children's interests and community welfare, and 'Vesta' became a household word for authoritative information and advice on such matters. In 1910 she was one of three women foundation members of the Australian Journalists' Association.
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