OBE

Born

14 January 1861
Gisborne, Victoria, Australia

Died

18 May 1956
New Gisborne, Victoria, Australia

Occupation

Charity worker and Local government councillor

Alternative Names

• Hamilton, Blanche Muriel Eugenie (maiden name)

Summary

Blanche Ross-Watt was born into a conservative politically active family. She was a member and local president of the Women's National League before she was elected to the Gisborne Shire Council in 1925. In 1927 she was one of fourteen women appointed justices of the peace in Victoria. She was elected Shire President in 1931 and again in 1939. Her community work was acknowledged with her appointment as OBE in 1949. She retired from the council in 1950.

Sources used to compile this entry: Robertson, N. R. G., 'Ross-Watt, Blanche Muriel Eugénie (1861-1956)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160160b.htm.