Johnston, Jessie Mary (1889 - 1984)

Jessie Mary Johnston, the daughter of Brigadier-General Walter John and Mary Euphemia (née Johnston) Clark, was born at St Kilda in 1889. Educated privately in Tasmania during World War I she became a member of the Red Cross Society (Tasmania). On 3 December 1923 Jessie Clark married her maternal cousin Dr William Johnston (later Sir) and they had two sons. From 1939–1952 Jessie Johnston was a member of the Red Cross Centenary Council, and from 1940-1942 a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Imperial Forces Women's Association. When Johnston was appointed Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Commissioner for War Services, she resigned from the presidency of the Alexandra Club but remained a member of the Committee. In 1951 Johnston became President of the YWCA of Australia, a post she held until 1957. On 1 January 1958 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for service to the community. Lady Jessie Johnston died in 1984, aged 94.

• Clark, Jessie (maiden name, 29 August 1889 - 3 December 1923)

Events

1914 - 1918	Member of the Red Cross Society (Tasmania)
3 December 1923	Married Dr William Johnston (later Sir)
1939 - 1940	President of the Alexandra Club (Melbourne)
1939 - 1952	Member of the Red Cross Centenary Council
1940 - 1942	Member of the Executive Committee for the AIF Women's Association
1941 - 1945	YWCA Commissioner for War Services
1951 - 1957	President of YWCA Australia
1 January 1958	Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Board Member

• AIF Women's Association (1940 - 1946)

  [1940 - 1942]

Membership

• The Alexandra Club (1903 - )

  President

  [1939 - 1940]

See also

• Alexander, Joseph A (ed.), Who's who in Australia 1962, 17 edn, Colorgravure Publications, Melbourne, 1962, 960 pp. [ Details... ]
• Starke, Monica, The Alexandra Club : A Narrative 1903-1983, Alexandra Club, Melbourne, 1986, 140 pp. [ Details... ]