Australian Women's Register

An initiative of The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) in conjunction with The University of Melbourne

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Exhibitions

  • Faith, Hope and Charity Australian Women and Imperial Honours: 1901-1989

Benjamin, Phyllis Jean (1907 - 1996)

The Honourable, AO, MBE

Born
30 August 1907
Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
Died
1996
Occupation
Parliamentarian

Summary

Phyllis Benjamin was appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire on 31 May 1956 for services as a member of the Legislative Council in Tasmania. On 26 January 1977 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). From 1968 to 1969 Benjamin was leader of the Upper House in Tasmania - the first woman in Australia to be appointed to the position.

Details

Events

10 March 1926
Married A H Benjamin
1939 - 1945
Red Cross work
1950 - 1954
Member of the Tasmania Labor Party Executive
1952 - 1953
Federal President of the Federal Association Australian Housewives
1952 - 1962
Tasmanian President of the Federal Association Australian Housewives
1952 - 1975
Member (ALP) of the Tasmanian Legislative Council for the electorate of Hobart
1956 - 1968
Deputy leader of the Upper House
31 May 1956
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) (MBE)
1967 - 1968
Federal President of the Federal Association Australian Housewives
1968 - 1969
Leader of the Upper House (first woman)
1972 - 1976
Deputy Leader of the Upper House
26 January 1977
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

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Site-wide information and acknowledgements

National Foundation for Australian Women The University of Melbourne, eScholarship Research Centre

http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/IMP0181b.htm