The Australian Women's Register

Tommy Lyon went to schools at Canarvon and Perth. She completed her nurse training in Perth and Broome. Following her midwifery course Lyon nursed at Norseman. Lyon moved to Adelaide and worked at the Adelaide Hospital. In 1944 she left to get married. Lyon returned to nursing in 1964 working at St Andrew’s and Wakefield St Hospitals. She retired in 1981 when she was 67.

Nell Allgrove, née Hannah, came to South Australia from the West with her family when she was an infant. She began nursing training at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1936 and worked in the hospital’s Blood Transfusion Unit until she was called up to the Australian Army Nursing Service in 1940. In 1941 she joined the 2/4 Casualty Clearing Station and was sent to Malaya. She was among those who escaped from Singapore just before its capture by the Japanese in February 1942. When the ship ‘Vyner Brooke’ was sunk in Banka Strait, Nell and fellow nurses were interned by the Japanese. She was among 24 nurses (from a total of 65) who survived until their release in September 1945.

Unionist and activist Madge Cope was born in Yorkshire and migrated to Australia in 1915, aged 11. With her parents and two brothers she settled on a farm in Carnamah. She later married her neighbour, Harold Cope, and the pair had four children. Cope himself was born to an English father and an Australian mother.

During wartime, the Copes sold pies at Victoria Park. They grew tomatoes at Geraldton, then Guildford, where they also sold flowers. In 1966, while driving on a gravel road, Madge lost control on a bend and hit a truck. Harold was thrown from the vehicle and died on the road after telling the truck driver to look after his wife, who was trapped in the car.

Madge became involved with the Communist Party in Guildford, and was made a life member of the Guildford Association. She joined the Peace Movement and the Union of Australian Women. She also wrote short stories, two of which were published in the magazine Our Women. Madge died in 2001, aged 97 years.

Roma Gilchrist was first a member of the Modern Women’s Club before joining the Union of Australian Women, Western Australian Branch. She was vice-president in 1954 and president from 1957 until 1971.

Katharine Susannah Prichard, author, pacifist, Communist, indefatigable political activist, chose to live on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia, for fifty years, from 1919 until her death in 1969. Her life is one of courage, determination, hard work, great joy and satisfaction, and tragedy. During her lifetime she developed an international reputation as a novelist, she was recognised as one of Australia’s foremost writers, and she established an almost legendary reputation locally as a political activist whose initiatives made a profound impact upon the lives of many West Australians. In the midst of such physical isolation and unsophisticated conservatism, how was her brilliant light able to shine so readily?

Annette Cameron was born in Middle Swan WA in 1920. Her interest in politics was sparked by the Spanish Civil War, prompting her to join the Modern Women’s Club, the Anti-Fascist League, and, in 1941, the Communist Party. She was an active campaigner for peace, human rights, and Aboriginal causes.

The Country Women’s Association of the Western is a non-sectarian, non-party-political, non-profit lobby group and service association working in the interests of women and children in rural areas. Although ostensibly non-party-political, in practice the group has tended to bolster conservative politics and has supported traditional family roles for women. Historically, it was, however, also a progressive force in many ways, particularly in its encouragement of country women to take an active part in public affairs, and also in its lobby for and provision of services to rural areas.

Given its size and scope, it was arguably the most influential women’s organisation in Western Australia in the twentieth century.

Formed in 1935 in response to the long felt need for an organization that advanced women’s interests and stimulated their creativity, the Western Australian Women’s Society of Fine Arts and Crafts exemplified practical women-centred responses to the exclusion of women in the arts establishment. Three key periods of expansion were: the late 1940s, when work as a teaching society began in earnest; the mid 1960s, when memberships numbered 136; and the late 1970s and early 1980s, when craft had a renaissance and the organisation’s numbers swelled. The Subiaco property, purchased in 1973, still serves as headquarters and continues to host classes in a range of crafts.

Established in 1993 the Centre for Research for Women is a joint initiative between Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia. Based on a model of inter-university collaboration, the centre promotes feminist research across disciplines, universities, the community and the public sector. The Centre for Research for Women maintains an extensive database of expertise aimed at expanding research opportunities and the dissemination of research programmes. Every three years the location of the centre rotates to another of the participating universities.

Joan Williams was a prominent member of the Western Australian branch of the Communist Party of Australia. She was politically active from the 1920s, but began her career in journalism as a young woman already imbued with a strong political consciousness. The networks fostered through her membership in an elite group of Western Australian left-wing radicals were critical to the foundation of numerous Western Australian women’s and peace organisations. Under the pen name Justina Williams she wrote short stories, historical works, poems, biography and her autobiography Anger and Love. She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal accepting it on behalf of her “unrecognized sisters who serve the community”.

The formation of the Western Australian Council for Equal Pay and Opportunity in 1958 marked the beginning of a sixteen year long campaign seeking justice for women workers. The effectiveness of the campaign can be attributed to the wide ranging representation of affiliated groups, which included women’s organizations, trade unions and representatives from across the political spectrum. The organization dissolved in 1973 when discriminatory clauses were removed from State legislation and the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission decided in favour of equal pay.

Artemis was established in 1985 as a forum for women artists, art teachers, critics and writers. It sought to foster discussion and interest in the practice and ideas of women’s art, promote community awareness of women’s contribution to the arts, support women working in the arts and set up independent feminist criticism in order to address the perceived inequalities in Western Australia’s arts establishment. Artemis aimed to activate critical appraisal of patriarchal culture and its effects on art history, practice and theory to redefine women’s art practice in her own image. Artemis disbanded in 1990 due to the discontinuation of funding.

Mary Montgomerie Bennett spent her childhood in Queensland, returning to London from 1903 to 1908 to study, and again in 1914 to marry. When her husband died in 1927 she returned to Western Australia to pursue her interest in Aboriginal education. She worked at the Mount Margaret Mission from 1932, dramatically improving educational outcomes through the implementation of progressive teaching methods. Over the next three decades Bennett was a passionate advocate for Aboriginal rights employing her connections with international humanitarian groups and women’s organisations to support her campaigns to improve the lives of Aborigines, in particular Aboriginal women.

After attempts to establish a lending library at the Women’s Centre Action Group and Camp Books failed, Lespar Library of Women’s Liberation moved to purpose built facilities on Karin Hoffmann’s Darlington property. It operated on an open by appointment basis for twelve years. A key objective was to provide resources and facilities for women centred research. The library also acted as a repository, eventually housing the archives of various women’s organizations and individuals on a permanent basis.

Founded 25 March 1909 the Women’s Service Guilds of Western Australia formed a core feminist connection for the exchange of feminist strategies and ideas with international feminism for much of the twentieth century. While typified as conservative, the Guilds anticipated many radical trends and were at the forefront of activism which challenged the political and social boundaries that excluded from participating fully in society. They worked to raise the status of women and improve the welfare of children, primarily through legislative reform and initiated a wide range of campaigns on local, national and international levels.

A tireless campaigner and activist for over fifty years, Irene Adelaide Greenwood’s interests in feminism and the peace movement were formed through her mother Mary Driver’s involvement with the Women’s Services Guild. The achievements of Greenwood’s life’s work are considerable and her commitment and energy was recognized in the many awards bestowed on her. These include Member of the Order of Australia, the first woman to receive an Honorary Doctorate at Murdoch University, recognition as the strategist behind the implementation of the Chair in Peace Studies at Murdoch University, the United Nations Association of Australia Silver Peace Medal and honorary life membership, Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, appointment to the National Advisory Committee on Women’s Affairs in 1974 and the naming of the flagship of the State ship’s fleet M.V. Irene Greenwood in her honour. Greenwood was also a life or honorary member of many key international, national and state peace and women’s organizations.

The Catholic Women’s League of Western Australia was established on 23 August 1937 with the aim of centralising the activities of various Catholic women’s societies and to ‘give public expression to Catholic thought on vital questions arising from time to time’. It is affiliated with the Catholic Women’s League Australia Inc.

Former primary school teacher Barbara MacLeod joined the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service in 1954. During her service she served in every Australian state except Western Australia. In 1976 MacLeod became the first woman officer of any service to attend the Australian Administrative Staff College (AASC). Three years later she was the first woman naval officer of Captain’s rank to be posted to a male Captain’s position. In 1982 MacLeod became an Honorary Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Queen Elizabeth. She was the first Australian woman to be appointed as an ADC, a post which had to be relinquished on her retirement. On 9 June 1975 Naval Officer Barbara MacLeod became a Member of the Order of Australia. She was also awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal (1977) and the National Medal (1977) and Bar (1979).

Ivy Kent, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Woods, was educated at Iona Convent (New South Wales) and Mosman’s Park in Western Australia. Kent, who was a leader in the Labour Women’s Movement of Western Australia, a worker in youth welfare and an officer of the Housewives Association, established a club for neglected girls during World War I. She served on the Married Women’s Relief Court for 20 years and was a member of the Lotteries Commission, the Adult Education Board, the National Fitness Executive and Soldiers’ Dependants’ Appeal. In 1944 Kent became the first woman commissioner of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (representing Western Australia). In 1953 Kent was elected Foundation President of the Association of Civilian Widows in Western Australia, a movement which became national five years later. In 1959 she was elected National President, and later, National Life Governor. On 1 January 1968 Ivy Kent was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her service to the welfare of women and children.

Born in Bridgetown, Western Australia, Alice Wheatley was educated at Perth College. She undertook her nursing training at the Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia and the Queen Victoria Hospital, Victoria. In 1941 Wheatley enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFNS). On 10 March 1944 she was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal Second Class for her work in charge of the first nursing party of the RAAFNS in New Guinea. In 1946 Wheatley represented the RAAFNS in the Victory Contingent to England. From 1946 until 1951 she held the position of Matron-in-Chief. On 1 January 1951 Wheatley was appointed an Officer of the British Empire in recognition of her service with the RAAFNS.

After serving with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAAF) during the Second World War, Elizabeth Backhouse worked as a scriptwriter with Korda Films in England. Backhouse returned to Australia in 1951. She was a writer of novels, children’s stories, plays, filmscripts, a ballet and a musical.

After being exposed to ‘sweated labour’ conditions while working in the Melbourne clothing industry during the 1880s, Jean Beadle was inspired to dedicate her life to the betterment of conditions for women and children. Known as the ‘The Grand Old Lady of the Labor Party,’ she was a founding member of the Women’s Political and Social Crusade and the Labor Women’s Organization in Victoria (1898), Fremantle (1905) and Goldfields (1906). She was also a delegate to the Eastern Goldfields District Council of the State Australian Labor Party. Beadle was one of the first women appointed as a Justice of the Peace in Western Australia, sitting for many years on the Married Women’s Court. She was later appointed to serve as an honorary Justice on the bench of the Children’s Courts. An official visitor to the women’s section of the Fremantle Prison, Beadle also was instrumental in the building of the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women. She was secretary, of the King Edward Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, from 1921 until her death. In recognition of her dedicated service the hospital annually awards a Jean Beadle scholarship.

Roberta Jull was the first woman to establish a medical practice in Perth in 1897. She became active in social welfare, public health and politics. In 1918 Jull became the first Medical Officer of Schools in the Western Australian Public Health Department and took a leading part in the infant health movement.

The daughter of Dr Roberta and Martin Jull, Henrietta Drake-Brockman married the then Commissioner for the far north west of Australia, Geoffrey Drake-Brockman on 3 August 1921. While in the north west she wrote articles for the West Australia under the pseudonym ‘Henry Drake’. The author of Men Without Wives, which won the Australian Sesquicentenary prize, Drake-Brockman also wrote for the theatre, and was co-editor, with Walter Murdoch, of Australian Short Stories. On 1 January 1967 Henrietta Drake-Brockman was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Australian literature.

A foundation staff member of the Canberra College of Advanced Education (now University of Canberra), Elsie Solly was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia. On 26 January 1983 she received the award for service to education, particularly in the field of secretarial studies. In 1977 she was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal. President of the Australian Women’s Army Service Association (Western Australia) Inc., Solly was on the original committee of the Association when established in 1947. Solly was also president of the Association of Academic Staff during her term with the Canberra College of Advanced Education. In 2003 Elsie Solly was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal for services to the veterans’ community.

Alice Corry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January 1987 for services to ex-servicemen and women. She joined the Australian Women’s Army Service on 27 August 1942, aged 16. Following completion of the recruiting course she transferred to Victoria and served at Land Headquarters as a signalwoman. At the time of her discharge on 12 March 1946 she had obtained the rank of Corporal. In 1947 she married Mervyn J Corry in Perth. At the Annual General Meeting in 1969, Corry was elected President of the Australian Women’s Army Service Association (WA), a post she held for 29 years. Honoured with being chosen to unveil the Western Australian memorial to Sybil Irving she was also the first Life Member of the Association in 1974. Corry was also involved with her church, her husband’s Corvettes’ Association, the Red Cross and the Braille Society.

On 17 March 1946, Wing Officer Audrey Herring was appointed to the position of Staff Officer in the Directorate of Personal Services Women’s Auxiliary Australian Airforce (WAAAF). Previously the Deputy Director WAAAF since 17 November 1943, in this new appointment Herring became responsible for all WAAAF matters.

Prior to joining the WAAAF, Herring worked as a journalist at the Courier Mail in Brisbane and also wrote for Women’s Weekly before she worked on Fleet Street, London, in 1937. Following the outbreak of the World War II she returned to Brisbane and became a Red Cross volunteer, at times cooking breakfasts for servicemen on leave.

After joining the WAAAF, Herring completed the No 1 administrative course at Methodist Ladies College, Kew. During her time in the Service she was promoted through the ranks and before being discharged was effectively in charge of the organisation.

In 1947 Herring was recruited by Sir Keith Murdoch to become the women’s editor for the Herald and Weekly Times. She left the company in March 1948 to marry Dr John Craig and the couple moved to Western Australia.

In Perth Audrey Craig became involved with community services. She was a member of the Western Australian branch of the Save the Children Fund and sponsored children from destitute backgrounds for 35 years. Also she was a board member of the Western Australian Hospital Benefits Fund for 15 years as well as being a friend of the Royal Perth Hospital for 25 years and a financial supporter of the Bible Society of Australia.

Audrey Craig died on 11 May 1994 in Western Australia.