During World War II the Ford Factory in Geelong was converted to the wartime work including shipbuilding operations (1939 - 1945). Ford built 455 Australian landing barges & tug boats made from welded steel. As most of the male workforce was in uniform, women mainly built these ships.
More information:
Monday 19 March 2012
1940s: Growing up as a girl in Corio
Elizabeth Brown (nee Minns) wrote of her childhood during the war years around this area: During the war air raid shelters were built on the corner of North Shore Road & Melbourne Road opposite what was then the Corio Shire Hotel, which was later demolished when the road became a four lane highway. The Norlane Hotel is now situated where the air raid shelters once were. For the older residents the Corio Shire Hotel was a good meeting place after work & Saturdays. Hotels were closed on Sundays. Often the men having had a few too many drinks, & riding their bikes home across the paddock near Hamiltons, would fall off. After they had had a rest & continued their ride home we would go across to see if they had left anything behind & often found some threepences which had fallen out of their pockets. We thought we were millionaires!! (http://northshoreandnorlanestories.com/5ed84ac0-f100-4423-82bc-ddda9467a936.html)
Wednesday 14 March 2012
Geelong Artist: Helen Peters (1866 - 1923)
Helen A. Peters (1866-1923) Australia
Helen Peters was born in Geelong, Victoria in 1866 and she dies in 1923. She recieved her matriculation in 1883 from Flinders School.
She studied art in Geelong under Edmund Sasse, and later in Melbourne under Bernard Hall, Tudor St George Tucker and Emanuel Phillips Fox.
She was a painter and art teacher who worked from her private home in Elizabeth St, Geelong. Helen exhibited mostly with the Victorian Artists' Society and the Yarra Sculptors' Society from 1895. Helen Peters was an active member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. She has work in the Royal Academy in London.
She recieved coverage in the newspapers of the day for her work.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) Saturday 18 January 1902 p 14, reported: "The local art gallery lias received another addition, in the shape of a picture, entitled, "The Toilers," from the brush of Miss Helen Peters."
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Thursday 8 November 1906, p. 5 about her piece in the 9th Federal Art Exhibition:
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 24 August 1912, p. 13 about her contribution to the Royal Art Society (New South Wales) Spring Exhibition:
"According to the Geelong Advertiser's reviewer of her retrospective exhibition at the Gordon Technical College in 1903, she was 'probably better known in the art centres of Melbourne and Sydney than she is in Geelong'. She showed almost sixty paintings in her exhibition, with sentimental figure groups and portraits dominating. The Advertiser reported that Frederick McCubbin had sent a letter to mark the opening, which stated that 'Geelong should be proud of Miss Peters' work when it was considered that she was one of the foremost lady artists in Australia. He concluded by congratulating her upon her industry and position in the art world.'" (From: http://daaouat.library.unsw.edu.au:81/main/read/5062)
Helen Peters was born in Geelong, Victoria in 1866 and she dies in 1923. She recieved her matriculation in 1883 from Flinders School.
She studied art in Geelong under Edmund Sasse, and later in Melbourne under Bernard Hall, Tudor St George Tucker and Emanuel Phillips Fox.
She was a painter and art teacher who worked from her private home in Elizabeth St, Geelong. Helen exhibited mostly with the Victorian Artists' Society and the Yarra Sculptors' Society from 1895. Helen Peters was an active member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. She has work in the Royal Academy in London.
She recieved coverage in the newspapers of the day for her work.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) Saturday 18 January 1902 p 14, reported: "The local art gallery lias received another addition, in the shape of a picture, entitled, "The Toilers," from the brush of Miss Helen Peters."
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Thursday 8 November 1906, p. 5 about her piece in the 9th Federal Art Exhibition:
"The End of the Way," by Helen Peters; also a Victorian artist, shows a swagiuan descending the hill of life and nearing the waters winch, indicate the end of the journey. The conception is good, and the execution is not without merit. The follow- ing lines are attached to the frame: "Why don't I grow rich as I know I grow old? Because with. Billy in hand and my swag on mybick, I wander away on the Wallaby Track."
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 24 August 1912, p. 13 about her contribution to the Royal Art Society (New South Wales) Spring Exhibition:
"Helen A. Peters, an artist of genuine talent, In "Our Baby" (No. 51) appears to be still showing her art through the weird kind of twilight she brought with her from Paris years ago. Everything ss obscured and confused by this method; and we do not profess to understand its object."
An exhibition of Geelong women's art and craft
1907 (Sept).
A Women’s Work Exhibition was held to raise money for the Infectious Diseases Hospital Fund. It included over 200 paintings, fancy work, cookery, perseveres & sweets.
It was opened Lady Madern & the Vice-regal party travelled by train from Melbourne to Geelong.
(Source: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954) Thursday 26 September 1907 p.3).
A Women’s Work Exhibition was held to raise money for the Infectious Diseases Hospital Fund. It included over 200 paintings, fancy work, cookery, perseveres & sweets.
It was opened Lady Madern & the Vice-regal party travelled by train from Melbourne to Geelong.
(Source: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954) Thursday 26 September 1907 p.3).
On the 23 October 1907 The Australian Exhibition of Women's Work opened in Melbourne. Pattie Deakin ran a model creche during the five-week exhibition which showcased the work of women musicians, artists and craftswomen. You can link here to information about it and images of the Medal for the exhibition winner:
Helen Peters a Geelong artist and art teacher exhibited in the Melbourne exhibit. A separate entry on Helen Peters is included in HerStory. (Link to her for detailed information about Helen - http://daaouat.library.unsw.edu.au:81/main/read/5062)
Women join the Women's Volunteer Police Force
1942.
Geelong women sworn in at the Public Offices as members of the Women’s Volunteer Police Force.
(The Argus, Thursday 12 Feb, 1942, p. 4)
Women's right to vote forfeited because electoral offices in Geelong can't cope with the demand
Corio Shire Council discusses women's suffrage
Tuesday 13 March 2012
First female lawyer practices in Geelong: 1974
In 1974 Margaret Fargie is one of the first females to practice law in Geelong. She became a partner in the law firm Wightons & Macdonald as it was known then and became one of the first women in Victoria to chair a building society (The Barwon Permanent Building Society) despite disabilities associated with her contracting polio-myelitis at 7 years of age.
She matriculated in 1948 and had been Dux of the senior class at Morongo College Geelong. She graduated with a law degree from Melbourne University in 1952.
Source: http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/geelonglawyers/fargie/mf17a.html
Link here to a portrait of Margaret Fargie: http://www.deakin.edu.au/alfreddeakin/spc/manuscript-collections/geelonglawyers/fargie/mf14.php
She matriculated in 1948 and had been Dux of the senior class at Morongo College Geelong. She graduated with a law degree from Melbourne University in 1952.
Source: http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/geelonglawyers/fargie/mf17a.html
Link here to a portrait of Margaret Fargie: http://www.deakin.edu.au/alfreddeakin/spc/manuscript-collections/geelonglawyers/fargie/mf14.php
Geelong buildings of significance to women in Geelong: Geneva House
32 (3 Flats) Myers Street, the former Presbyterian Residence, now Geneva House
From 1915 to 1973 this building was a YWCA hostel , described as “ a home away from home for the spiritual welfare of girls.”
Link here to Google Map of its location:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=32+Myers+St+Geelong&hl=en&ll=-38.150572,144.354837&spn=0.016317,0.024633&client=firefox-a&channel=s&hnear=32+Myers+St,+Geelong+Victoria+3220&gl=au&t=m&z=16
From 1915 to 1973 this building was a YWCA hostel , described as “ a home away from home for the spiritual welfare of girls.”
Link here to Google Map of its location:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=32+Myers+St+Geelong&hl=en&ll=-38.150572,144.354837&spn=0.016317,0.024633&client=firefox-a&channel=s&hnear=32+Myers+St,+Geelong+Victoria+3220&gl=au&t=m&z=16
Helen Garner: Author
Helen Garner was born in 1942 in Geelong and she attended Manifold Heights Primary School and The Hermitage Private Girls School in Newtown.
Her first novel Monkey Grip was published in 1977. It won a National Book Council award in 1978 was filmed in 1982. Since then, Postcards from Surfers won a 1986 NSW Premier's Literary award, & her short novel The Children's Bach won a SA Premier's Literary Award in 1986. Her novel Cosmo Cosmolino was nominated for a Miles Franklin Award in 1993. In 1993 she won a Walkley Award for feature journalism for her story in Time magazine about the Daniel Valerio case. Her first non-fiction book, The First Stone (1995) was highly controversial. It explored a sexual harassment case at the University of Melbourne which led to the sacking of the Master of Ormond college. She was widely criticised by many feminists for being too sympathetic to the Master and angered supporters of the two female students who bought the case against him.
Link here to more information about Helen Garner: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Garner
Several YouTube videos of Helen discussing her work are available.
Her first novel Monkey Grip was published in 1977. It won a National Book Council award in 1978 was filmed in 1982. Since then, Postcards from Surfers won a 1986 NSW Premier's Literary award, & her short novel The Children's Bach won a SA Premier's Literary Award in 1986. Her novel Cosmo Cosmolino was nominated for a Miles Franklin Award in 1993. In 1993 she won a Walkley Award for feature journalism for her story in Time magazine about the Daniel Valerio case. Her first non-fiction book, The First Stone (1995) was highly controversial. It explored a sexual harassment case at the University of Melbourne which led to the sacking of the Master of Ormond college. She was widely criticised by many feminists for being too sympathetic to the Master and angered supporters of the two female students who bought the case against him.
Link here to more information about Helen Garner: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Garner
Several YouTube videos of Helen discussing her work are available.
Award winning novelist
Dorothy Johnston is an award-winning novelist, poet, short story writer, and author of reviews and literary essays who was born in Geelong, Victoria, in 1948. She was winner of the Miles Franklin Award 1986 and 1997. After living in Canberra for thirty years, she has returned to the Bellarine Peninsula, and her new novel (forthcoming Bewrite books) is a sea-change mystery set in Queenscliff titled, 'Through a Camel's Eye'.
Link to her website here:
Sally Learey: Geelong children's book author
Sally Learey (Waurn Ponds) is a children’s book author and ex-primary teacher who began writing children’s books after she learnt that her son, daughter and husband had coeliac disease. She has written two books on food allergies for children. Her first book was title ‘Food for Me is Gluten Free’ (2007) (ISBN: 9780646466651). She has written four location books featuring Lorne, Ballarat, Melbourne and Geelong. Her location book with a distinctively Geelong flavour 'Corio Bay Kingdom' is set in Geelong, The Surf Coast and The Bellarine Peninsula. It includes specific foci on Eastern Beach, The Carousel, The Bollards, Fairy Park, The Barwon River, The Queenscliff Ferry, Torquay surf culture, the beaches at Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads, The You Yangs and Skilled Stadium.
Her most recent book is about personal learning and growth and its titled: “Overcoming Problems: Effective Steps and Strategies to Create your Blockbuster Life".
Her most recent book is about personal learning and growth and its titled: “Overcoming Problems: Effective Steps and Strategies to Create your Blockbuster Life".
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| Sally Learey, 2012. |
- For more information about Sally and her personal growth seminars and books please visit her website: http://www.sallylearey.com
- Information about her books can be found at: http://www.sallysbooks.com/page6.htm
Thursday 8 March 2012
Christian Waller and stained glass
Christian Waller a famous woman artist designed one of the stained glass windows inside Christchurch and in 1942 painted a large mural on the west wall of the church. There is only one other recorded mural by Christian in existence. Christian was also renowned for her illustration work and was the Australian to illustrate Alice in Wonderland. Her work is seen of immense national significance. She pioneered the use of stained glass in Australia, was one of the first Australian female stained glass artists, a book illustrator and supported her husband on her art for a period of time when he returned injured from the first World War. Other windows designs are at Queens College, the University of Melbourne, St. James Cathedral, Melbourne.
She made a total of sixty-five individual stained glass panels - which in terms of quantity, artistry and quality, place her as one of the leading Australian stained glass makers of the twentieth century.
Link here to an image of her stained glass window in Geelong:
Images of her work can be found at:
For more information please follow these links:
She made a total of sixty-five individual stained glass panels - which in terms of quantity, artistry and quality, place her as one of the leading Australian stained glass makers of the twentieth century.
Link here to an image of her stained glass window in Geelong:
Images of her work can be found at:
For more information please follow these links:
- Art Gallery of Ballarat: http://www.artgalleryofballarat.com.au/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/christian-waller-from-klytie-pate.aspx
- Design and Art Australia online: http://www.daao.org.au/bio/christian-waller/
- Australian Dictionary of Biography: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/waller-christian-marjory-emily-carlyle-11944
Geelong Firsts in Education
Geelong Church of England Girls' Grammar School, The Hermitage (Helen Garner’s school) was the first Australian girl’s school to have a uniform & to have compulsory team sports. (Cnr of Hermitage Road & Skene St, Geelong).
More information about The Hermitage: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hermitage_(Australia)
Geelong Firsts: Hilda Tansey
Hilda Tansey 1901 – 1975.
Australia’s First Woman Conductor of a Brass Band.
Follow the links below for more information about Hilda.
This site is written by one of Hilda's nieces and includes lots of photos:
This link is from the Australian Women's History site:Geelong Firsts
Fanny Brownbill (1890 – 1948).
Politician & Member for Geelong (1938 – 1948).
She was the first female local labour Member for Victoria.
Link for more information to The Australian Women's Register
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