PRESS STATEMENT NO. 462
7 March 1975
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR
The Prime Minister will give the opening address at
an International Women's Day reception to be held in Melbourne
tomorrow night.
The function will begin at 7.30 p. m. in the Melbourne
Custom House Ballrocm.
It is in honour of Victorian women pioneers in many
fields of endeavour formerly the province of men.
They include Dr J. Daws, first woman President-elect
of the Ms N. Preston, first woman bus conductor;
Rev. C. Ling,. first woman ordained in Methodist Church and Rev.
M. Thalheiver, first woman ordained in Presbyterian Church;
Ms A. Polis, first woman editor of a suburban newspaper;
Ms K. Polgrase, first woman apprentice motor-mechanic and Ms
K. Perrin, first woman Governor of Fairlea Women's Prison.
A full list of notable Victorian women " firsts" is
available from the P. M.' s Press Office.
CANBERRA, A. C. T. J)> AU ST L A.&
NAES OF FIRSTS
DAY CELEBRATION TO
I
DR. LORNA SISLEY:
( 24-6860)
Dr. J. Dgws
Miss M. Maxwell
Ms. A. Polis
( 419-3037)
Ms. N. Findley
( 58-4659) ( h) MEDI CAL
1st woman to be admitted as a Fello7of the Rojal Australasion
College of Surgeons as a general Surgeon in Victoria.
1st. and only wvoman to be awarded Craig Travelling Scholarship
of Royal Australian College of Surgeons. Only woman member
of Urological Society of Australasia. Now Senior Surgeon of
Queen Victoria Hospital.
1st. woman President-elect Aust. Medical Association
PRESbS ( cannot attend-sending message
1st ' Women's Section Editor Melbourne Herald ( 98 years old -crippled)
Ist. Women Editor Suburban Newspaper ( Melbourne Times)
EDUCATION
1st woman Fullbright Scholarship award in Victoria most likely
Australia, Now Principal Emily McPherson School of Domestic
Economy.
Dr. E. MESSER First Ph. d. Now employed Dept of Labour Librarian.
( 63-0361) 96-5624 ( h)
Ms. K. Grant-Stevenson lsot~. Pincipal Co-od :; condcry School (-o-ing~ rteed High School.)
( 328-1796)
Ms. T. Prior
Ms. Y. Smith
Ms. D. Sonenberg
-r ( 38-5056) ( h)
Ms. M. Tipping
( 24.7133) ( h)
Ms. A. New/ ton
Ms. N. Preston
( 29-6485)
Ms. A. Morton
Ms. N. Ouens
Ms. M. Henderson
Ms. M. Pegan
( 42-4368) ( h) INDUSTRIAL
Shop Steward I. C. I. for 26 years.
1st Claims Officer Butchers Union only one known in Vio.
1st woman Secretary Insurance Staff Association, only one knomw
Vic.
Isyfersonell Officer Cyclone Factory 1950' s
Ist./ v0ce-nPres, then Pres. Royal Historical Society ( Vio.)
1st. Woman Conductor Trams ( prefer no interviews)
1st. \ oman Conductor ( Buses)
1st, woman bus cleaner Fitzroy Depot
Ist, woman timber worker still employed Bruthen Vi.,
1st woman Concrete Technologist
1st woman Overhead Electrical Crane Driver
Ms. G. ', 1fitelaw
( 57-4472)
Ms. K. Polgrase APP R E N T I C ES
1st woman apprentice-gardener Melb. City Council
1st woman apprentice motor mechanic John Oulc' Motors
1st woman apprentice State Electricity Commission ( Morwell)
C HU R C H
CHURCH
SRev. C. Ling st woman to be ordained in Methodist Church ( Buckley Sto Methodist Ch.
Rev. M. Thalheirer 1st woman to be ordained in Presbyterian Church ( The Manse Romsey)
Ms. Ms. G. Brobner
Ms. ( 874-5584) GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT ( Police)
1st woman to be appointed to C. I. B.
errin ist. omar. Governor ' Fairlea Women's Prison. Foni.; rly Matron
V~ inff^^-
in numerous fields for PRESS RELEASE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S
BE HELD CUSTOM HOUSE BALLROOM-MARCH 8th, at 7.30 pn.
F
Us. K. P
-2-
NAMES OF 1OMEN FLRSTS PRESS RELEASE TTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION
CUSTOM HOUSE BALLROOM MARCH 8th 7.30 pm,
Mu. F.,-Eduwards
Ms. C. Ball
( 836-6578)
Ms. I. Lics
Ms. P. Perry
( 36-1565)
Ms. I. Plo\ man
Ms. D. M. Brady
( 93-1631)
Ms. E. M. Tracy
( 29-4926)
Sister Burcholl
( 878-8746)
Ms. Z. D'aprano
( 387-2318)
Ms. M. Doring
( 86-5462)
Cr. N. Barbour
( 90-2000)
Ms. J. Bates
( 81-4612) MI SC ELLANE US
Groat Granduughtor of Miru. E. Davis the first Registrar of Births,
Marriages Deaths in Melbourne offico was in kew. Mrs. Davis
was also in Royal Socioty of St. Georgo.
lot woman to be granted a liquor licence for a grocery business
( although married)
1st wom, n to open a Gent's Hairdressing salon Melb. ( 18 yrs, ago)
1st woman to open a Theatrical Agency still in business,
Woman Cyclist rode Sydney to Melbourne 1938 beat the then
best male cyclist Hubert Opperman on the Razor Back stretch.
1st woman Commercial Traveller employod by large firm.
1st woman in Melbourne to be employed selling radio sets
1932. 1st woman Australian Inland Mission wrote book ' Imamincka' is
now in its 5th edition and translated into Braille-all proceeds
from book goes to ' Homes for the Aged Darwin'.
1st woman in Melbourne to chain hebself tothe ralings at the
Arbitration in protost re their Judgement in equal pay case
Later chained herself to Commonwealth Building in same cause.
1st women Building Student R. M. I. T. Working at present on a
Building site full time necessary to work 2 years on site to
receive Diploma.
24 years as a Councillor
1st woman ' Hansard Writer for Victorian Parliament still
employed. Organisations to be represented
Women's Christian Temperance Union
Housewives Association
League of Women Voters
Girl Guides Association
Women's International League for Peace
Women's Health Collective
Abortion Contraceptive Advisory Centre
Council for Aboriginal Rights
Victorian Council for Aboriginal Island
Victorian Aboriginal Advancement League
Women's Electoral Lobby
National Council of Women
South Melbourne Community Chest
Rape Crisis Centre
Half-way House for Women
Union of Australian Women
Country Women's Association
Women's Centre ( Melbourne)
Unitarian Church C'ttee.
Colinail for Single Mother Child ( as guests)
Unions
Tramway's Union, Butcher's Union
Aust. Metal Workers Union
Postal Workers Union
Freedom Furnishing Trades Union
Liquor Trades Union
Plumber's Union
I Women Clothing Trades Union
Gippsland Trades Labour Council
Australian Railways Union
Miscellaneous Workers Union