Fanny Brownbill
Fanny Brownbill | |
---|---|
Victorian Parliament for Geelong | |
In office 11 June 1938 – 10 October 1948 | |
Preceded by | William Brownbill |
Succeeded by | Edward Montgomery |
Personal details | |
Born | Fanny Eileen Alford 28 April 1890 Labor Party |
Spouse | William Brownbill |
Fanny Eileen Brownbill (28 April 1890 – 10 October 1948) was an Australian state politician, serving as the
Early life and career
Brownbill was born Fanny Alford, the youngest of seven children, in Modewarre,
Upon William's death while in office in 1938, Fanny contested the seat,
Brownbill's particular political passions were the welfare of women, children and the aged. In her maiden speech, she spoke of a mother's life of sacrifice, and urged the Railways Commissioners to allow perambulators on the railways.[6] One of her many achievements was the establishment of Grace McKellar House, a nursing home for the elderly, which is still operating today.
Her by-election was, at times, dramatically fought, with statements from the leader of the United Australia Party, the conservative party of the day, claiming that women were not suited to politics. From The Argus newspaper: "Speaking in support of Mr R. H. Weddell, the endorsed U.A.P. candidate for the Geelong seat, at Geelong West on Monday, the Federal Treasurer (Mr. Casey) expressed doubt whether there was a place for women in politics...'If there is a place for women in politics,' added Mr Casey, 'it is probably in the Legislative Council or in the Senate, where things are quieter and the old gentlemen occasionally drowse into their beards. My advice is, however good a woman may be, to stick to a man for what has always been recognised in the past to be a man's job." – The Argus, 1 June 1938.[5]
Brownbill fought back, stating: "As for his remark that he doubted whether any woman, intellectually of otherwise, could stand up to men of equal ability, it is so audacious and conceited that it almost takes my breath away. What a high opinion Mr Casey has of men, and what a low one of women."[5]
From 1943 to 1948 she was the sole female Member of Parliament after Country/Independent Ivy Weber resigned. After Brownbill's death in 1948, she was described by Acting Premier John McDonald as "...the embodiment of tolerance. Her charming personality had endeared her to all in the chamber, irrespective of the party." In addition, both Mr William Galvin[7] and Mr Trevor Oldham[8] gave glowing tributes to Mrs Brownbill[9] It was nearly 20 years before another woman was elected to the Victorian Parliament, when Dorothy Goble won the seat of Mitcham in 1967.[10]
In 2003 Brownbill was inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
References
- ^ Thomas, Joanne. "Brownbill, Fanny Eileen (1890–1948)". Australian National University. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
- ^ Browne, Geoff. "Brownbill, William". Library Committee, Parliament of Victoria. Victorian Government Printing Office. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
- ISBN 9781862874602.
- ^ "STATE PARLIAMENT LOSES ONLY WOMAN MEMBER". The Argus. Melbourne. 11 October 1948. p. 7. Retrieved 28 October 2011 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c "WOMEN IN POLITICS". The Argus. Melbourne. 1 June 1938. p. 6. Retrieved 28 October 2011 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Fanny Brownbill's Inaugural Speech to Parliament, Parliament of Victoria.
- ^ Browne, Geoff. "Galvin, (Leslie) William". Library Committee, Parliament of Victoria. Victorian Government Printing Office. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
- ^ Browne, Geoff. "Oldham, Trevor". Library Committee, Parliament of Victoria. Victorian Government Printing Office. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
- ^ "Obituary". The Age. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
- ^ Browne, Geoff. "Goble, Dorothy Ada". Library Committee, Parliament of Victoria. Victorian Government Printing Office. Retrieved 25 October 2011.