Edith Dircksey Cowan Memorial

Statement of Significance

Edith Dircksey Cowan Memorial, a six metre high clock tower constructed of Donnybrook freestone in the Inter-war Art Deco style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
+ the Memorial commemorates the life and achievements of Edith Dircksey Cowan, Australia's first woman parliamentarian;
t+ the memorial is believed to be the first civic monument erected in Australia to honour an Australian woman;
+ the Memorial is a fine example of the Inter-war Art Deco style incorporating indigenous floral motifs;
+ the Memorial has landmark qualities and marks the entrance to Kings Park; + the Memorial was designed by architect Harold Boas, the bronze portrait bust of Edith Cowan was by artist Margaret Johnson; and,
+ the clocks on the Memorial are representative of the few remaining functioning public clocks in the city of Perth.

Physical Description

Granite obelisk with rough face to base and smooth cut stone to main structure. The obelisk features a profile of Edith Cowan in bronze and a clock. The words "erected in honour of Edith Dircksey Cowan OBE JP by those that admired her good works for humanity 1861-1932". First woman member of Parliament in Australia the words 'A Life of Service" are cast in bronze on the obelisk.

History

Edith Cowan was a pioneer in the emergence of Western Australian Women into public life. She was a leader in virtually every social welfare and women's rights organisation from the mid 1890's including the Karrakatta Club, the North Fremantle District Board of Education, Children's Protection Society, House of Mercy, the Women's Service Guild and the National Council of Women.

Edith Cowan was also a justice of the peace and a member of the bench of the Children's Court. During World War 1 Edith Cowan worked for the Recruiting Committee, the Red Cross and the Soldiers Welfare Committee.

Edith Cowan along with other women of the time claimed the rights of full citizenship including the right to sit in Parliament. In 1921 Edith Cowan was elected to the Legislative Assembly as the Nationalist member for West Perth therefore being the first woman member of Parliament in Australia. One of Edith Cowan's first private member bills opened the legal profession to women.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.

High level of authenticity, has been recently conserved.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.