Novocastians, Jude Conway needs your help. As part of her project Histories of Hunter Women, Jude is trying to determine what year the following women died [and if by chance any are still alive heartfelt apologies]. As Jude explains on her blog:

“Many historical accounts of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley have focussed on the roles of men in the heavy industries, mining and pre-1970s governance and largely ignored women’s contributions to the region. However looking laterally at, for example, health, education, the arts, sport and activism draws women out from behind the industrial smoke screen.

To even the balance, I have started collecting data (newspaper articles, letters, writings, photographs, job references, obituaries etc) about Hunter Valley women who stood out from the crowd, who were ground breakers, creators, achievers, adventurous, or even infamous, in any occupation or activity before the year 2000.”

If you have any information on the women listed below please contact Jude at judithaconway@gmail.com

Alice Ferguson from Merewether
Val Wells – headmistress of NGHS
Kath Stewart – headmistress of Church of England grammar school
Betty Roberts – Science inspector
Nan Musgrove – journalist
Joan May – councillor
Zell Meehan – secretary to Lord mayors
Joan Rule – missionary
Ruby Grisdale – singer and Red Cross stalwart
Vera O’Byrne – lecturer at Newcastle university
Rhona Beare – classics lecturer at Newcastle university
Mary Hall – geography lecturer at Newcastle university
Bethia Penglase – lecturer at Newcastle university
Jess Dyce – lecturer at Teachers College/CAE 

Way to go Jude. I wish you well with your project!