Florence Hummerston

Florence Ellen Hummerston OBE JP, née Hayman, (6 March 1889 – 31 December 1983) was an Australian politician. She was a City of Perth councillor between 1951 and 1969.

Florence Hummerston

OBE, JP
City of Perth Councillor
In office
1951–1969
Personal details
Born
Florence Ellen Hayman

(1889-03-06)6 March 1889
Fremantle, Western Australia
Died31 December 1983(1983-12-31) (aged 94)
Como, Western Australia
Resting placeKarrakatta Cemetery
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal and Country League
Spouse(s)Victor Hummerston (1909 – 1973)
ChildrenEmily (1910 – 1928)

Biography

Early life

Hummerston was born on 6 March 1889 in Fremantle, Western Australia. Her father was George Hayman and her mother, Emily Hayman. She was educated at St Joseph's school and Underwood Business College.

Florence Hummerston Reserve sign in Perth, Western Australia
Florence Hummerston Reserve in Perth, Western Australia

Early career

After leaving school, she was employed in her father's business as a secretary and typist. After marrying Victor Hummerston, she soon focussed on raising her daughter. After Victor returned from serving in World War I, she managed a billiards hall, later operating a shop with her husband.[1]

Public life

From the late 1910s, she became involved in charitable and philanthropic endeavours. She was involved in the Women’s Service Guilds of Western Australia, serving as vice president between 1937 and 1941. She was Western Australian Commander of the Women’s Australian National Service (WANS) and was involved with the establishment of the state branch of the Australian Women's Land Army. In 1943, as part of WANS, she helped set up the Wanslea Hostel. In 1954 she opened Meals on Wheels in Western Australia.[1][2][3]

Political career

She was elected as a City of Perth councillor for the South Ward in 1951, becoming the first female councillor.[4]

She was an unsuccessful Liberal and Country League candidate for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of North Perth in 1953.[5]

Honours

In 1960, she became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to social welfare.[6]

The Florence Hummerston Kiosk in Perth is named for her, and housed the Florence Hummerston Day Care Centre between 1985 and 1998.[7]

A pocket park on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Mount Street is named in her honour.

Personal life and death

She married Victor Hummerston in 1909 at St Patrick's Church in Fremantle. They had a daughter Emily (born 1910) who died at the age of 18 from kidney failure.[2][8][9] She was widowed in 1973 when Victor died. She lived until 1983 when she died at Como aged 94. She was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.[2][10]

References
  1. Wellstead, Peta (2005). The WANS: Pledged to Unity and Service (PDF). Scarborough, Western Australia: Wanslea Family Services. ISBN 0-646-44645-2.
  2. Gregory, Jenny. "Hummerston, Florence Ellen (Flo) (1889–1983)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  3. "Pensioners get 'Meals on Wheels'". The West Australian. 27 December 1954. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  4. "Perth Elects First Woman Councillor". The Sunday Times. 25 November 1951. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  5. "W.A. Election Results". The Sunday Herald. 15 February 1953. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  6. "The Order of the British Empire - Officer (Civil) (OBE) entry for Florence Hummerston". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 January 1960. Retrieved 14 November 2012. For service to social welfare.
  7. "Esplanade Reserve" (PDF). Register of Heritage Places - Assessment Documentation. Heritage Council of Western Australia. 22 February 2002. p. 2. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  8. "Family Notices - Marriages". The West Australian. 23 October 1909. p. 1. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  9. "Family Notices - Deaths". The Daily News. 29 October 1928. p. 10. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  10. "Summary Of Record Information - Florence Ellen Hummerston". Metropolitan Cemeteries Board. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
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