Dorothy Edwards


Launceston when Dorothy Edwards was mayor (AOT, PH30/1/5191)

Dorothy Edna Annie Edwards CBE (née Fleming, b 1907), community activist. Educated at Deloraine primary school, Launceston High School and the University of Tasmania, in 1931 she studied at the London School of Economics, returning to teach at Launceston and Hobart High Schools. Marrying Rex Edwards in 1933, she has two sons.

Alderman of Launceston City Council from 1949 to 1964, Dorothy Edwards was one of Australia's first woman mayors, 1956–57. She worked actively with over fourteen organisations for extended periods, being a member among others of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Commission, Metropolitan Transport Trust, Decimal Currency Committee, State Library Board and Queen Victoria Hospital Board. Long-term involvement with the National Council of Women saw her Australian convenor for civic affairs, national president and honorary councillor for life. In 1984 she was granted the Freedom of the City of Launceston. (See also Local Government.)

Dorothy Rosemann