Biographical entry: Fox, Mary
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Mary Elizabeth Gertrude Fox MBE (1877-1962), headmistress, was born at Ross, the daughter of William Fox, Headmaster of Horton College, 1863-89. Educated at Launceston's Methodist Ladies' College and the University of Tasmania, where she obtained a Master of Arts, she was appointed Headmistress of the Methodist Ladies' College in 1903, aged 26. She was greatly admired, both as teacher and headmistress - dignified, kind, wise and good-humoured, 'strict but fair' and a dedicated Christian. During her extremely successful period as headmistress, 1903-41, enrolments increased from 33 to over 300, necessitating new buildings.
Always forward-looking, Miss Fox established a kindergarten (1914) and Domestic Science programme (1929), and formed a Tasmanian association of headmasters and headmistresses of independent schools. She greatly encouraged women's sport, particularly cricket and hockey, in both the College and Tasmania generally.
Jo Oliver