Clive Lord Memorial Lecture: Teresa Hamilton in Tasmania: first-wave feminism in action

Abstract

Teresa Hamilton arrived in Tasmania in March 1887, when her husband, Sir Robert Hamilton, became Governor. She undertook the social activities expected of the governor's wife with panache but, being a forceful lady, she was imbued with new ideas of the activities suitable for women, such as were becoming popular in Britain. She arranged, sometimes even delivering herself, lectures on health, diet, sanitation, first aid, nursing and hygiene, open to women of all classes. She formed the Nursing Band which later became the District Nursing Association and involved herself in a women's refuge home, education for girls, sanitary reform and temperance activity. Other interests were women's sport, art and the still-existing Hamilton Literary Society. In two areas she encouraged women to influence public opinion and try to change laws. Teresa Hamilton left Tasmania with its structure much as it had been before her arrival, but with women of all classes shown how to play a more active role in that structure.