AU30 – Catherine Helen Spence

Stitchers:  Jean Lumsden & Meredith Strain – Adelaide

Born 1825 in Melrose, Scotland, Spence was author, teacher, journalist, politician, preacher, reformer, feminist, literary critic and social commentator, suffragist. In 1839 her family emigrated to South Australia arriving on 31 October 1839, her 14th birthday. In 1897 Spence became Australia’s first female political candidate after standing for the Federal Convention held in Adelaide. She was called the “Greatest Australian Woman” by Miles Franklin and given the nomenclature of “Grand Old Woman of Australia’ on her eightieth birthday. Spence was commemorated on the Australian five dollar note issued for the Centenary of the Commonwealth of Australia. She died at Norwood, South Australia in 1910.

AU30 Caitrìona Eilidh Spence: Seann Dheagh Bhoireannach Astràilia
Rugadh i am Meall Ròis ann an Alba sa bhliadhna 1825. B’ e ùghdar, neach-teagaisg, naidheachdair, neach-poilitigs, searmonaiche, ath-leasaichear, neach-dìon bhoireannach, breithniche litreachais is aithrisiche sòisealta agus neach-chòirean bhòtaidh a bh’ innte. Ann an 1839, rinn a teaghlach às-imrich à Alba a dh’Astràilia a Deas, a’ ruighinn air 31 Dàmhair 1839, an latha a bha i ceithir bliadhna deug. Ann an 1897, thàinig Spence gu bhith mar a’ chiad bhoireannach a bha na tagraiche poilitigs ann an Astràilia an dèidh seasamh airson an Àrd-reachdais Fheadaraileach a bha air a chumail ann an Adelaide. Bha i ainmichte mar “Am Boireannach Astràilianach as Ainmeile” le Maoilios Franklin agus choisinn i tiotal “Deagh Sheann Bhoireannach Astràilia” air a h-ochdadamh co-là-breith. Bha Spence air a cochuimhneachadh air a’ phàipear còig doilearan Astràilianach a chuireadh a-mach aig àm Cuimhneachan Ceud Bliadhna Caidreachas Astràilia. Fhuair i bàs ann an Norwood ann an Ceann a Deas Astràilia sa bhliadhna 1910.