Mary Gilmore: A short biography
Mary Gilmore was born in 1865 in Cotta Walla, New South Whales. She became a successful teacher and took up a position at Silverton, there she developed her socialist views and began writing poetry. After Gilmore spent some years in South America, she came back to Australia with her husband. She spent her life writing, doing her editing work and fighting for people who needed help. She also fought hard for women's rights. She became a writer and was editor of the women's pages of the Australian Worker newspaper for 23 years. In 1937, she was made Dame Mary Gilmore by King George VI. In her later years, Gilmore separated from her husband, moved to Sydney, and enjoyed her growing status as a national literary icon. After the war Gilmore published volumes of memoirs and reminiscences of colonial Australia and the literary giants of 1890s Sydney. Gilmore eventually died at aged 97 and was accorded a state funeral. A suburb of Canberra is named after her and her picture is also on the $10 note.