Gertrude Amy Roseby Explained

Gertrude Amy Roseby
Birth Date:	20 April 1872
Birth Place:	Dunedin, New Zealand
Death Place:	Willoughby, New South Wales
Occupation:	Headmistress, peace activist

Gertrude Amy Roseby (20 April 1872 – 27 December 1971) was an Australian Congregationalist lay leader as well as school teacher, principal and co-owner of a school with her sister (Sarah) Mabel Roseby.^[1]

Early life

Born in Dunedin, New Zealand on 20 April 1872, Roseby was the eldest of ten children born to Rev Thomas Roseby and his wife Sarah (nee Hooworth). Roseby's father was a Congregationalist minister. Her younger sister was Sarah Mabel Roseby and she would in time work for her as a maths teacher.

Roseby was privately tutored before entering the University of Sydney.^[2] She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1895 with second class honours in logic and mental philosophy.

Teaching career

Roseby taught at Rockhampton Girls' Grammar School, Queensland for eight years before travelling to Britain for further study. She completed a Diploma of Pedagogy at the University of London (1905). In the following two years, Roseby taught at the Wyggeston School for Girls in Leicester before returning to Australia.

In 1908, she became headmistress of Ascham, Darling Point. Roseby lived on site and served under principal HJ Carter. In April 1911, she bought Redlands School, Neutral Bay with her sister Mabel.^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} Redlands was a school with 35 day girls and 8 boarders when she acquired it, and grew to 400 students under Roseby's direction.^[7] She also extended the grounds and buildings to accommodate the extra students. Roseby encouraged capable students to pursue university studies. The school was sold to the Church of England in 1945.

Roseby was chair of the Sydney Kindergarten Training College between 1946 and 1950. She was founder of Wybalena Hostel for Girls, Burwood and served as treasurer 1951–63. Roseby was also a member of the NSW Women's Inter-Church Council and the National Council of Women of New South Wales.

Activism

Roseby was a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Rotary Peace Fellowship. She was a life member of the Congregational Women's Association and served as president in 1942 to 1946.

Awards

Roseby was appointed an OBE in June 1958.^{[8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. News: 1972-08-25. IN the will and two codicils of GERTRUDE AMY ROSEBY, O.B.E., late of 20 Chaleyer Street, Willoughby, near Sydney. 3467. Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001). 2021-02-12.
2. Web site: Melbourne. National Foundation for Australian Women and The University of. Roseby, Gertrude Amy – Woman – The Australian Women's Register. 2021-02-12. www.womenaustralia.info. en-gb.
3. News: 1940-08-09. NOTICE UNDER REAL PROPERTY ACT.. 3338. Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001). 2021-02-12.
4. Book: S.C.E.G.G.S. Redlands in retrospect : the story of the school from 1884 to 1965. 1990. Council of S.C.E.C.G.S. Redlands. Myrtle Gillham, Ronald Dunlop, Joanne Birkl, S.C.E.C.G.S. Redlands. Council. 0-9592147-1-2. [Cremorne, N.S.W.]. 27634181.
5. News: 1923-01-19. REDLANDS, NEUTRAL BAY. 2. Sydney Stock and Station Journal (NSW : 1896 - 1924). 2021-02-12.
6. News: 1926-07-31. REDLANDS REUNION DANCE.. 12. Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954). 2021-02-12.
7. Web site: 1911 – 1945 – Redlands. 2021-02-22. Redlands.
8. News: 1958-06-26. Government Gazette Notices. 2043. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 – 1973). 2021-02-12.
9. Web site: Miss Gertrude Amy ROSEBY. 10 Feb 2021. Australian Honours Search.