Lyra Taylor Explained

Lyra Veronica Esmeralda Taylor (11 July 1894 – 1979) was a New Zealand lawyer and social worker. She spent much of her career in Australia.

Taylor was born on 11 July 1894 in Stratford, New Zealand. She was one of four children of Robert Taylor, a farmer from England, and his New Zealand-born wife Mary, née Morrison. One of her siblings was Clara Taylor, who became a science teacher in England.^{[1] [2]} Another sister, Portia, became a doctor in England, and Taylor's only brother became a barrister.^{[3] [4]}

Taylor studied law at the Victoria University of Wellington, and was "called to the bar" in 1918,^[5] the first woman to be a barrister in Wellington.^[1] In 1919, Taylor was made partner at a law firm which duly renamed itself as Kirk, Wilson, and Taylor.^[6]

In early 1940 Taylor was appointed general secretary of the Y.W.C.A. in New South Wales.^[7] In 1944 she started work with the Australian Department of Social Services.^[8] Taylor was sent on a 10 month study tour of England, Canada and the United States sponsored by the Carnegie Trust.^{[9] [10]}

Taylor was a founding member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.^[1]

In the 1959 Queen's Birthday Honours, Taylor was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.^{[11] [12]}

Notes and References

1. taylor-lyra-veronica-esmeralda-11831. Taylor, Lyra Veronica Esmeralda (1894–1979). Bundock. Anthea. 19 November 2014.
2. Web site: Women's World: New Zealand author . 2024-01-03 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
3. Web site: Current Topics . 2024-01-03 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
4. Web site: Wedding in England . 2024-01-03 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
5. News: Auckland Star – Personal – 1 April 1918. 1 April 1918. Auckland Star. 12 September 2015.
6. Web site: Evening Post Vol XCVIII Issue 105 31 October 2019 pg 6: Legal. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 2019-04-10.
7. News: Y.W.C.A. SECRETARY.. 1940-01-11. Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954). 2020-03-28. 19.
8. Web site: Opening the National Australian Social Policy Conference – 8 July 2009. Quentin Bryce. Quentin Bryce. 8 July 2009. 21 November 2014.
9. News: Youth Clubs Tell World Of Democracy. 1949-01-14. Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954). 2020-03-28. 7.
10. News: MISS LYRA TAYLOR RETURNS . . 33,351 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 November 1944 . 30 July 2022 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
11. September 1979. Obituary – Miss Lyra Taylor, O.B.E., M.A., LL.B.. Australian Social Work. 32. 3. 10.1080/03124077908549568. 49–50.
12. News: Supplement to The London Gazette, 13th June 1959. 5 June 1959. The London Gazette. Government of the United Kingdom. 3737 . 19 November 2014.