Jessie Robertson
Encyclopedia
Jessie Marian Robertson was an Australian radio broadcaster and community leader.
Robertson was born in West Perth to Scottish-born journalist Robert Robertson and his wife Agnes
, who would go on to become a member of the Australian Senate
. Jessie attended Thomas Street State and Perth Modern schools, and after training as a home science teacher founded Phoebe's School of Domestic Art in 1931. She was a radio announcer on Radio 6IX from the mid-1930s and became known as "Phoebe the early cook" or "Aunt Judy" for her cooking and children's shows respectively.
In December 1941, Robertson enlisted in the Australian Women's Army Service and was commissioned lieutenant
in January 1942. She transferred to Victoria in May 1943 and was promoted captain
on 28 July. Her appointment ended with the war on 21 December 1945. She returned to her radio programs and revived many of her previous characters; she co-hosted the community program "Help your neighbour" from 1951 and covered Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 1954.
Robertson was a foundation member (1946) of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Perth, leading the Australian delegation to the seventh international congress at Montreal
in 1956. She was also a foundation member of the AWAS Association of Western Australia (1947), the Soroptimist Club of Perth (1958) and the King Edward Memorial Hospital auxiliary (1958). She was state president of the National Council of Women (1956–59 and 1966–72) and of the Australian-Asian Association (1960–65) and international president of the Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association (1961–64). She stood several times as a Country Party candidate for federal office, but was defeated. She was elected to Mundaring Shire Council in 1969 as the first female alderman, and was deputy president from 1972 to 1974.
Robertson died in 1976 of hypertensive heart disease
at Alfred Carson Hospital, Claremont
, and was cremated with Presbyterian forms.
Robertson was born in West Perth to Scottish-born journalist Robert Robertson and his wife Agnes
Agnes Robertson
Agnes Robertson Robertson was an Australian Senator for Western Australia.She was elected to the senate in 1950 as a Liberal Party representative; in 1955 she switched her allegiance and represented the Country Party for the remainder of her parliamentary service; for this reason she is regarded...
, who would go on to become a member of the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
. Jessie attended Thomas Street State and Perth Modern schools, and after training as a home science teacher founded Phoebe's School of Domestic Art in 1931. She was a radio announcer on Radio 6IX from the mid-1930s and became known as "Phoebe the early cook" or "Aunt Judy" for her cooking and children's shows respectively.
In December 1941, Robertson enlisted in the Australian Women's Army Service and was commissioned lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in January 1942. She transferred to Victoria in May 1943 and was promoted captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
on 28 July. Her appointment ended with the war on 21 December 1945. She returned to her radio programs and revived many of her previous characters; she co-hosted the community program "Help your neighbour" from 1951 and covered Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 1954.
Robertson was a foundation member (1946) of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Perth, leading the Australian delegation to the seventh international congress at Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in 1956. She was also a foundation member of the AWAS Association of Western Australia (1947), the Soroptimist Club of Perth (1958) and the King Edward Memorial Hospital auxiliary (1958). She was state president of the National Council of Women (1956–59 and 1966–72) and of the Australian-Asian Association (1960–65) and international president of the Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association (1961–64). She stood several times as a Country Party candidate for federal office, but was defeated. She was elected to Mundaring Shire Council in 1969 as the first female alderman, and was deputy president from 1972 to 1974.
Robertson died in 1976 of hypertensive heart disease
Hypertensive heart disease
Hypertensive heart disease is any of a number of complications of arterial hypertension that affects the heart.-Symptoms:* Fatigue* Cardiomegaly* Irregular pulse* Swelling of feet* Weight gain* Nausea* Shortness of breath...
at Alfred Carson Hospital, Claremont
Claremont, Western Australia
Claremont is a western suburb of Perth, Western Australia on the north bank of the Swan River.-History:Prior to European settlement, the Noongar people used the area as a source of water, for fishing and for catching waterfowl. In 1830, John Butler, a settler, set up an inn at Freshwater Bay to...
, and was cremated with Presbyterian forms.