Nancy Buttfield
Encyclopedia
Dame Nancy Buttfield DBE
(12 November 1912 - 4 September 2005) was an Australia
n Senator
and the first woman to serve in the Australian Parliament
as a representative of the state of South Australia
.
Born as Nancy Eileen Holden, her father was Sir Edward Holden, the Australian automotives magnate. She first entered the Senate on 11 October 1955, having been chosen by the Parliament of South Australia
under Section 15 of the Australian Constitution to replace Senator George McLeay
, who had died the previous month, on 14 September.
She was elected in her own right in the 1955 general election
. On 8 December 1961 she resigned her seat in the Senate, but only in order to fill a different casual vacancy
commencing immediately, which extended the length of her term. On 8 February 1962, Gordon Davidson
was appointed to the vacancy that she herself created.
Although her parliamentary service was continuous, she was the first woman member of the Australian parliament to resign. She remained in the Senate until 30 June 1965, having lost her seat at the 1964 election. She was re-elected in 1967
, her new term commencing on 1 July 1968. When a Federal Election was called on 11 April 1974
, both houses were dissolved (a Double Dissolution
) and she chose to retire at that time. She served a total of sixteen and a half years.
She was known for her advocacy of women's rights. It is said that with the encouragement of the then Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies
, she broke down a long-established convention in Old Parliament House
by becoming the first woman to drink at the previously male-only Members' Bar.
(DBE) in the New Year's Honours of 1972, becoming Senator Dame Nancy Buttfield.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(12 November 1912 - 4 September 2005) was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Senator
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,...
and the first woman to serve in the Australian Parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
as a representative of the state of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
.
Born as Nancy Eileen Holden, her father was Sir Edward Holden, the Australian automotives magnate. She first entered the Senate on 11 October 1955, having been chosen by the Parliament of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
under Section 15 of the Australian Constitution to replace Senator George McLeay
George McLeay
George McLeay was an Australian politician and senior minister in the Menzies Liberal government.McLeay was born in Port Clinton, South Australia and educated at Port Clinton Public School until 1906 when he was sent to Adelaide where he continued his education at Unley Public School...
, who had died the previous month, on 14 September.
She was elected in her own right in the 1955 general election
Australian federal election, 1955
Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 December 1955. All 122 seats in the House of Representatives, and 30 of the 60 seats in the Senate were up for election. The incumbent Liberal Party of Australia led by Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies with coalition partner the Country Party...
. On 8 December 1961 she resigned her seat in the Senate, but only in order to fill a different casual vacancy
Casual vacancy
In the Parliament of Australia, a casual vacancy is caused when a member of either house :* dies* resigns mid-term * is expelled from Parliament and their seat is declared vacant, or...
commencing immediately, which extended the length of her term. On 8 February 1962, Gordon Davidson
Gordon Davidson (Australian politician)
Gordon Sinclair Davidson was an Australian politician. He was a grazier and church administrator before entering politics. In 1961, he was appointed to the Australian Senate as a Liberal Senator for South Australia, filling the casual vacancy caused by the death of Rex Pearson...
was appointed to the vacancy that she herself created.
Although her parliamentary service was continuous, she was the first woman member of the Australian parliament to resign. She remained in the Senate until 30 June 1965, having lost her seat at the 1964 election. She was re-elected in 1967
Australian Senate election, 1967
Half-senate elections were held in Australia on 25 November 1967.Independent: Reg Turnbull -See also:*Candidates of the Australian Senate election, 1967*Members of the Australian Senate, 1968–1971-References:...
, her new term commencing on 1 July 1968. When a Federal Election was called on 11 April 1974
Australian federal election, 1974
Federal elections were held in Australia on 18 May 1974. All 127 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 60 seats in the Senate were up for election, due to a double dissolution...
, both houses were dissolved (a Double Dissolution
Double dissolution
A double dissolution is a procedure permitted under the Australian Constitution to resolve deadlocks between the House of Representatives and the Senate....
) and she chose to retire at that time. She served a total of sixteen and a half years.
She was known for her advocacy of women's rights. It is said that with the encouragement of the then Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies
Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, , Australian politician, was the 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia....
, she broke down a long-established convention in Old Parliament House
Old Parliament House, Canberra
Old Parliament House, known formerly as the Provisional Parliament House, was the house of the Parliament of Australia from 1927 to 1988. The building began operation on 9 May 1927 as a temporary base for the Commonwealth Parliament after its relocation from Melbourne to the new capital, Canberra,...
by becoming the first woman to drink at the previously male-only Members' Bar.
Honours
She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(DBE) in the New Year's Honours of 1972, becoming Senator Dame Nancy Buttfield.