Roma Mitchell
Encyclopedia
Governors of South Australia
The Governor of South Australia is the representative in the Australian state of South Australia of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. The Governor performs the same constitutional and ceremonial functions at the state level as does the Governor-General of Australia at the national level.In...
of an Australian state.
Roma Mitchell was born in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
in 1913, the second daughter and youngest child of Harold and Maude Mitchell (née Wickham).
A graduate of St Aloysius Convent College
St Aloysius College, Adelaide
St Aloysius College is a Catholic, day school for girls, situated in Adelaide, South Australia.St Aloysius College, also known as "SAC", was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880, and educates over 950 students from Reception to Year 12....
, Adelaide, she was made a Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1965. She was still the only female judge in South Australia when she retired 18 years later in 1983 although Justices Elizabeth Evatt
Elizabeth Evatt
Elizabeth Andreas Evatt, AC , an emminent Australian reformist lawyer and jurist who sat on numerous national and international tribunals and commissions, was the first Chief Judge of the Family Court of Australia, the first female judge of an Australian federal court, and the first Australian to...
and Mary Gaudron
Mary Gaudron
Mary Genevieve Gaudron, AC, QC , Australian lawyer and judge, was the first female Justice of the High Court of Australia.-Youth:...
had been appointed to federal courts by the Whitlam Government.
She was Governor of South Australia
Governors of South Australia
The Governor of South Australia is the representative in the Australian state of South Australia of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. The Governor performs the same constitutional and ceremonial functions at the state level as does the Governor-General of Australia at the national level.In...
from 1991–1996, the first female Governor in Australia. Mitchell also served as Chancellor of the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
from 1983–1990 and was a member of the Council for the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
from 1981 to 1990.
Other
Dame Roma Mitchell was considered to be a pioneer of the Australian women's rightsWomen's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
movement. Her grandfather, Samuel James Mitchell
Samuel James Mitchell
The Hon. Samuel James Mitchell was the first Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and served from 1911 to 1912.-Early life:...
, was the first Chief Justice of the Northern Territory
Chief Justice of the Northern Territory
The title of Chief Justice of the Northern Territory refers to the highest judicial position in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. The position is currently held by Trevor Riley.-History of the Chief Justice of the Northern Territory:...
.
Honours
Roma Mitchell was appointed a 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...
(CBE) on 12 June 1971. She was raised to Dame Commander (DBE) on 12 June 1982.
On 26 January 1991, Dame Roma was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AC), Australia's highest civilian honour, for services to the law, to learning, and to the community.
She was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(CVO) on 1 January 2000. Dame Roma received her honour directly from The Queen of Australia in a private investiture.