Georgina Sweet
Encyclopedia
Georgina Sweet was an Australian zoologist and women's rights activist. She was the first woman to graduate with a Doctor of Science
from the University of Melbourne
, and was the first female acting professor in an Australian university.
; her father George Sweet was an amateur geologist and encouraged both his daughters to enter tertiary education. Sweet attended the Parkville Ladies' College, then went on to the University of Melbourne where she completed her BSc
in 1896 and her MSc in 1898. Her early research was supervised by Baldwin Spencer
and was on Australian fauna
, but her later studies were based in the veterinary department working on parasites. She was awarded her DSc in 1904 for her study of Notoryctes - the marsupial mole; she was the first woman to take out a Doctor of Science at the University. Her work on parasites in Australian native animals and stock led to the award of the David Syme Research Prize
in 1911, she was the first female recipient of the prize and she received a reputation as Australia's foremost parasitologist
.
from 1901 to 1908 until she was offered a position in the university faculty. She lectured in both biology and parasitology and bore a heavy workload due to the periodic absence of the faculties professors . She became second-in-charge of the biology school when Thomas Sergeant Hall
died in 1915, and served as November 1916 to March 1917 she was Australia's first female acting professor when Baldwin Spencer took leave. She was encouraged to apply to take his position permanently, but was not successful with the position going to W. E. Agar. She was promoted to associate-professor in 1920 and was the first woman to hold such a senior academic position at the university; however due to stress and over-work she had to apply for sick leave in 1921, she worked part-time from 1924 and retired in 1926.
After leaving teaching Sweet continued to be involved in university life. She was active in the Graduates' Association and was involved in the provisional council for the establishment of the University Women's College for 20 years. The first stone of the Georgina Sweet wing was laid in 1936 and in the following year the first nondenominational hall of residence affiliated with the University opened. In 1936 she was the first woman elected to the University Council.
, 1927–1934; vice-president of the world YWCA from 1934; she was also foundation member of the Victorian Women Graduates' Association and in 1930 became the first president of the Pan-Pacific Women's Association.
Sweet enjoyed travel and made a journey overland from Cape Town to Cairo with Australian historian Jessie Stobo Watson Webb in 1922. She also traveled widely in Asia. When she died in 1946 she willed her estate to the Methodist church, the university and other charitable organisations. Some of her bequest to the University was used to establish the Georgina Sweet Bursary which provides funds to a student of sufficient academic merit who is in special need of financial assistance.
Sweet was appointed Officer of The Order of the British Empire
on 3 June 1935, for services to women's movements. The Australian Federation of University Women offers an annual scholarship for Australian women undertaking postgraduate studies named in her honour.
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
from the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, and was the first female acting professor in an Australian university.
Early life and education
Sweet was born into a Methodist family Brunswick, VictoriaBrunswick, Victoria
Brunswick is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland...
; her father George Sweet was an amateur geologist and encouraged both his daughters to enter tertiary education. Sweet attended the Parkville Ladies' College, then went on to the University of Melbourne where she completed her BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1896 and her MSc in 1898. Her early research was supervised by Baldwin Spencer
Baldwin Spencer
Winston Baldwin Spencer is the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. He has been Prime Minister since March 24, 2004, when his party, the United Progressive Party , which he had led as the opposition party for several years, won a parliamentary election...
and was on Australian fauna
Fauna of Australia
The fauna of Australia consists of a huge variety of animals; some 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 90% of fish and insects and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia...
, but her later studies were based in the veterinary department working on parasites. She was awarded her DSc in 1904 for her study of Notoryctes - the marsupial mole; she was the first woman to take out a Doctor of Science at the University. Her work on parasites in Australian native animals and stock led to the award of the David Syme Research Prize
David Syme Research Prize
The David Syme Research Prize is an annual award administered by the University of Melbourne for the best original research work in biology, physics, chemistry or geology, produced in Australia during the preceding two years, particular preference is given to original research to enhance industrial...
in 1911, she was the first female recipient of the prize and she received a reputation as Australia's foremost parasitologist
Parasitology
Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question, but by their way of life...
.
University career
Sweet was taught biology in high schools while studying; she was employed by the University from 1898 when she began work as a demonstrator, she lectured at Queen's CollegeQueen's College (University of Melbourne)
Queen's College is a residential College affiliated with the University of Melbourne providing accommodation to 220 students who are attending the University of Melbourne, Victorian College of the Arts, RMIT University and Monash University's Victorian College of Pharmacy.In addition to the...
from 1901 to 1908 until she was offered a position in the university faculty. She lectured in both biology and parasitology and bore a heavy workload due to the periodic absence of the faculties professors . She became second-in-charge of the biology school when Thomas Sergeant Hall
Thomas Sergeant Hall
Thomas Sergeant Hall was an Australian geologist and biologist, recipient of The Murchison Fund in 1901.-Early life:...
died in 1915, and served as November 1916 to March 1917 she was Australia's first female acting professor when Baldwin Spencer took leave. She was encouraged to apply to take his position permanently, but was not successful with the position going to W. E. Agar. She was promoted to associate-professor in 1920 and was the first woman to hold such a senior academic position at the university; however due to stress and over-work she had to apply for sick leave in 1921, she worked part-time from 1924 and retired in 1926.
After leaving teaching Sweet continued to be involved in university life. She was active in the Graduates' Association and was involved in the provisional council for the establishment of the University Women's College for 20 years. The first stone of the Georgina Sweet wing was laid in 1936 and in the following year the first nondenominational hall of residence affiliated with the University opened. In 1936 she was the first woman elected to the University Council.
Women's rights advocate
Sweet was a vigorous supporter of women's rights. She campaigned to have women on the University Senate and outside university her interests involved participation in national and international bodies promoting women's rights. Sweet was Australian president of the Young Women's Christian AssociationYoung Women's Christian Association
Young Women's Christian Association or YWCA or YWCA Building or Old YWCA Building or variations may refer to:*World YWCA, the organization formerly known as Young Women's Christian Associationor it may refer to:...
, 1927–1934; vice-president of the world YWCA from 1934; she was also foundation member of the Victorian Women Graduates' Association and in 1930 became the first president of the Pan-Pacific Women's Association.
Sweet enjoyed travel and made a journey overland from Cape Town to Cairo with Australian historian Jessie Stobo Watson Webb in 1922. She also traveled widely in Asia. When she died in 1946 she willed her estate to the Methodist church, the university and other charitable organisations. Some of her bequest to the University was used to establish the Georgina Sweet Bursary which provides funds to a student of sufficient academic merit who is in special need of financial assistance.
Sweet was appointed Officer of The Order of the British Empire
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...
on 3 June 1935, for services to women's movements. The Australian Federation of University Women offers an annual scholarship for Australian women undertaking postgraduate studies named in her honour.