Tamie Fraser AO  is the wife of Malcolm Fraser

Malcolm Fraser

John Malcolm Fraser AC, CH, GCL, PC is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. He came to power in the 1975 election following the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor government, in which he played a key role...

, who held office as Prime Minister of Australia

Prime Minister of Australia

The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...

 between 1975 and 1983.

Early life

Tamara Margaret Beggs grew up in western Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

, where her family (like Malcolm Fraser's) owned a grazing property. She attended Geelong Church of England Girls' Grammar School, The Hermitage.

Marriage

In 1956 she married Malcolm Fraser and the couple had four children. Tamie Fraser disliked public speaking and electioneering work, but when her husband fell ill during the crucial election campaign of December 1975

Australian federal election, 1975

Federal elections were held in Australia on 13 December 1975. All 127 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 64 seats in the Senate were up for election following a double dissolution of both Houses....

, after the dismissal of the Whitlam

Gough Whitlam

Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...

 government, she was required to represent him and speak on his behalf.

Community work

Fraser was president of the Australiana Fund

The Australiana Fund

The Australiana Fund is an independent fundraising organisation responsible for the purchase and maintenance of artworks in the four Official Residences of the Governor-General of Australia and the Prime Minister of Australia.- History :...

 from 1978 to 1983. She is President of Australia's Open Garden Scheme

Australia's Open Garden Scheme

Australia's Open Garden Scheme is a non-profit organisation that began in Victoria Australia in 1987. Its aim is to promote the knowledge and pleasure of gardens and gardening across Australia. Under the scheme, private gardens are opened for public viewing for one or two weekends a year. About 650...

. In 2004 she was made an Officer 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"...

 for her service to the community through fostering the recognition and preservation of Australian artistic achievement, for initiating and promoting a range of activities to support people with disabilities, and for support of charitable, health and service groups.

See also

• Spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia
  Spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia
  The spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia is a position that until 24 June 2010 was occupied exclusively by women, thus the spouse was often known as the Prime Minister's wife....