Gwen Evelyn Hamilton Fulton

Gwen Evelyn Hamilton Fulton joined the Adelaide Teachers College as a student in 1930, aged seventeen.  She entered the College with five Leaving Honours subjects (Matriculation equivalent) and one University subject to undertake a two-year course in teaching.  The prospect of a teaching career, a free University education, and a student allowance of £40 per year was strongly appealing to Miss Fulton, especially as the impact of The Depression was being acutely felt at this time.[1]   

At Adelaide Teachers College, her first year course consisted of four University subjects, lectures on teaching method, physical education, and teaching practice in schools.  She describes how “Each Wednesday morning was spent in observation and teaching in special Demonstration Schools, where trainee teachers watched some excellent teachers in action, then participated in “criticism lessons”.  These consisted of one student giving a lesson to a class watched by the Master of Method, the class-teacher, several members of the College staff, and 20-30 other students of his own group, all of whom had the “duty” of criticising the performance of the student teacher.”[2]

During her time as a student, Miss Fulton was College Vice-President and an avid hockey player[3].  She was Captain of the Women’s Hockey team in 1932, and in 1933 she was Sub-Editor of the Adelaide Teachers College Magazine.  In her memoir, Miss Fulton describes college life as being strong and good fellowship compensated for any lack of material welfare: “Social functions at the college were numerous and well attended.  In fact for practically every “do” the organisers confidently expected that at least 90% of the students would “roll up”, whether for debates, “Glee”-club nights, play productions, variety nights, etc.  Saturday night dances in the College hall (now the Library) were held regularly.  Entrance fee was a basket supper for the women and a small contribution by the men in aid of the particular club sponsoring the night.  A student band provided free music and gave us good and happy entertainment at the price we could all afford to pay.”[4] 

Miss Fulton passed her preliminary M.A. examinations in Latin in 1933, and in English in 1934, and completed her thesis, “Dryden and Virgil”.  In 1939, she was awarded her Master of Arts degree.  At this time Miss Fulton was a teacher at Port Pirie High School.[5]

In 1947, Miss Fulton resigned from her role as Head Mistress of the Naracoorte District High School, and returned to Adelaide Teachers College as a member of staff. [6]  She was appointed as the first College Librarian, and set about converting the library into a place of study.  Miss Fulton believed that the library should be available to teachers as well as students, and that it should provide a good range of books on professional work.[7]  In addition to her role as College Librarian, Miss Fulton was a Senior Lecturer, and she was appointed to the position of Women’s Warden of the Adelaide Teachers College in December 1954.[8]  As Women’s Warden, Miss Fulton was responsible for the welfare of women students at the college, supervising their activities and their studies.  She provided coaching to the College hockey teams, and contributed to the production of various College stage shows.  These included “Laburnum Grove” 1947 (Producer), “The Mikado” 1953 (Stage Manager), and “Arms and the Man” 1954 (Producer).

Gwen Fulton resigned from her position at Adelaide Teachers College in 1957 to be married.  Upon her resignation the Principal Dr. Penny remarked, “In each post her work had been marked by common-sense, abounding vitality and a sympathetic insight allied with firmness.”[9]

The Fulton Library was named in her honour.[10]

End Notes