Gwendolen Helen Ure

Gwendolen Helen Ure was born on 11 January 1901 at Norwood.[1]

While studying for a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide, Gwendolen won the Stow Prize every year of her studies, and was thus the first woman awarded Stow Scholar.[2]  In 1923 Gwendolen completed her degree and was admitted to the Bar in 1924.[3] 

On 27 March 1927, Gwendolen married James McCarthy.[4] 

Gwendolen joined the Adelaide Lyceum Club in 1923 and was its President from 1967 to 1969.[5]  She was also on the University of Adelaide's Sports Association General Committee from 1923 to 1924.[6]

After her husband's death, McCarthy returned to Adelaide and joined the firm of Thompson, Cleland, Holland and McCarthy.[7] 

On the 23 of September, 1980 Gwendolen passed away.[8] 

Footnotes:

1. South Australian Register 1901 ‘Special notice’, South Australian Register, 14 January, p.4, viewed 9 November 2022 <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/54554059>. 

2. Registrar’s Department (1924) ‘Ure, Gwendolen Helen’ [student card]. University of Adelaide, University Archives, Series 1117.

3. The Advertiser 1924, ‘Last day of law term’ The Advertiser, 28 April, p. 11, viewed 9 November 2022, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/73412414>.

4. Chronicle 1944, ‘Solicitor changes name’ Chronicle, 2 March, p. 25, viewed 11 November 2022, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92710954>.

5. History of the Adelaide Lyceum Club. 1972, Lyceum Club, Adelaide, Adelaide.

6. Sports Association General Committee. (1923 - 1924) Photographs of University and Intervarsity sports teams - Adelaide University Sports Association - 1890 -1998, University of Adelaide. University Archives, Series 524, Item 344.

7. Heywood, A 2019, 'McCarthy, Gwendolen (Gwen) Helen (1901 - 1980)', The Australian Women's Register, Australian Women's Archives Program, viewed 20 December 2022, <https://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0847b.htm>.

8. Heywood, A 2019, 'Gwendolen (Gwen) Helen McCarthy', Australian Women Lawyers as Active Citizens, Australian Women's Archives Project, viewed 1 December 2022, <https://www.womenaustralia.info/lawyers/biogs/AWE0847b.htm>. 

Image: 

Sports Association General Committee, 1923-24. University of Adelaide. University Archives, Series 524, Item 344.