Enid Lyons

She married Joseph Lyons, an upcoming politician, in April 1915. She was 17 and Joseph 35 at the time of their marriage. They had 12 children, of who one died of an illness in infancy. She was a devoted wife and dedicated mother in addition to her hectic political responsibilities.

During her later years she suffered from a slew of health problems like cancer and a thyroid issue. She remained active throughout her life despite her ill health and died on 2 September 1981, at the age of 84.

She was born as Enid Muriel Burnell in Smithton, Tasmania, on 9 July 1897 as the daughter of William and Eliza Burnell. She had two sisters. Her mother, an independent minded and ambitious woman, was an activist in Labor and community groups in Tasmania.

Her mother wanted all her daughters to get a good education and embark on professional careers. Young Enid inherited her mother’s industriousness and ambitions. After receiving her primary education from Burnie State School, she went to the Teacher's Training College and became a professional teacher.

Enid was also trained in elocution and blossomed into an eloquent speaker.

Enid married early. She was introduced to a man named Joseph Lyons, a rising Tasmanian Labor politician, while still a teenager. Lyons was much impressed by the bold and ambitious young woman and proposed marriage to her. The couple wed in 1915 when Enid was just 17.

Her husband’s political career flourished over the years. Their family also grew at a fast pace and several children were born to the couple. Enid Lyons proved herself to be a very hardworking wife and mother, taking care of all the family responsibilities while her husband focused on his career.

In addition to her familial responsibilities, she also played an active role in her husband’s career. She was instrumental in the Tasmanian election campaigns in 1922, and made speeches to women on topics of relevance to them. Joseph Lyons became premier in 1923.

A few years later, her husband moved to the House of Representatives in 1929, and she began taking more interest in his political career and thoroughly supported his ambitions.

With her support he broke away from the Australian Labor Party in 1931 and became involved with the United Australia Party. Joseph reached the peak of his career in 1932 when he became the Prime Minister of Australia.

A highly industrious and ambitious woman, Enid Lyons is best remembered for becoming the first woman to be elected to the Australian House of Representatives when she won the Division of Darwin in north-western Tasmania for the UAP at the 1943 election.