Obituaries Australia

Alexandra Hasluck, by Pat Barblett, 1986 (detail)

National Library of Australia, 10909261

Dame Alexandra Hasluck died in Perth in Western Australia yesterday, aged 84.

Her health had been declining for several years.

Dame Alexandra was the widow of Sir Paul Hasluck, the former Governor-General and minister in the Menzies Government in the 1950s and 1960s. Sir Paul Hasluck died in Perth in January.

Dame Alexandra was born in 1908, the daughter of John Darker, a civil engineer and Evelyn Darker (nee Hill), who was one of the first women graduates of the University of Sydney.

The young Alexandra was educated at Perth College and the University of Western Australia, graduating in 1929.

After graduation she taught in Perth private schools and was one of the foundation staff of St Hilda's School, one of Western Australia's top academic girls' schools.

Dame Alexandra was the author of 11 books on various aspects of Australian social history, a book of short stories and an autobiography.

In recognition of her public service she was created a Dame of the Order of Australia in 1978 and became Dame of Grace in the Order of St John in 1971.

She is survived by her second son, Nicholas, and by four grandchildren.