Elizabeth Robson (Betty) Calvert (1909–1993)
Eighty four-year old Elizabeth "Betty" Calvert, MBE, died this week after a long illness.
Mrs Calvert was well-known in the ACT community, having arrived in Canberra after her marriage to Dr Patrick Calvert in 1953, and quickly becoming involved in a diverse number of community organisations.
She is well-remembered for her long-standing association with the Red Cross, of which she was made a life member in 1965, and her involvement with the ACT Liberal Party.
Mrs Calvert's most public moment with the Liberal Party was when she stood for preselection for the seat of the Australian Capital Territory and won, becoming the party's endorsed candidate in 1963.
She was an active member of the party, keenly interested in Canberra issues and described as a good member.
One of the first women to become a member of the Red Cross Field Service, Mrs Calvert was sent overseas and served in the Middle East and New Guinea during World War ll.
Fifty years of service with the Red Cross was celebrated in 1990 when Mrs Calvert was presented with the Australian Red Cross Laurel Wreath. She was also a member of the Royal Canberra Hospital board for several years.
She is survived by her son, Dr Allan Calvert, of Adelaide.
Original publication
Additional Resources
- Trove search
- is commandant of the Red Cross women's personnel in the Middle East, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 July 1942, p 5
- returns to Australia, Molong Express (NSW), 9 April 1943, p 11
- has been working with the Red Cross in New Guinea for the past seven months, Sydney Morning Herald, 15 April 1944, p 9
- is to help establish an Australian Red Cross unit in Italy, West Australian, 29 March 1945, p 8
- is appointed director of Junior Red Cross in New South Wales, West Australian, 13 February 1946, p 10
- is visiting Western Australia, West Australian, 20 September 1950, p 28
- marries Pat Calvert, Sunday Herald (Sydney), 20 September 1953, p 28
- is the Liberal Party's candidate in the coming federal election, Canberra Times, 9 November 1963, p 7
- photo, Canberra Times, 30 November 1963, p 20
- photo, Canberra Times, 2 December 1963, p 10
- is awarded honorary life membership of the Australian Red Cross, Canberra Times, 1 May 1965, p 7
- death notice, Canberra Times, 2 August 1993, p 22
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Calvert, Joseph Patrick (husband)
Citation details
'Calvert, Elizabeth Robson (Betty) (1909–1993)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/calvert-elizabeth-robson-betty-23069/text32341, accessed 9 October 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Larke, Elizabeth Robson
Birth
1909
Chatswood, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Death
31 July,
1993
(aged ~ 84)
Canberra,
Australian Capital Territory,
Australia
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.