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Helen Whitten Fraser (1921–2012)

by Graham Downie

from Canberra Times

Helen Fraser, by Anna Smith, 1959

Helen Fraser, by Anna Smith, 1959

photo supplied by Andrew Fraser

Helen Fraser, the wife of one of Canberra’s best loved politicians, Jim Fraser, died peacefully in Canberra on Sunday, aged 91.

Mrs Fraser was born in Glen Innes, NSW, in 1921. Remembered by her family as a quiet country girl, she adapted to life in Canberra, frequently at functions beside then prime minister Sir Robert Menzies.

At a Government House function with the Queen, Mrs Fraser had the honour, or task, of cracking the creme brulee. Seen to be hesitating, she was helped by an attendant who offered, "A sharp wrap with the spoon, madam." The blow was administered with complete success.

As a young woman, Mrs Fraser worked in her father’s news agency in Glen Innes. After he and his brother died, Mrs Fraser managed the business until telephoned by then chair of the news agents’ board, Rupert Albert Geary (Rags) Henderson, who wanted to know who was running the business. She told him she was running it and very well too. But the board soon had the news agency sold because it was being run by a woman.

Jim Fraser, member for the ACT from 1951-70 (when he died in office), went to Glen Innes as a journalist for the Glen Innes Examiner. The electorate of Fraser is named after him. He and Mrs Fraser met on the tennis court when she was 16 and he 29. The courtship lasted 22 years before they were married in Brisbane in 1959.

For the next 11 years, Mrs Fraser accompanied her husband to numerous events, often representing the leader of the Opposition. During that time she met the Queen and then US president Lyndon Johnson. As regional commissioner for Girl Guides she drove Lady Baden Powell around Canberra.

Mrs Fraser was patron of numerous sporting groups.

From 1970 until retirement she worked for the National Library. She loved books and in retirement worked voluntarily at St Mark’s library.

In recognition of her community service she was made a Member of the British Empire in 1970.

The funeral for Mrs Fraser will be on Friday at 10.30am at St Paul’s Anglican Church Manuka.

She is survived by her son, Andrew, daughter-in-law Catriona Jackson and four grandchildren.

Original publication

Other Obituaries for Helen Whitten Fraser

Citation details

Graham Downie, 'Fraser, Helen Whitten (1921–2012)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/fraser-helen-whitten-14663/text25802, accessed 22 January 2025.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2025

Helen Fraser, by Anna Smith, 1959

Helen Fraser, by Anna Smith, 1959

photo supplied by Andrew Fraser

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Rowland, Helen Whitten
Birth

1921
Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia

Death

4 March, 2012 (aged ~ 91)
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.

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