GOURLEY, Miss Ellen OBE

Miss Ellen Jane Gourley J.P.O.B.E.
Ellen Jane Gourley was born in Shepherds Flat in 1878 to Gilbert & Ann Jane Coute.
She was one of seven children, Ellen being the second youngest.
It was reported that she was the first women in the Ballarat & district to secure an electoral right in April 1909.
In 1928 she was appointed to become a special magistrate in the children’s court for Ballarat & District.
In 1943 she was secretary of the Ballarat Branch National Council for Women where she campaigned strongly for a full-time policewoman in Ballarat which was rejected by council.
In 1964 she was awarded her O.B.E. (Order of British Empire) for services to Women and Children.
Ellen Jane Gourley died 26th Dec 1974.

Ellen is buried in the Ballarat New Cemetery Hill Block Section 8 Grave 7