Adelaide, Light Square / Bronze statue of Catherine Helen Spence the writer, social reformer, political activist and preacher. South Australia
Catherine Helen Spence migrated from Scotland with her family in 1839.
Opposing the strictures placed on women during her lifetime, she won recognition as a writer, journalist, social reformer, political activist and preacher.
Spence was particularly concerned about the education and welfare of children. In 1872 she and Caroline Emily Clark established and ran the Boarding-Out Society for orphaned, destitute and reformed delinquent children committed to the Industrial School. In 1880 she wrote the first South Australian social studies textbook for schools. Spence participated in the work of the State Children’s Council and became a member of the East Torrens School Board.
She also worked for welfare of women.
Her statue is the work of Lithuanian sculptor Ieva Pocius, who migrated to Australia in 1950 and studied at the South Australian School of Art.
The bronze sculpture was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 10 March 1986, commemorating 150 years of European settlement in South Australia.
Adelaide, Light Square / Bronze statue of Catherine Helen Spence the writer, social reformer, political activist and preacher. South Australia
Catherine Helen Spence migrated from Scotland with her family in 1839.
Opposing the strictures placed on women during her lifetime, she won recognition as a writer, journalist, social reformer, political activist and preacher.
Spence was particularly concerned about the education and welfare of children. In 1872 she and Caroline Emily Clark established and ran the Boarding-Out Society for orphaned, destitute and reformed delinquent children committed to the Industrial School. In 1880 she wrote the first South Australian social studies textbook for schools. Spence participated in the work of the State Children’s Council and became a member of the East Torrens School Board.
She also worked for welfare of women.
Her statue is the work of Lithuanian sculptor Ieva Pocius, who migrated to Australia in 1950 and studied at the South Australian School of Art.
The bronze sculpture was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 10 March 1986, commemorating 150 years of European settlement in South Australia.