Graduate House — The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne

Caroline Chisholm burst into the monthly luncheon in February and commenced a spirited discourse about her outstanding life of service.  Mrs Chisholm was a progressive 19^th-century woman who, seeing a need in society, set out to meet that need.  It is easy to see why she appeared for many years on the Australian $5 note. Although her good deeds were not confined to Australia, she is known mostly for her involvement with female immigrant welfare in Australia’s early days. When still a child, her father took a maimed soldier into his house, pointing out to his children their obligations to the man who had fought for them. There is little doubt this led to the sense of responsibility that was the basis of Mrs Chisholm’s life work.

Wilma Farrow, aka Caroline Chisholm, is a great admirer of women who have made a difference and she is determined they will not be forgotten. Wilma is a frustrated Shakespearean actress whose dreams of a career on the stage ended with the birth of her children.  However, she is now using her dramatic talents to play feisty women of renown, such as Caroline Chisholm and Vida Goldstein.  She has lately added Louisa Lawson, Henry’s mother, to her repertoire.  At the request of the guests attending, who were both educated and entertained by her performance, Wilma has been invited to introduce Louisa Lawson to the Graduate Union later this year – probably at the  November luncheon.  Stay tuned!

Owing to large file size, the video may take a few minutes to load depending on the speed of your Internet connection. You can also check out our You Tube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/GraduateHouse