Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to pay tribute to one of Tasmania's most notable educators and advocates for women's rights, Mollie Campbell-Smith, who died on 7 July at the age of 98. Mrs Campbell-Smith was educated in Devonport and Launceston before attending the University of Melbourne, where she graduated with a bachelor of science. She then graduated with a diploma of education from the University of Tasmania. She became the senior science teacher at the Methodist Ladies' College in Launceston in the early 1950s and continued to teach and mentor at the school until her retirement in 1986.

With Launceston doctor John Morris, Mrs Campbell-Smith produced a secondary school education program on relationships and sex education, which, in the late 1960s, was used throughout the Tasmanian state system. She was also a director and life member of the American Field Service, Governor of the Tasmanian Community Foundation, and a committee member of the Northern Regional Suicide Prevention Group and the Tasmania Dementia Care Group. She also served as State Commissioner of the Girl Guides in the 1980s and was President of the Australian Federation of University Women.

Amongst many honours bestowed during a busy and productive life, Mrs Campbell-Smith was awarded a Member of the British Empire Medal in 1986 and an Order of Australia Medal in 2008. She is survived by five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I express my sincere condolences to her family and friends.

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