Rita May Wilson Harris
Australian community worker (1888–1975)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rita May Wilson Harris OBE (1888–1975) was an Australian community worker .[1][2][3][4]
Rita May Wilson Harris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 January 1888 Brighton, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 21 July 1975 (aged 87) Brighton, Melbourne |
| Occupation | Community worker |
| Spouse |
Norman Charles Harris
(m. 1912; died 1963) |
Early life
She was born at Brighton Beach, Melbourne, on 24 January 1888, the elder daughter of Victorian-born Alice Frances Mabel, née Wilson and Isidore Henry Moss.
The May Wilson family had to experience a seven-year drought at Dubbo, New South Wales, and as a result, the entire family moved to Melbourne.[1][2] Harris went to Presbyterian Ladies’ College and worked at Carlton Free Kindergarten as a voluntary helper.[1][2][3] Rita May married Norman Charles Harris on 10 April 1912 at the Presbyterian Church, Armadale.[1][2][3] During World War II, Harrises kept open house on weekends, and numerous serviceman were entertained there with large tennis parties.[1][2]
Committee and organizations
Harris was a committee member and the secretary of Collingwood Crèche-Kindergarten, a life governor and a president of Keele Street Kindergarten.[1][2][3][5] In 1955, Keele Street Kindergarten became Rita May Harris Free Kindergarten.[1][2] Harris was the executive member, chairman of Finance committee and Vice President of the Free Kindergarten Union.[1][2] To recycle and save waste materials, Harris started the Silver Door auxiliary in her leadership at 1939.[1][5]
As a result of Harris work at Victoria towards Kindergarten Union, she became the Honorary Vice President of F.K.U. (Free Kindergarten Union) in 1950.[1][2][6] Harris was also the President, Vice President, and received O.B.E at Melbourne Women's Hospital; and the outpatient's department of Royal Women's Hospital became Rita Harris Wing in 1958.[1][2][3][7][8]
After Harris's retirement in 1950, she was involved with the Melbourne Legacy Club and raised money for the Legacy club and Red Cross.[1][2][3] Predeceased by the death of Norman Charles Harris on 1963, Rita May Harries died at Middle Brighton on 21 July 1975.[1][2][3][4]