Beryl Edith Beaurepaire

Determined to revolutionize unreasonable existing systems, improved, and enhanced the world to make it a better place, believed in equal rights and justice, and contributed to community life. Made her voice heard. These are just some of the qualities Beryl Beaurepaire possessed. She led a fulfilling, interesting, satisfying and productive life.

Beryl was a pioneer, feminist, she was involved in charity work, and the women's organizations of the Liberal Party. She was born on the 24th of September, 1923 in Camberwell, Victoria, to a mother, Vera Craigie, and father, Ted Beaurepaire. She completed her schooling years in Balwyn, Victoria at a school called Fintona Girl's School. She was a rebellious child, always sticking up for herself, and what she believed in. Beryl went to a university in Melbourne and took up science.

Beryl Beaurepaire

Shortly after, in 1942, she became a meteorological officer with the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, but discrimination against Beryl’s gender was the reason she was overlooked at previous jobs. In 1946, Beryl married Ian Francis Beaurepaire, and had two twin boys, and from that time on, she did charity work, was the chairman at federal women's committee and was one of the most persuasive people at the liberal party. She was a member of the Australian Children's Television Foundation Board, and is a patron to a number of community organizations. But sex discrimination is only one of the issues Beryl fought against in her time.

A hero is stereotyped as someone who flies through the air and saves a screaming lady from a green, city stopping monster. However, a hero can be someone as ordinary as Beryl Beaurepaire. One reason I see Beryl as a true, Australian hero is because of her qualities. She was a humble, thoughtful, compassionate, self sacrificing, gentle and caring person. Also, for everything she has given to Australia. Especially, all the work she has done for the women. Beryl is an Australian Iconic figure; it is because of her, women all over the world have equal rights and opportunities.

She represents something that I want to be; changing the world to make it a better place, and standing up for what I believe in. Beryl did numerous things for the society such as: being appointed as a member of the British Empire, Vice-President of the Victorian Division Liberal Party, Commissioned Assistant Section Officer, Head of Federal Party, women’s section, Board member of the Victorian 150th Authority and many, many more.

I also see Beryl as a hero because of all she had to overcome. It was a difficult journey, being an Australian feminist. But she was not only interested in her own thoughts, but the thoughts of all other Australian women, asking what kind of council they would want. Beryl travelled all over Australia seeking the voices and opinions of her fellow women. She then put their wishes and theories into action. Also, when the women’s advisory council was established, Beryl was the convener for two terms, putting aside her other work, and helping these women out.

In Beryl’s work for Australia, she showed that not only can she be capable, influential and intelligent, but it is possible for the women of Australia to be, also. Beryl even has biographies written about her to commemorate her successful life. I admire Beryl, not only because of all these things that she has done for women, but using her power in the liberal party, to change, for the better, other problems in the society. Such as domestic violence, political rights and many more.I can truly idolize Beryl, because not only did she change the future for millions of other women in the past, but she changed it for me, and still, many others to come.

THAT is a true hero.