Quotes by Catherine Helen Spence

About Catherine Helen Spence:

Catherine Helen Spence was a Scottish-born Australian author, teacher, journalist, politician and leading suffragist. In 1897 she became Australia's first female political candidate after standing (unsuccessfully) for the Federal Convention held in Adelaide. Called the "Greatest Australian Woman" by Miles Franklin and given the nomenclature of "Grand Old Woman of Australia' on her eightieth birthday, Spence was commemorated on the Australian five-dollar note issued for the Centenary of Federation of Australia.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I count myself well educated, for the admirable woman at the head of the school which I attended from the age of four and a half till I was thirteen and a half, was a born teacher in advance of her own times.

Catherine Helen Spence

My brothers went to the parish school, one of the best in the county.

Catherine Helen Spence

Probably my mother's life was prolonged beyond that of a long-lived family by her coming to Australia in middle life; and if I ever had any tendency to consumption, the climate must have helped me.

Catherine Helen Spence

I think I was well brought up, for my father and mother were of one mind regarding the care of the family.

Catherine Helen Spence

After the break up of the municipality and the loss of his income my father lost health and spirits.

Catherine Helen Spence

Nothing is insignificant in the history of a young community, and - above all - nothing seems impossible.

Catherine Helen Spence

I had learned what wealth was, and a great deal about production and exchange for myself in the early history of South Australia - of the value of machinery, of roads and bridges, and of ports for transport and export.

Catherine Helen Spence

I had only two offers of marriage in my life, and I refused both.

Catherine Helen Spence

As we grew to love South Australia, we felt that we were in an expanding society, still feeling the bond to the motherland, but eager to develop a perfect society, in the land of our adoption.

Catherine Helen Spence

The Town Clerkship, however, was the means of giving me a lesson in electoral methods.

Catherine Helen Spence

The first issue of The Register was printed in London, and gave a glowing account of the province that was to be - its climate, its resources, the sound principles on which it was founded.

Catherine Helen Spence

South Australia was the first community to give the secret ballot for political elections.

Catherine Helen Spence

Our South Australian farmers left their holdings in the hands of their wives and children too young to take with them, but almost all of them returned to grow grain and produce to send to Victoria.

Catherine Helen Spence

My pamphlet did not set the Torrens on fire.

Catherine Helen Spence

I look back to a happy childhood.

Catherine Helen Spence

I had seen Adelaide the dearest and the cheapest place to live in.

Catherine Helen Spence

Even before the discovery of copper South Australia had turned the corner.

Catherine Helen Spence

A glass of whisky in Scotland in the thirties cost less than a cup of tea.

Catherine Helen Spence

My return to London introduced me to a wider range of society.

Catherine Helen Spence

Drinking habits were very prevalent among men, and were not in any way disgraceful, unless excessive.

Catherine Helen Spence

Author Bio

  • NameCatherine Helen Spence
  • DescriptionScottish-born Australian author, teacher, journalist, politician and suffragist
  • AliasesCatherine Helen Spence
  • BornOctober 31, 1825
  • DiedApril 3, 1910
  • CountryAustralia
  • ProfessionJournalist; Autobiographer; Novelist; Critic; Feminist