Elizabeth Burgess - Master Of Arts Thesis

Elizabeth Lashbrooke Burgess (1901-1995) was born in Claremont.

Attended Methodist Ladies College where in 1914 passed Junior Examinations in five subjects (English, French, Mathematics, History and Biology). Two years later, in 1916, passed leaving examinations in the same five subjects with three distinctions (English, French and History). The examination results meant Elizabeth was successful in matriculation, and qualified for entrance into both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.

Awarded an Education Department University Exhibition in 1917 of £40-£70 per annum for having the highest examination results in English and History.

While at the University of Western Australia was awarded the Book Prize for her success in the 1919 Alliance Francais Division 1 examinations. Conferred with a Bachelor Of Arts Degree in April 1921.

In 1923, was appointed to Bunbury High School immediately after completing training at Claremont Teachers College.

Appointed sports mistress in 1926, a role that had previously been shared by several teachers including the First Mistress Chrystabell Stephens.

In April 1930 was conferred with a Master Of Arts Degree by the Chancellor of the University of Western Australia. The thesis for the degree, Australind. An Attempt At Settlement In Western Australia, was published in the proceedings of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, Volume XVIII).

After teaching at Bunbury High for 33 years, transferred to John Curtin Senior High 1956 where she was Principal Mistress until 1963.