An occasion to remember
The first woman to address Federal Parliament as a Member of the House was a logical choice to help launch NSA.
Celebrating 50 Years, 50 Lives
In the lead-up to National Seniors Australia's 50th anniversary in 2026, Connect is sharing the stories of 50 people who have made contributions to the organisation over those years.
Dame Enid Lyons was no stranger to history-making moments when she stepped forward to speak as the invited guest at an auspicious function in Brisbane in 1976.
As the widow of a well-loved prime minister, and more importantly, the first woman to be elected a Member of the House of Representatives, she had spent much of her life in the public gaze.
She remained influential in political and social circles long after leaving office, including an 11-year stint on the board of the ABC, and her endorsement was keenly sought after by other organisations.
She was the perfect fit for the fledgling organisation now known as National Seniors Australia.
NSA co-founder Everald Compton recently recalled Dame Enid’s involvement at the launch of what was then called Later Years.
“We’d spent a year getting it organised and we launched it at the Park Royal Hotel [in Brisbane] and our guest of honour was Dame Enid Lyons.
“She was the wife of Sir Joseph Lyons, the prime minister in the 1930s, but she became a Member of Parliament in her own right after Joe died and she was the first woman to get in the Cabinet.”
Indeed, Dame Enid, who was born near Smithton, Tasmania in 1897, was first elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Darwin (a seat based around Burnie in Tasmania, not the Northern Territory capital) in August 1943.
Also elected at that time was Senator Dorothy Tangney, and they share the distinction of being the first women in Federal Parliament.
Dame Enid remained in the House of Representatives until 1951, the last 16 months as vice president of the Executive Council under Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies.
Prior to that, she had ably supported her husband, Sir Joseph, who was 17 years her senior, when he was Premier of Tasmania from 1923-28 and Prime Minister from 1932-39.
Sir Joseph died in office in 1939 to be succeeded, briefly, by Earle Page and then Sir Robert Menzies.
It’s reported that there were tears in the House of Representatives when Dame Enid made her maiden speech on 29 September 1943.
She said, “This is the first occasion upon which a woman has addressed this House. For that reason, it is an occasion which, for every woman in the Commonwealth, marks in some degree a turning point in history.
“I am well aware that as I acquit myself in the work that I have undertaken for the next three years, so shall I either prejudice or enhance the prospects of those women who may wish to follow me in public service in the years to come.”
After leaving office, Dame Enid promoted and advanced many good causes, including her key role in the formation of NSA.
Related reading: Wikipedia 1, Wikipedia 2, Future Women
With age comes wisdom and the more years lived means more experience gained. At every stage of our life, whether we’re benefiting from experience being shared or benefiting from sharing our experience, Experience Matters.
