Gladys Dodson

Awarded for service to the Community

Born: 1920

Entered on roll: 2005

Great integrity, quiet wisdom, and a ‘no-nonsense’ approach – all contribute to the essence of ‘Glad’. Glad’s contribution to the work of the NCWT over the last four decades has been at the highest level and distinguished by her outstanding competency and dedication. (Eris Smyth, National Council of Women)

Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Gladys Dodson arrived in Australia at the age of 11. She attended Hobart High School and in 1941 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tasmania. She married in 1943 and had four children, two sons and two daughters.

Gladys joined the Australian Federation of University Women (AFUW) in Launceston in 1959 and went on to serve in a range of committee positions including President, Secretary, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor. She represented the AFUW on the Jane Franklin Hall Council for nine years and served as Secretary to the Federal Council from 1988-1991. Her service was recognised with a Life Membership in 1986.

Gladys was a delegate to the National Council of Women Tasmania (NCWT) in 1966, becoming an Executive Committee Member in 1967 as Convenor for the Trades and Professions. This was the first of many roles she would occupy in NCWT. She served as an office holder continuously through the intervening years, as President from 1974-77, Secretary 1982-86, and Minutes Secretary from 1996 to the present day. Gladys has attended many national conferences of the NCW Australia and was made a Life Member in 1980.

Gladys undertook much of the research, and was the editor of the History of the NCWT published to mark the centenary of its foundation in May 1999.

Her other community involvements have included being a foundation member of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust, a member of the Australian Plants Society, the Hamilton Literary Society, and the Montagu Bay Primary School Parents and Friends Association.