Australian women educators’ internal exile and banishment in a centralised patriarchal state school system

This article explores Australian women teachers’ struggles for equality with men from the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century. While Australia purported be a progressive democratic nation, centralised patriarchal state school systems relied on teachers fulfil requirements of free, compulsory and secular schooling. study focuses South where were enfranchised in 1894, far ahead European countries. However, subjected internal exile system, banished by marriage bar. The begins construction system enforcement bar created differentiated profession many young single who taught prior marriage; few married required an income; cohort senior made teaching life-long career contested other forms subordination which all subject. Led latter group, pursued early twentieth century mixed unions post-suffrage women’s organisations; established Women Teachers Guild 1937 secure more equal conditions employment. paper concludes situation after World War Two when re admitted resolve teacher shortages; campaigns pay gathered momentum. In Australia, was eventually removed 1972.