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Edith Dircksey Cowan Memorial

The Edith Dircksey Cowan Memorial, formerly known as the Edith Cowan Clock Memorial, stands at the entrance to Kings Park in Perth, Western Australia. It commemorates Edith Cowan (1861–1932), the first woman in Australia elected to parliament, in 1921. Cowan was a social reformer and an advocate for children’s and women’s rights, and her work made her widely known in Australia. The memorial is about 6 metres high and built from regional limestone in an Art Deco clock-tower style. It features a bronze plaque with Edith Cowan’s portrait, another plaque with text, and a clock on each side of the tower. It was unveiled by Lieutenant Governor James Mitchell on 9 June 1934.

Edith Cowan Memorial stone clock tower with a bronze bust and plaque.
The Edith Cowan Memorial in Perth, featuring a stone clock tower, bronze bust, and commemorative plaque.
© · Public domain
The Edith Cowan Memorial with a light-colored clock tower, domed cap, and surrounding pillars.
The Edith Cowan Memorial appears as a light-colored clock tower with multiple clock faces and a domed top.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Edith Cowan Memorial clock tower framed by trees against a blue sky.
The Edith Cowan Memorial stands among trees near the entrance to Kings Park.
May 2018 © · CC BY 2.5 au
Edith Cowan Memorial relief bust set in a light stone structure with a circular frame and decorative draped element below.
A dark relief bust on the Edith Cowan Memorial, framed in a circular border and set into light stone.
© · Public domain
Bronze plaque on the Edith Cowan Memorial mounted on a light stone wall.
Bronze commemorative plaque on the Edith Cowan Memorial in Perth, Western Australia.
© · Public domain

Identification

TitleEdith Dircksey Cowan Memorial
Former nameEdith Cowan Clock Memorial
TypeMemorial monument

Historical context

PurposeMemorial to Edith Cowan
Honoree significanceFirst woman elected to a parliament in Australia, in 1921
Honoree occupationSocial reformer, children's rights activist, and women's rights activist
Commemorated personEdith Cowan (1861–1932)

Creator

DesignersHarold Boas and Henry Atwell
Designer rolesHarold Boas was a prominent Perth architect; Henry Atwell was city engineer
Sculptor of portraitMargaret Johnson of Mount Hawthorn

Discovery and provenance

Design approvalApproved by the Edith Cowan Memorial Committee in February 1933
Construction contractorW. Ogilvy
Published designA sketch of the design was published in The West Australian
Initial memorial proposals consideredEdith Cowan Ward at King Edward Memorial Hospital; a model baby health centre; an honour drive in Kings Park; a pathway in the Parliament House grounds; an archway at the entrance gates of Kings Park
Site approvalApproved by the Perth City Council in December 1932
Original proposed locationKings Park; a safety zone in the middle of Kings Park Circus was eventually selected
Planning committeeEdith Cowan Memorial Committee
Fundraising bodyEdith Cowan Memorial Committee

History and restoration

Public controversyProtests were lodged by the Kings Park Board, the Royal Institute of Architects, and the Town Planning Institute
Significance of refusalThe refusal of the proposed archway site was taken as implying that Edith Cowan was not considered a person of national significance
InterpretationThe debate has been viewed as representative of gender bias operating at the time
Historic significanceThe memorial was the subject of public debate and protests, including objections that the site should be reserved for a memorial of national significance and arguments about whether a woman should be memorialised in such a form
Legal challengeTown Planning Commissioner David Lomas Davidson sought an injunction against construction in the Supreme Court, but it was refused
Rededication date12 March 1996
Later alterations to surroundingsAfter 1974 the traffic island was enlarged, the pylons were removed, and the platform was replaced by lawn
Rededication occasion75th anniversary of Cowan's election to parliament
Unveiling occasionSecond anniversary of Edith Cowan's death
Unveiled byLieutenant-Governor James Mitchell
Unveiling date9 June 1934
Construction start dateMay 1934

Physical characteristics

Depicted personCowan
FeaturesBronze plaque with Edith Cowan's full-face portrait, plaque with an inscription, and a working clock on each side of the tower
Bust designA bust in relief with a wreath of gum leaves and nuts
Chosen formMonument
FormClock tower
HeightAbout 6 meters; the fragment also notes that the exact measurement is not given
LocationTop of a hill on a traffic island at the junction of Kings Park Road, Malcolm Street and Fraser Avenue, immediately opposite the main entrance to Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Materials

MaterialRegional limestone
MaterialDonnybrook freestone

Style

StyleInterwar Art Deco

Location and ownership

Current locationKings Park, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Original locationSafety zone in the middle of Kings Park Circus, originally described as a raised circular platform surrounded by pylons
Current conditionConsidered to be in good condition

Significance

Historical significanceFirst memorial erected in Australia for a female civilian