Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth) (1917-1979)

Also known as
Palmer, Helen Gwynneth (1917-1979)
Field of activity
Writer, Teacher and Political activist; air force officer; communist; magazine/journal editor; poet; schoolteacher; social historian
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35407002
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-514020

Biographies

PALMER, HELEN GWYNNETH (1917-1979), educationist, was born on 9 May 1917 at Kew, Melbourne, younger daughter of Edward Vivian ('Vance') Palmer and his wife Janet (Nettie) Gertrude, née Higgins, both Australian-born writers. Helen attended Presbyterian Ladies' College (dux 1934) and won a scholarship to the University of Melbourne (B.A. Hons, 1939; B.Ed., 1952), where she co-edited and wrote for Melbourne University Magazine. From 1940 she taught in state schools, first at Port Fairy and then at Terang. On 18 February 1942 she joined the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force. She served mainly in Melbourne, at the School of Administration and Air Force Headquarters. Rising to flight officer, she took charge of educational services for W.A.A.A.F. personnel. After being placed on the Retired List on 16 October 1946, she worked in Sydney, briefly for Edwards & Shaw, publishers, and later in the Commonwealth Office of Education. Returning to Melbourne in 1948, she taught in private schools and completed her second degree. In 1952 she joined the New South Wales Department of Education as a casual teacher.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

The second daughter of Vance and Nettie (née Higgins) Palmer, Helen Palmer spent a year in London after being educated at Presbyterian Ladies' College (Melbourne) where she was dux in 1934. Returning to Melbourne she won a scholarship to the University of Melbourne and graduated with a BA and DipEd in 1939. She later obtained a B.Ed (1952). From 1940 until 1942 she was a teacher in Victorian State schools. Helen Palmer enlisted in the Women's Australian Auxiliary Air Force on 18 February 1942 and during her service worked in the education division. After the war she worked with the Commonwealth Office of Education (Sydney). In 1948 she returned to Melbourne teaching in private schools. She made several trips to China and in 1953 published her observations in An Australian Teacher in China. Through the bi-monthly publication Outlook (1957-1970), Helen Palmer provided a forum for vigorous discussion of all issues which were part of a radical critique of Australian politics and society. The author (with Jessie MacLeod) of First Hundred Years (1954) and After the First Hundred Years (1961), she also authored books on Australian literature, popular culture and history. Helen Palmer was also a prominent poet and balladist and is remembered for 'The Ballard of 1891,' that describes the shearers' strike. Helen Palmer died on 6 May 1979.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Related people and organisations

Resources for Helen G. Palmer

Selected resources (35)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Australian Women's Register

  1. Beneath the Southern Cross
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [[1954]]
    Published: Cheshire
  2. Banjo' Paterson
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [[1966]]
    Published: Longmans
  3. W.G. Spence and the rise of the trade unions
    Palmer, Helen G. and MacLeod, Jessie
    [[1964]]
    Published: Longmans
  4. Makers of the first hundred years
    Palmer, Helen G. and MacLeod, Jessie
    [1956]
    Published: Longmans Green
  5. After the first hundred years
    Palmer, Helen G. and MacLeod, Jessie
    [[1961]]
    Published: Longmans
  6. Fencing Australia
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [[1961]]
    Published: Longmans
  7. Helen Palmer's outlook
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [1982]
    Published: Helen Palmer Memorial Committee
  8. The first hundred years
    Palmer, Helen G. and MacLeod, Jessie
    [1954]
    Published: Longman
  9. The first two hundred years
    Palmer, Helen G. and MacLeod, Jessie
    [1981]
    Published: Longman Cheshire
  10. Our sugar
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [1949]
    Published: Longmans Green
  11. [Conversation with Helen Palmer]
    Berg, Hazel de (interviewer)
    [1974]
  12. Palmer, Helen Gwynneth (1917-1979)Australian Dictionary of Biography Online 15 : Palmer, Helen Gwynneth (1917-1979)
    Gollan, Robin
    [2006]
    Published: Australian National University
    Series: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A150652b.htm
  13. Helen Palmer200 Australian Women Radi, Heather 232-233 : Helen Palmer
    Keene, Judith
    [1989]
    Published: Women's Redress Press Inc
  14. PALMER, HELEN GWYNNETHWorld War 2 Nominal Roll Department of Veterans' Affairs : PALMER, HELEN GWYNNETH
    Department of Veterans' Affairs
    [2002]
    Series: http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1070100
  15. 150 years, 150 stories : brief biographies of one hundred and fifty remarkable people associated with the University of Melbourne
    Flesch, Juliet and McPhee, Peter
    [2003]
    Published: Department of History, University of Melbourne
  16. 200 Australian Women: A Redress Anthology
    Radi, Heather
    [1988]
    Published: Women's Redress Press
  17. Double Time: Women in Victoria - 150 Years
    Lake, Marilyn and Kelly, Farley
    [1985]
    Published: Penguin Books Australia Ltd
  18. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Helen Gwynneth Palmer - Volume 1 (1939 - 1957)
    A6119/2
  19. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Helen Gwynneth Palmer - Volume 2 (1957 - 1965)
    A6119/90
  20. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Helen Gwynneth Palmer - Volume 4 (1965 - 1970)
    A6119/90
  21. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Helen Gwynneth Palmer - Volume 3 (1963 - 1966)
    A6119/90
  22. National Library of Australia: Papers of Aileen and Helen Palmer [manuscript]. [19--]
    Unsorted collection of letters, literary manuscripts and newspaper clippings. Daughters of Vance and Nettie Palmer.
    MS 3044
  23. National Library of Australia: Papers, [manuscript] 1918-1996 (1918 - 1996)
    Consists of correspondence, subject files, personal items, diaries, photographs, manuscripts of unpublished and published works and a large quantity of printed matter. There are letters from Vance, Nettie and Aileen Palmer, Jessie Macleod, Guido Baracchi, Eleanor Dark, Frank Dalby Davison and Katharine Susannah Prichard. There is a thesis by S. B. Clark entitled: Vance Palmer: A Consideration of His Career in Australian Letters. The second daughter of Vance and Nettie Palmer, Helen Gwyneth Palmer was a writer, teacher and worker for many causes, particularly those associated with her commitment to socialism and communism
    MS 6083
  24. National Library of Australia Newspaper Microcopy Reading Room: [Biographical cuttings on Helen Palmer, writer and educationalist]
  25. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Palmer, Helen Gwynneth (1939 - 1948)
    PALMER HELEN GWYNNETH : Service Number - 350207 : Date of birth - 09 May 1917 : Place of birth - KEW VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - PALMER VANCE
    2002/05090863
  26. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Applications for positions by Palmer, Helen Gwynneth Miss (11 August 1947)
    A1361/1
  27. National Archives of Australia, National Office: WAAAF service record - 350207 Flight Officer Palmer, Helen Gwynneth (1942 - 1946)
    A9300/1
  28. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: [Official History, 1914-18 War: Records of Charles E W Bean, Official Historian:] (1947 - 1962)
    Papers, 1947-62; comprise cuttings, leaflets, notes and miscellaneous letters to C E W and Effie Bean from correspondents such as the Society of Old Brentwoods, Sir Edmund Herring, A W Bazley, Helen G Palmer, Jill C Bean, Edith Hough, W Dalton, Dr John Bean, the Old Cliftonian Society, James and Stewart Jamieson
    AWM38
  29. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: In the outdoors, Yarra Valley, Vic.
    Yarra Valley, Vic. C. 1943-09. In the outdoors, the Director WAAAF, Group Officer Clare Stevenson (second from left) and a WAAAF Wing Officer (in dark uniform) conversing with WAAAF officers who conducted a four-day bivouac for a group of WAAAF officer trainees in an area near Launching Place, as part of their training course. Third from the left is Squadron Officer Margaret Blackwood, the officer in charge of the bivouac and on the extreme right is Flight Officer Doris Carter, a staff instructor for the bivouac. On the latter's right is her assistant, Section Officer Helen Palmer.
    VIC1314
  30. National Library of Australia: Papers, [manuscript] 1935-1979 Palmer, Aileen, 1915-1988 (1935 - 1979)
    Family papers comprise correspondence of Nettie, Helen and Aileen Palmer, including letters written by Aileen Palmer during the Spanish Civil War, legal papers, passports and obituaries of Vance, Nettie and Helen Palmer. Correspondence includes letters of Katharine Susannah Prichard, Edith Young, Flora Edlershaw, Eleanor Dark, Guido Baracchi, Frank Dalby Davison, David Martin, Lesbia Harford, Stephen Murray-Smith, Lorraine Salmon, Eric Westbrook, C. Jollie-Smith and Jessie Macleod. Other papers consist of unpublished novels and poems of Aileen Palmer, diary notes, 'Nettie Palmer's book' (1948), family photographs and photographs taken during the Spanish Civil War. Writer. Daughter of Vance and Nettie Palmer. Served in volunteer medical corps in Spanish Civil War (1935-1937) and remained in Europe until 1946.
    MS 6759
  31. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: [Department of Information - Broadcasting Division:] Talks by Helen Palmer (Sep 1943) [transcripts] (1943)
    AWM80
  32. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Helen Gwynneth Palmer and Ronald James Grant Taylor (1960)
    AUTHOR Helen Gwynneth Palmer and Ronald James Grant Taylor : ADDRESS Kirribilli and Melbourne : TITLE OF WORK Prisoners' Country : TYPE OF WORK Dramatic : APPLICANT Helen Gwynneth Palmer and Ronald James Grant Taylor : DATE OF APPLICATION 8 Jan 1960 : DATE COPYRIGHT REGISTERED 10 Feb 1960 : WORK ENCLOSED? Order as A1336/2
    A1336/1
  33. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Helen G. Palmer - complaint re wharf officials (1948)
    A432/82
  34. National Library of Australia: Thesis and correspondence [manuscript] 1934-1967 Clark, S. B. (Stephen Barry). (1934 - 1967)
    "Vance Palmer: a consideration of his career in Australian letters". Thesis submitted by S.B. Clark for the degree of Master of Arts in the University of Sydney, July 1967. Letters to Clark from Aileen and Helen Palmer, Frank Dalby Davison, Judith Wright and Tom Inglis Moore, 1967.
    MS 2255

Resources by Helen G. Palmer (18)

  1. Helen Palmer's outlook / edited by Doreen Bridges for the Helen Palmer Memorial Committee ; with an introduction by Robin Gollan
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1982 ]
    At 47 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 53.58)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 53.58)

  2. Australian teacher in China / by Helen G. Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1953 ]
    At 7 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 33.641)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 33.641)

  3. Monologue by Helen Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Sound : 1997 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.519)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.519)

  4. Papers of Helen Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Thesis : 1918-1996 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.398)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.398)

  5. Helen Palmer interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Sound : 1974 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.235)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.235)

  6. The first two hundred years / Helen Palmer & Jessie MacLeod
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1981 ]
    At 39 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.749)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.749)

  7. Papers of Aileen and Helen Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Unpublished : 1915 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.087)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.087)

  8. Makers of the first hundred years / by Helen G. Palmer and Jessie MacLeod
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1954-1956 ]
    At 32 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 14.322)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 14.322)

  9. After the first hundred years / by Helen G. Palmer and Jessie MacLeod ; illustrated by Mary MacQueen
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1961-1969 ]
    At 47 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.768)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.768)

  10. The first hundred years / by Helen G. Palmer and Jessie MacLeod ; illustrated by Harold Freedman
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1954 ]
    At 37 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.543)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.543)

More...

Resources about Helen G. Palmer (16)

  1. Helen Palmer's outlook / edited by Doreen Bridges for the Helen Palmer Memorial Committee ; with an introduction by Robin Gollan
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1982 ]
    At 47 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 54.64)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 54.64)

  2. Australian teacher in China / by Helen G. Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Book : 1953 ]
    At 7 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 33.22)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 33.22)

  3. Monologue by Helen Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Sound : 1997 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.855)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.855)

  4. Helen Palmer interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Sound : 1974 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.416)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.416)

  5. Papers of Helen Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Thesis : 1918-1996 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.517)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.517)

  6. [Biographical cuttings on Helen Palmer, writer and educationalist, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.353)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.353)

  7. A tribute to Helen Palmer
    Blake, J. D. (John David)
    [ Book : 1979 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.415)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.415)

  8. Papers of Aileen and Helen Palmer
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth), 1917-1979
    [ Unpublished : 1915 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 14.525)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 14.525)

  9. Helen Palmer / Lina
    Bryans, Lina, 1909-2000
    [ Art work : 1969 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.699)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.699)

  10. Papers
    Palmer, Aileen, 1915-1988
    [ Unpublished : 1935-1979 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.658)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.658)

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  1. Helen McGregor
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    Family History

  1. Palmer, Helen G., (Helen Gwynneth) (1917-1979)
    ... PALMER, HELEN GWYNNETH (1917-1979), educationist, was born on 9 May 1917 at Kew ...
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.273)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.273)

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  1. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
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    View 23 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.213)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.213)

  2. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
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    View 25 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.177)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.177)

  3. Website: Putting skirts on the sacred benches : women candidates for the New South Wales Parliament
    www.womenaustralia.info
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  1. Helen Palmer / Lina
    Bryans, Lina, 1...
    [ Art work : 1969 ]
  2. Portrait of Helen Gwynneth Palmer, ...
    [ Photograph : 1940 ]
  3. Vance, Helen in Nettie's arms and A...
    [ Photograph : 1918 ]
  4. Helen and Aileen Palmer, Ardmore, K...
    [ Photograph : 1932 ]
  5. Palmer family, Killenna, (from left...
    Kodak Australia
    [ Poster, chart, other : 1918 ]
  6. [Illustrations for Beneath the Sout...
    Walters, Evelyn
    [ Art work : 1954 ]
  1. W.G. Spence and the rise of the trade unions / by Helen G. Palmer and Jessie MacLeod ; illustrated by William Mahony
    Palmer, Helen G. (Helen Gwynneth)
    [ Book : 1964 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.297)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.297)

  2. Allegations for marriage licences issued by the Bishop of London, 1520 to [1828] Extracted by (the late) Col. Joseph Lemuel Chester .
    Chester, Joseph Lemuel, 1821-1882; Armytage, George J. (George John), Sir, 1842-1918, ed; Church of England. Diocese of London
    [ Book : 1887 ]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0)

  1. THE WORLD OF WOMEN Dinner Guests at University
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) Saturday 3 December 1938 p 29 Article Illustrated
    ... (Miss Helen Palmer), the honorary trea- surer (Miss Elizabeth Wood). Miss J. Alex- ander, Miss M. ... of the union (Dr. Gerald Weigall), Dr. Gwynneth Buchanan, Mr. John Moline, the. retiring president ... (Mr. A. Stewart Ferguson), the president of the 1038 C.M.U.W. (Miss Helen Balfour), the ... 357 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.007)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.007)

  2. THE WORLD OF WOMEN Farewells at University
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) Friday 8 September 1939 p 7 Article Illustrated
    ... Macartney, Mr. F. H. Johnston, Mr. Frank Wilmot, Mr. Frank Brooks, Misses Helen Palmer, Jean Hill, ... (Mr J D G Medley) Among those present were the Chan cclloi (Sir John Lntham) and Lady Latham Mrs D B ... Professoi and Mrs W E Agat Professoi R Marshall Allan Professor G Paton Mr and Mis J S Rogers Mr Leigh ... 445 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.007)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.007)

  3. BENEFIT BRIDGE PARTY. COT FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN.
    The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933) Friday 24 February 1933 p 17 Article
    ... Sybil Murtón, Gwynneth Davis, Karleen Horwood, Jean Morgan, Joyce Kerr, Brenda Morgan, Helen Eldridge, ... Robinson. Karl Sylow, Roger Palmer, J. Wightman, Dr. G. A.' Goldsmld, Messrs. J. E. Dixon and C. G. Stott. ... Freudenberg, L. A. Sully, J. Palmer, A. Grant, Jess Livingston, Meg. Scott, and Eva Henry. Others ... 835 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.007)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.007)