Walker, Eadith Campbell (1861-1937)

Also known as
Walker, Eadith Campbell, (Dame) (1861-1937)
Field of activity
Philanthropist; antiques collector; benefactor
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-771096

Biographies

WALKER, Dame EADITH CAMPBELL (1861-1937), philanthropist, was born on 18 September 1861 at The Rocks, Sydney, only child of Scottish parents Thomas Walker, merchant, and his wife Jane, née Hart. The family moved to Yaralla on the Parramatta River at Concord in 1870. After his wife died in December, Walker brought his sister Joanna (d.1890) from Scotland to look after Eadith, whose childhood was shared by Annie Masefield; the girls were educated at home, but attended dancing classes in the city. Strictly raised, Eadith was taught that wealth brought responsibilities and obligations.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Dame Eadith Walker was the sole heir of merchant and pastoralist Thomas Walker. Over the course of her life she gave very generously of her time and money to a wide range of charitable causes, including substantial sums to the women's college at the University of Sydney, and to the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital.

Born in Sydney in 1861, Eadith was the only child of merchant Thomas Walker. Her mother died when Eadith was not yet ten years old, and she was raised by her aunt Joanna at the Walker property, Yaralla at Concord. Eadith was taught to take her wealth seriously from an early age, and this lesson came to the fore when she inherited her father's fortune of just under £1 million in 1886 at the age of 25, though her cousin, James Thomas Walker, was appointed executor of the will. Thomas Walker's wealth had come from his interests as a merchant, pastoralist and shipowner. He was born at Leith, Scotland, in 1804 and emigrated to Australia in 1822 to work with his uncle, later taking charge of the business.

Eadith Walker had a wide range of interests and a sincere love of sport and animals. She was an executive member of what is now the RSPCA, vice-president of the Sydney Rowing Club and patron of the Yaralla cricket club. She was involved with the Queen's Jubilee Fund, the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children and the Royal Hospital for Women, where she served as vice-president of the auxiliary in 1922. Dame Eadith was a member of the council of the new Women's College at the University of Sydney for two years from 1893. Between 1895 and 1930, she offered an annual scholarship of £50 - known as the Yaralla Scholarship - to go to a high achieving student wishing to reside at the College, but requiring financial assistance to do so. To the original building fund she subscribed £1,000, to be paid over only when the fund had reached £4,000 by public subscription. During wartime, through to 1920, Eadith set up a camp at Yaralla where she accommodated and cared for soldiers suffering from tuberculosis, 32 at a time. She donated a second home, 'Leura', for use by consumptive soldiers, and established a library at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Eadith was heavily involved with the Australian Red Cross Society, as a member of its executive committee, and the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia. She continued to support the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital, founded with a £100,000 gift from her father, as well as various religious and educational institutions including her local church.

Eadith Walker was awarded the C.B.E. in 1918 and the D.B.E. in 1928. She died at Yaralla in 1937, leaving her £265,345 estate to the Walker Trusts.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Related people and organisations

Resources for Eadith Campbell Walker

Selected resources (15)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Australian Women's Register

  1. Yaralla and the Walker Family: a brief history of Thomas and Eadith Walker and the Yaralla Estate
    Concord Heritage Society
    Published: Concord Heritage Society
  2. Eadith WalkerA Brief History Of Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital : Eadith Walker
    Lobb, Robyn
    [2002]
    Series: http://www.users.bigpond.com/roblobb/html/rivendell_page_3.html
  3. The Walkers of Yaralla: The History of Thomas Walker and Dame Eadith Walker
    Skehan, Patricia
    [2000]
    Published: P. Skehan Publishing
  4. In Her Gift: Activism and Altruism in Australian Women's Philanthropy, 1880-2005
    Lemon, Barbara
    [2008]
    Published: School of Historical Studies, University of Melbourne
  5. Walker, Dame Eadith Campbell (1861 - 1937)Australian Dictionary of Biography Online : Walker, Dame Eadith Campbell (1861 - 1937)
    MacCulloch, J.
    [2006]
    Published: Australian National University
    Series: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120398b.htm
  6. In Her Gift: Women Philanthropists in Australian History
    Australian Women's Archives Project
    [2009]
    Published: Australian Women's Archives Project
    Series: http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/wiph/home.html
  7. My Grandfather's House
    Rutledge, Helen
    [1986]
    Published: Doubleday
  8. Letters from Louisa: A Woman's View of the 1890s, Based on the Letters of Louisa Macdonald, First Principal of the Women's College, University of Sydney
    Beaumont, Jeanette and W. Vere Hole
    [1996]
    Published: Allen & Unwin
  9. Some Houses and People of New South Wales
    Griffiths, Glynde Nesta
    [1949]
    Published: Ure Smith
  10. Faith, Hope and Charity Australian Women and Imperial Honours: 1901-1989
    Australian Women's Archives Project
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Women's Archives Project
    Series: http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/honours.html
  11. Concord Heritage Society
    Concord Heritage Society
    [2000-2002]
    Published: Concord Heritage Society
    Series: http://www.concordheritage.asn.au/index.htm
  12. Yaralla and the Thomas Walker and Concord General Hospitals
    Olympic Co-ordination Authority
    [2000]
    Published: State Government of NSW
    Series: http://www.oca.nsw.gov.au/ecology/ferry-concord-yaralla.cfm
  13. National Library of Australia: Order of Service for the Dedication of the Dame Eadith Walker, D.B.E., Memorial Fence, Gates and Floodlights by The Most Reverend Howard West Kilvington Mowll, D.D. (20 September 1941)
  14. State Library of New South Wales: Dame Eadith Walker with wreath, possibly Anzac Day, Sydney (c. 1920)
    Dame Eadith Walker with wreath; disabled WWI soldier in background.
    At Work and Play - 05516

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  1. Catalogue of the fine antique and reproduction furniture art treasures, costly appointments & effects ... and the whole of the costly effects and household requisites throughout the historic mansion and grounds of "Yaralla" to be sold by public aucti...
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    The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Thursday 21 October 1937 p 9 Article
    ... LEGACIES TOTAL £18,900 Dame Eadith Walker's Estate SYDNEY. October 20. Legacies amounting to £18,900 left by Dame Eadith Campbell Walker, of Concord, were announced by the Perpetual petual Trustee Co. yesterday. The bequests include. £5,000 to the University of Sydney. £2.000 to the Royal ... 116 words
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    The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Wednesday 20 October 1937 p 9 Article
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