Edith Macfarlane

New Zealand community worker (1871–1948)

Edith Macfarlane

OBE

Macfarlane, from a 1918 newspaper

Born|

Edith Mary Durrieu

(1871-05-20)20 May 1871

Torquay, Devon, England

Died| 2 December 1948(1948-12-02) (aged 77)

Auckland, New Zealand

Edith Mary Macfarlane OBE (née Durrieu; 20 May 1871 - 2 December 1948) was a New Zealand community worker, active with the British Red Cross Society during both World Wars, and with the Victoria League in Auckland.

## Early life

[edit]

Edith Mary Durrieu was born in Torquay, Devonshire, England, on 20 May 1871, the daughter of accountant Louis Adolphus Durrieu and the former Marianne Feltham. The Durrieu family moved to New Zealand when Edith was a small child.[1] She attended Auckland Girls' High School.[2]

## Community work

[edit]

During World War I, Macfarlane organized the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross Society and the Auckland Women's Patriotic League.[1][3] She also organized a 1917 concert for sailors in Wellington, with the Sailors' Friend Society,[4] and was active in the Women's Patriotic League.[5] Her contributions during the first World War were recognised when she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in October 1918.[6][7]

Between the wars she was active with the Auckland branch of the Victoria League. She organized the league's Sewing Circle,[8] and became the branch's president in 1937.[9][10] She continued in this role until her death a decade later. Under Macfarlane's leadership, the league visited hospitals,[11] held patriotic ceremonies,[12] honored volunteers,[13][14] and sent parcels of food and clothing to Great Britain, during the Great Depression and World War II.[1][8]

Macfarlane remained active with the Red Cross Society between the wars.[15] She was also president of the St. James' Free Kindergarten[16] and chair of the ladies auxiliary of the Community Sunshine Association.[1][17] She visited Alaska and Canada in 1927.[18]

## Personal life

[edit]

Edith Mary Durrieu married Scottish-born businessman James Buchanan Macfarlane in 1890, in Auckland.[19] They had six children together. Their eldest son, James Blyth Macfarlane, was wounded at Gallipoli in 1915. Their Epsom home on Gillies Avenue was used for social gatherings,[20][21] and known for its extravagant wisteria plant.[22] She was widowed in 1939 and died at home in 1948, aged 77 years.[1][9] She left £100 to the Victoria League of Auckland in her will.[23]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e Kathleen Anderson, "Edith Mary Macfarlane" in Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (1996).
2. ^ "Girls' High School; Presentation of Certificates". Auckland Star. 15 December 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
3. ^ "Ever-Ready Committee; Birthday Celebrations". New Zealand Herald. 12 April 1933. p. 4. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
4. ^ "Sailors' Friend Society". Evening Post. 25 May 1917. p. 9. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
5. ^ "Prominent Auckland Women: Mrs. J. B. Macfarlan, O. B. E." Auckland Star. 10 May 1930. p. 14. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
6. ^ "For Patriotic Services; Sixty-Seven Appointments" Auckland Star (5 October 1918).
7. ^ "British Empire Order; New Zealand Recipients". Sun. 5 October 1918. p. 6. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
8. ^ a b "Victoria League". New Zealand Herald. 8 April 1931. p. 14. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
9. ^ a b "£1944 RAISED IN HEALTH STAMP SALES". Northern Advocate. 4 December 1948. p. 7. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
10. ^ "Presidents of their respective centres". Evening Post. 7 November 1938. p. 14. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
11. ^ "Victoria League; The Young Contingent". New Zealand Herald. 21 December 1938. p. 5. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
12. ^ "Empire Day Wreaths". Auckland Star. 26 May 1938. p. 10. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via PapersPast.
13. ^ "Red Cross Shop". Auckland Star. 11 December 1942. p. 5. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
14. ^ "Toc H Movement; Part Played by Women". New Zealand Herald. 4 April 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
15. ^ "Red Cross Society". Auckland Star. 12 August 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
16. ^ "Kindergarten Fete". New Zealand Herald. 20 April 1914. p. 9. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
17. ^ "Community Sunshine". New Zealand Herald. 7 March 1934. p. 16. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
18. ^ "Victoria League". New Zealand Herald. 15 September 1927. p. 5. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
19. ^ "Marriages". Auckland Star. 24 September 1890. p. 8. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
20. ^ "Untitled news item". New Zealand Herald. 4 December 1915. p. 9. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
21. ^ "Book-Title Tea". New Zealand Herald. 2 July 1926. p. 7. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
22. ^ "Popular Garden Creeper now in Bloom". New Zealand Herald. 9 October 1936. p. 8. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.
23. ^ "Public Bequests by Northlanders". Northern Advocate. 18 December 1948. p. 5. Retrieved 1 March 2020 - via Papers Past.

## External links

[edit]

* A 1918 photograph of Edith Mary Macfarlane, from the Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries
* A 1941 photograph of Edith Mary Macfarlane, from the New Zealand Herald, at PapersPast.