Alice Elizabeth Anderson
Alice Elizabeth Anderson, born Alecia Elizabeth Foley Anderson (8 June 1897 – 17 September 1926), was an Australian businesswoman, garage proprietor, designer, industrial/product designer, and mechanic. Anderson was the owner of the first all-women garage workshop in Australia.[1][2][3][4]
Alice Elizabeth Anderson | |
---|---|
Born | Alecia Elizabeth Foley Anderson 8 June 1897 |
Died | 17 September 1926 29) Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | (aged
Cause of death | Gunshot |
Nationality | Australian |
Occupation | Businesswoman, garage proprietor, designer, industrial/product designer, and mechanic |
Years active | 1919–1926 |
Known for | First all-women garage proprietor in Australia |
Parent(s) |
|
Life and career
Third child of the Irish-born couple Joshua Thomas Noble Anderson, an engineer, and Ellen Mary, Alice Elizabeth Anderson was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 8 June 1897. She grew up in a bush house in Narbethong, a small town in the rural suburbs of Melbourne, where she learned to hunt, fish, horse ride, and had her first contact with driving.[3] During her teenage years, Anderson attended the Melbourne Church of England Girls' Grammar School, however financial struggles forced her to abandon schooling after five terms.[4]
While some writers say Anderson's first contact with vehicles happened in the local co-operative bus service,[4] others say she worked in her father's motoring business as a secretary and the staff taught her to drive.[5][6] Either way, her interests in motors and technology began in her late childhood.
At the age of 18, Anderson started a part-time job as a clerical worker and, alongside, took groups on weekend touring trips to the Dandenong Ranges.[3][6] By the age of 21, she settled in Kew and became a full-time worker for her tourism business. A year later, she acquired a block in Cotham Road, constructed a brick garage, and founded the Alice Anderson Motor Service enterprise.[6]
Alice Anderson Motor Service
Inaugurated in 1919, Alice Anderson Motor Service was the first all-women garage workshop in Australia.[7] The services offered included vehicle repair, chauffeuring with garage-owned cars, interstate touring trips, driving classes, and petrol stations.[7][3] In addition, women could take educational programs on engine technology, and participate in a mechanics apprenticeship.[3] Due to Anderson's reputation for caring and passion, mothers from all across Australia would send their daughters to the garage to learn to drive.[8][9] By 1925, the garage was so popular that 50 women applied for the apprenticeship program, the crew grew to 9 members, and the car fleet grew to 5 vehicles.[3]
The enterprise continued to operate after Anderson's death until at least 1954, first with Ethel Bage, a close friend of Anderson, as manager, and then with May Rooney.
Death
On 7 September 1926, Anderson was found dead in her workshop in Kew after a day of work.[3][9] The coroner's report suggested that she accidentally shot herself while cleaning two of her guns, and family and friends dismissed the possibility of suicide.[3]
The news stated the following day: "Probably no woman in Melbourne was better known. She pioneered the way to motor garages for women, and made a greater success of it than most men could."[9]
Anderson was buried in the Boroondara Cemetery following a graveside service. Young women who worked in her garage acted as pallbearers.[10]
Legacy
According to the historian Loretta Smith, Anderson "was a woman of 'rare achievement' who excelled as a motoring entrepreneur and inventor."[1][11] Her best known invention is the car creeper, even though she did not apply for a patent at the time.[3][6]
Anderson was involved with several social clubs and associations.[8] She was a founder and Vice-President of The Women's Automotive Club of Australia,[3][12] and a member of The Lyceum Club,[13] a club for prominent and influential women in the fields of arts, sciences, and contemporary issues.[14][15] As an advocate for women in garage work, and female independence, she published press articles and contributed to motoring columns.[16][8]
In 2016, Alice's Garage, a social enterprise, was founded upon Anderson's ideals of women empowerment. Its mission is "to address the inequalities LGBTI Elders face related to ageism and the legacies of our LGBTIphobic histories."[17]
Since 2017, "Alice Anderson's Motor Service" is an exhibition in the National Motor Museum of Australia.[18] In 2018, the project won the "Interpretation Australia, Runners-up – 2018 Awards of Excellence."[19]
In March 2020 Anderson was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women followiing nomination by members of the Friends of Boroondara (Kew) cemetery.[20]
References
- Smith, Loretta (26 March 2019). A Spanner in the Works: The extraordinary story of Alice Anderson and Australia's first all-girl garage. Hachette Australia. ISBN 9780733642111.
- Clarsen, Georgine (1 October 2008). Eat My Dust: Early Women Motorists. JHU Press. ISBN 9781421405148.
- Laurenson, Geoff (June 2014). "Nothing ventured, nothing gained: Alice Anderson – mechanic, chauffeur and entrepreneur" (PDF). University of Melbourne Collections. issue 14: 16–21.
- Clarsen, Georgine (2005). "Anderson, Alice Elizabeth (1897–1926)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Supplementary Volume. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 22 July 2019 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
- Stone, Kerrianne (10 January 2017). "Alice Anderson in her Hupmobile Touring car". Teaching with Unique Collections. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- Webb, Carolyn (18 September 2015). "Pioneering female mechanic Alice Anderson back in the spotlight". The Age. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- "Alice Anderson's Motor Service: Australia's first all-female workshop | CarAdvice". CarAdvice.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Obituary – Alice Elizabeth Anderson – Obituaries Australia". oa.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "MISS ANDERSON'S DEATH". Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954). 18 September 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Social Notes". Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 – 1946). 25 September 1926. p. 64. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- Wilson, Katherine (7 June 2019). "How Alice Anderson steered women into a new world". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "THE WOMEN'S AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AUSTRALIA". Port Fairy Gazette. 1914–1918.
- "PERSONAL". Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954). 6 August 1926. p. 5. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Lyceum Club". Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "The Ladies' and Gentlemen's clubs of Melbourne". @RACV. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Over 100 years of Women in Trades and counting". SALT. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "About | Alice's Garage". Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Alice Anderson's Motor Service | Motor Museum". National Motor Museum. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "2018 Awards of Excellence Winners". Interpretation Australia. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- "Alice Elizabeth Foley Anderson". www.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 9 March 2020.