Fighter for our justice
Eris women’s advocate
A TRAILBLAZING Tasmanian advocate for social justice, women and workers is being remembered for her tenacity, energy and compassion.
Eris Smyth, who received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1994 for service to the community and trade union movement, died in Hobart recently. She was 93.
Mrs Smyth was a driving force behind the establishment in 1978 of Caroline House, one of the first women’s shelters in Hobart that was home to women and children in need.
Friend Caroline Milbourne said despite having eight children, Mrs Smyth’s energy knew no bounds.
“Eris was tenacious and worked so hard to get Caroline House set up because until then, there was no place women with alcohol and drug problems could go with their children,” she said.
“She was tireless in helping all the women, and if there was a job to be done, she’d just say ‘Let’s get on with it’. She was the absolute salt of the earth.”
Delivering the eulogy at her mother’s funeral, daughter Paula Rich said her warmth and hospitality were traits she inherited growing up as the eldest of five children on a farm in Monto in central Queensland. She said she was one of the first women to obtain a first-class honours degree in commerce from the University of Queensland, worked overseas and later studied Russian, a law degree and qualified as a librarian before her last child started school.
“Her most rewarding role was that of an industrial officer in the union movement, where she championed workers’ compensation laws, health and safety, women’s entitlements and superannuation,” Ms Rich said. “She was not averse to manning picket lines when this was required.
“She was a delegate to the Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council, not a role for the faint-hearted.
“Mum showed her principled tenacity as an advocate.”
Ms Rich said being involved and active was “a very important part of Mum’s life and when she saw injustices, she was drawn to respond”.
“Our mum had presence – a definite presence – one that could be charming, elegant, supportive, affectionate, warm, kind and incisive,” Ms Rich said. “One that could be also challenging and questioning, but as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she was wonderful.”
As well as being a foundation member of Caroline House, she also served on the board of Holyoake Incorporated for seven years.
Mrs Smyth was a life member of the Catholic Women’s League and former president and secretary of the National Council of Women Tasmania
as well as an inaugural member of the Women’s Action Alliance Tasmania.
She was awarded the Centenary Medal for more than 30 years’ dedicated voluntary service to the Tasmanian women’s movement.
Ms Smyth’s husband Stephen and son Chris died before her but she is survived by her children Stephen, Mary-Ellen, Eris, Kitty, Anthony, Tess and Paula, 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.