Ruth Dobson interviewed by Ian Hamilton [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 548296
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Dobson, Ruth, 1918-1989, interviewee
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 1984
- 3 sound tape reels (ca. 145 min.) : analog, 7 1/2 ips, 2 track, stereo.
- Summary:
-
Dobson, a retired Australian diplomat, speaks about her early childhood; her father who died when she was seven; her schooling in Sydney; Frensham School; the situation of women in the 1930s and 1940s; attending Sydney University; teaching at St. Catherine's Church of England Girls' School; her father's English relatives; joining the Department of External Affairs; Canberra in the 1940s; problems encountered when representing the Department in the Senate; her involvement with the World Federation of United Nations Associations; the situation of working women in the 1950s; her involvement with the New South Wales Association of University Women Graduates; her work with the Australian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, in particular as advisor to the Australian delegate to the Third Committee dealing with social, cultural and humanitarian matters; 1961-64 posting to New Zealand during which she was promoted to First Secretary, including the sexist behaviour of one of the High Commissioners.
Dobson also speaks about returning to Canberra in 1964; being seconded to Government House; working with Lord and Lady Casey; the visit of Lyndon Johnson; posting to the Philippines; 1971-74 posting to Greece; Cyprus; travelling in Greece; 1974-78 appointment as Ambassador to Denmark; problems setting up the embassy; 1978-81 appointment as Ambassador to Ireland, including problems with domestic staff and security; her retirement; the language skills of diplomats; advantages and disadvantages of being a women in diplomatic service; the contribution made by diplomatic wives; people she met including Castro, Krushchev, Eleanor Roosevelt, Golda Meir, Shirley Temple-Black and Margaret Thatcher; the personal qualities of Lord and Lady Casey; the achievements and shortcomings of the United Nations; her opinion of the cities she has lived in.
- Biography/History:
-
Ruth Dobson began her career in 1943 with the then Department of External Affairs. She represented Australia on a number of postings and on the third committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which drafted the convention on the status of women. She was Australia's first woman career ambassador. In 1982 she was awarded an OBE.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on July 18, July 20 and July 23, 1984 at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, A.C.T.
- Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-215360882
- Related Material:
- Ruth Dobson papers; located at; National Library of Australia Manuscripts collection MS 8275.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Uncorrected transcript (typescript, 57 leaves)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Diplomats
- Other authors/contributors:
- Hamilton, Ian, 1915-1996
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2078 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 2008
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Don't confuse biography with the truth : John Baxter muddies the waters
- The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918-1928 : being the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (no. 27 of 1918), as amended by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1919 (no. 31 of 19) ... Electoral Act 1921 (no. 14 of 1921) ... Electoral Act 1922 (no. 14 of 1922) ... Electoral Act 1924 (no. 10 of 1924) ... Electoral Act 1925 (no. 20 of 1925), and ... Electoral Act 1928 (no. 17 of 1928) : an act to consolidate and amend the law relating to parliamentary elections and for other purposes / the Commonwealth of Australia
- Kalau padi katakan padi / Sharif Putera
- Almas de flores : coleccion de poesias / por Jose Sedano Calonge
- al-Shabab : qadiyah, wa-ri`ayah, wa-dawr : bi-munasabat al-`am al-Dawli lil-Shabab / Khalil al-Fa`uri