People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Dickie, Jessie (Janet) (1848–1930)

by Chris Cunneen

Dickie, Jessie (Janet), née Clark (1848-1930) suffragist, temperance advocate and Labor activist

Birth: 1848 in Crathie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, son of James Clark, miller, and Elizabeth. Marriage: 25 March 1870 at Logie-Coldstone, Aberdeen, to John Dickie (1848-1928), railway guard. They had three sons and two daughters. Death: 31 March 1930 at Newtown, Sydney. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Arrived in Sydney aboard the Northampton with husband and three eldest children on 9 January 1880. Husband worked as railway guard. She was a life member of the Women’s Christian Association and a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.
  • A foundation member in 1891 of the Womanhood Suffrage League of New South Wales in Sydney, she was later vice-president until 1905.
  • In 1901 was one of the Labor women in the Suffrage League who formed a Woman’s Progressive Association, to educate women as to the value of the vote.
  • Returned with her husband for a visit to Great Britain in 1912.
  • A strong supporter of the Australian Labor Party.
  • 1912 Appointed to Royal Commission on Food Supply.
  • In 1914 appointed to the Baby Clinics, Pre-maternity and Home Nursing Board chaired by (Sir) Charles Percy Clubbe.
  • Cause of death stomach cancer.

Original Publication

Additional Resources

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

Chris Cunneen, 'Dickie, Jessie (Janet) (1848–1930)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/dickie-jessie-janet-32448/text40245, accessed 28 June 2022.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012