People Australia

Ruby Keating, 1936

Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 11 April 1936, p 7

Ruby Centennial Keating, née Perry (1888-1974), housewife, political worker and social activist 

Birth: 28 February 1888 at Glebe, Sydney, daughter of Emanuel Perry (c.1848-1888), labourer, born in Florida, United States of America, and native-born Catherine (‘Hettie’), née Hoskins, later Hurley (1863-1898). Marriage: 1906 in West Maitland to native-born Edward John Keating (1886-1948), labourer. They had three sons and four daughters. Death: 1 May 1974 in Sydney. Religion: Catholic. 

• Her father, reputedly of Spanish heritage, died when she was a baby and her mother died from pulmonary tuberculosis in 1898.
• Ruby became interested in politics through the anti-conscription movement in World War I and joined the Australian Labor Party about 1918. Was treasurer of Leichhardt branch of ALP for four years. Vice-president, Marrickville North branch ALP.
• Member of Labor Women’s Central Organising Committee (WCOC) from its foundation. Helped to secure donations for the use of a building and to furnish it. Honorary treasurer WCOC for 2 yrs. Regular delegate to ALP conferences.
• Active supported unemployed women in Sydney during the 1930s Depression.
• Committee member for City hostel for homeless girls.
• In 1940 was a member of the Daily News Women’s Association.
• One of the first members of the Anti-T.B. Association, for which she regularly sold buttons at its Martin Place stall. She also did a lot of church work.
• Remained very active politically to the 1970s, as a member of the Pagewood branch of the ALP and of the women's committee.

Source
Information from Sue Tracey 1997. ALP Woman Magazine Special Diamond Jubilee Issue, Feb. 1964; Lyb, 1933 p.171, 1934-35 p.232; H. J. Gibbney & A. G. Smith, A Biographical Register 1788-1939, vol 1 (Canberra, 1987), p 385.