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Irene May Lean (1898–1971)

This article was published:

Irene Lean, c.1919

Irene Lean, c.1919

Irene May Lean (1898-1971) school teacher, trade union official and peace activist

Birth: 3 April 1898 at Thora, near Bellingen, New South Wales, daughter of native-born parents William Lean (1870-1944), farmer, and Catherine McFadyen (1873-1905). Unmarried. Death: 20 April 1971 at Coffs Harbour, NSW. 

  • Teacher and union organiser. Born on north coast of NSW, educated at Bellingen, at West Kempsey district school and at Sydney Teachers College.
  • In 1930s was physical education teacher and active in campaigns to restore salaries, with extensive country service.
  • In 1934 vice president of NSW Teachers’ Federation.
  • During World War II was joint organising secretary of People's Conference for Culture in War and Peace.
  • From 1946 to 1952 elected federation organiser.
  • Retired from teaching in 1962 when she was deputy mistress of Rose Bay Girls School.
  • 1963 made honorary life member of federation.
  • Died in car crash.

Sources
Education, 25 June 1947; 4 February 1953, 11 March 1953, 26 May 1971.

Citation details

'Lean, Irene May (1898–1971)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/lean-irene-may-34233/text42956, accessed 20 September 2024.

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