People Australia

Gloria Phelan, Education (NSW Public School Teachers Federation), 26 October 1981, p 14

Gwendoline Gloria Prior Phelan, née Reid, later Laird (1911-1981) teacher, trade union official, women’s and Aboriginal rights activist, and Communist 

Birth: 15 February 1911 at Maryborough, Queensland, daughter of Ernest Arthur (Ernie) Reid (1878-1955), farmer and agent, and Elizabeth May (Bessie), née Prior (1886-1970). Marriages: (1) 10 September 1935 at Brisbane, Queensland, to Edward Joseph Phelan (1905-1992), a Queensland-born pharmacist. They had one daughter and two sons. The marriage seems to have ended about 1951. (2) 1963 at Sydney, New South Wales, to Albert Richard Laird (1912-1999), a fitter, born in Sydney. They had one daughter and two sons. Death: 2 October 1981 at her usual residence in Marriott Street, Redfern, Sydney. Religion: buried without a funeral service. 

• Graduated BA(Hons) in English at University of Queensland in 1932. Her first teaching appointment was at Mackay, resigning on her marriage in 1935.
• Taught at Townsville Grammar School in 1940 and 1943. Campaigned with Townsville Trades and Labor Council for establishment of a municipal day nursery in city. Joined the Communist Party of Australia early in World War II. Reputedly the first woman reporter on the CPA’s paper, North Queensland Guardian, she worked full time on the paper. Close associate of Fred Paterson. Broadcast over Townsville radio and was a fine public speaker and organiser.
• Moved to Sydney in 1952, returning to teaching in 1956 at Sydney Technical High School. Transferred to Correspondence School in 1957.
• Joined New South Wales Teachers Federation (NSWTF) in 1956. Was Correspondence School representative on Equal Pay Committee and electorate organiser in equal pay and salaries campaigns. Vice-president of Correspondence School Teachers Association about 1959.
• Elected NSWTF research officer in 1959, retaining the post until her retirement in 1966. Conducted annual surveys and wrote many submissions in support of campaign for federal aid for education. At 1965 Australian Council of Trade Unions Congress she moved motion calling for greater union involvement in federal aid campaign.
• Active campaigner for improved educational access for Aboriginal people. Chair of Aboriginal Schools Committee; wrote NSWTF submission to 1966 NSW joint parliamentary inquiry into Aboriginal welfare. Supporter of Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.
• In 1975-1976 wrote series of articles for Education on women who had been active in NSWTF activities. Awarded NSWTF honorary life membership in 1976. Associate of Elizabeth Mattick.
• Author of Aboriginal Children at School — Special Problems and Special Needs.
• Retired early because of ill health. Fought a long battle against rheumatoid arthritis which confined her to a wheelchair for the last ten years of her life. Cause of death: myocardial infarction (1 hour), ischaemic heart disease (4 years), rheumatoid arthritis (20 years).

Sources
Education, 20 May 1959, 15 February 1967, 24 November 1976, 26 October 1981.