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Betty Jackson
DESCRIPTION
BiographyBeathea Vaughan Jackson was born 1 June 1918 to Harriet Jackson (nee Furphy) and Adam Jackson, the family living at 587 Burke Road, Camberwell. Before commencing at MLC, Betty had previously attended Camberwell Central School. She was enrolled at MLC in February 1932 – starting in Year 10 (Form 4). The subjects on offer were vast, and Betty excelled in the maths and sciences, resulting in her Matriculation Years (1935-1936) consisting of English, French, Scripture, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Betty’s final years at MLC were heavily revolved around student life and leadership. In 1935 she was a Prefect and in 1936 she was on the Debating Team, a House Captain and Senior Vice-Prefect.
The 1936 Honour VI class report in the MLC student magazine, The Silver and Green, was reported as though the students were on a radio broadcast. Betty was introduced as follows: “The celebrated scientist, Miss Betty Jackson, who will give a brief lecture of the domestic habits of radiators. Miss Jackson has devoted much valuable time to the study of these interesting little creatures at close quarters, and should be highly entertaining”.
Upon leaving MLC, Betty Jackson went on to study Science at the University of Melbourne, but remained connection with MLC through her membership with the MLC Old Collegians’ Club (OCC). During her Science degree, Betty had not thought to become a teacher or return to MLC. However, one of her tutors Dr Gwenneth Buchanan pointed out that there were very few qualified female biology teachers, which was a field still heavily dominated by men. This knowledge led Betty to complete a Diploma of Education. During this course, Betty toured MLC on an excursion and realised that MLC offered a wonderful opportunity – it was a large, female, single-sex church school where sciences had previously very little uptake – something Betty wanted to change.
In the 1943 minutes of the OCC AGM, Betty was nominated onto a special committee to help the school establish a proper library, which coincided with her commencing as a science teacher at MLC. The OCC Library Subcommittee was tasked with raising funds to ensure that MLC had “the necessary and modern facilities to support learning”. This involvement kickstarted both Betty’s teaching career, but also her active involvement in the life of MLC students. She held countless positions over her years at MLC, some of which included: Walking Club (vice president 1944-1955), providing leadership to the Bible Study Fellowship/Students’ Christian Movement (1944-1959), leadership to the Social Services Students (1945-1951), the Science Club (1946-1947), Intermediate Club (1949), and Senior House Mistress for Krome (1955-1960).
Betty also remained involved in the Old Collegians’ Club, and was a Council Member for 1945-1946, and in 1960.
Betty was a strong supporter of the MLC Head of Science (Mr H. McKnight), and was instrumental in ensuring that the Science Block built by MLC in 1950-1951 had all of the state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and layout as advised from people who were consulted across the Commonwealth. The modern department allowed for the teaching of all branches of Science.
From 1952, Betty played a leading role in the organisation of the Colleges end of year Speech Nights (now Celebration Evening). This included working on the program, coordinating the music items, organising the seating and the presentation of prizes and trophies.
Betty left MLC at the end of 1960 after 18 years service, most of that time having served as the Senior Teacher in Biology. She returned two years later (again as Senior Biology Teacher and House Mistress for Krome House). She was on leave for the school year of 1964, returning in 1965 as Head of Biology and House Mistress for Krome.
In 1973, Betty was head of Sixth Form (Year 12) and did such a wonderful job that the College appointed her to the position of Vice-Principal starting in 1974. At this stage, Betty had been a teacher at MLC for 28 years. She was known to provide supervision in an unobtrusive way and real support to people who were most in-need. Betty held great concern for all people and was a good listener with a good sense of humour.
After her appointment to Vice-Principal, Betty is constantly thanked in the Senior Prefects reports for her support, guidance, encouragement and sense of humour that always put their problems or issues into perspective. Betty introduced a Cross-Age Tutoring Scheme in 1979, which was very popular for a number of years. She also provided afterhours support and advise to senior boarding students.
Betty Jackson retired from MLC at the end of 1983, a year after the schools massive centenary celebrations.
The then Principal, David Loader, thanked her as having carried out her role as Vice Principal with “great distinction”. He also noted her willingness to share her knowledge of school traditions, her ability in organising functions, her understanding and enjoyment in helping students, as well as having a brilliant mind to envision future developments for the College that were unparralled.
Upon her retirement, a group of students interviewed Miss Jackson to discover what MLC meant to her. They wrote that “Miss Jackson is a living model of her own ideal, i.e. that it is important for women to hold authoritative positions without being aggressive…she commands much respect and has achieved excellent results; after a short conversation one can detect the warmth of her personality – a trait that people all too readily dismiss in successful women…she will always be remembered by those who know her with a certain degree of awe, but more importantly, for her inspiration and determination”.
Throughout her retirement, Betty maintained her connection with MLC, serving as President of the MLC Old Collegians’ Club in 1992 and being a valued attendee at numerous events.
Betty died on 9 January 1988 at her Kew residence. Date of Birth1 June 1918Date of Death9 January 1988
Betty’s final years at MLC were heavily revolved around student life and leadership. In 1935 she was a Prefect and in 1936 she was on the Debating Team, a House Captain and Senior Vice-Prefect.
The 1936 Honour VI class report in the MLC student magazine, The Silver and Green, was reported as though the students were on a radio broadcast. Betty was introduced as follows: “The celebrated scientist, Miss Betty Jackson, who will give a brief lecture of the domestic habits of radiators. Miss Jackson has devoted much valuable time to the study of these interesting little creatures at close quarters, and should be highly entertaining”.
Upon leaving MLC, Betty Jackson went on to study Science at the University of Melbourne, but remained connection with MLC through her membership with the MLC Old Collegians’ Club (OCC). During her Science degree, Betty had not thought to become a teacher or return to MLC. However, one of her tutors Dr Gwenneth Buchanan pointed out that there were very few qualified female biology teachers, which was a field still heavily dominated by men. This knowledge led Betty to complete a Diploma of Education. During this course, Betty toured MLC on an excursion and realised that MLC offered a wonderful opportunity – it was a large, female, single-sex church school where sciences had previously very little uptake – something Betty wanted to change.
In the 1943 minutes of the OCC AGM, Betty was nominated onto a special committee to help the school establish a proper library, which coincided with her commencing as a science teacher at MLC. The OCC Library Subcommittee was tasked with raising funds to ensure that MLC had “the necessary and modern facilities to support learning”. This involvement kickstarted both Betty’s teaching career, but also her active involvement in the life of MLC students. She held countless positions over her years at MLC, some of which included: Walking Club (vice president 1944-1955), providing leadership to the Bible Study Fellowship/Students’ Christian Movement (1944-1959), leadership to the Social Services Students (1945-1951), the Science Club (1946-1947), Intermediate Club (1949), and Senior House Mistress for Krome (1955-1960).
Betty also remained involved in the Old Collegians’ Club, and was a Council Member for 1945-1946, and in 1960.
Betty was a strong supporter of the MLC Head of Science (Mr H. McKnight), and was instrumental in ensuring that the Science Block built by MLC in 1950-1951 had all of the state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and layout as advised from people who were consulted across the Commonwealth. The modern department allowed for the teaching of all branches of Science.
From 1952, Betty played a leading role in the organisation of the Colleges end of year Speech Nights (now Celebration Evening). This included working on the program, coordinating the music items, organising the seating and the presentation of prizes and trophies.
Betty left MLC at the end of 1960 after 18 years service, most of that time having served as the Senior Teacher in Biology. She returned two years later (again as Senior Biology Teacher and House Mistress for Krome House). She was on leave for the school year of 1964, returning in 1965 as Head of Biology and House Mistress for Krome.
In 1973, Betty was head of Sixth Form (Year 12) and did such a wonderful job that the College appointed her to the position of Vice-Principal starting in 1974. At this stage, Betty had been a teacher at MLC for 28 years. She was known to provide supervision in an unobtrusive way and real support to people who were most in-need. Betty held great concern for all people and was a good listener with a good sense of humour.
After her appointment to Vice-Principal, Betty is constantly thanked in the Senior Prefects reports for her support, guidance, encouragement and sense of humour that always put their problems or issues into perspective. Betty introduced a Cross-Age Tutoring Scheme in 1979, which was very popular for a number of years. She also provided afterhours support and advise to senior boarding students.
Betty Jackson retired from MLC at the end of 1983, a year after the schools massive centenary celebrations.
The then Principal, David Loader, thanked her as having carried out her role as Vice Principal with “great distinction”. He also noted her willingness to share her knowledge of school traditions, her ability in organising functions, her understanding and enjoyment in helping students, as well as having a brilliant mind to envision future developments for the College that were unparralled.
Upon her retirement, a group of students interviewed Miss Jackson to discover what MLC meant to her. They wrote that “Miss Jackson is a living model of her own ideal, i.e. that it is important for women to hold authoritative positions without being aggressive…she commands much respect and has achieved excellent results; after a short conversation one can detect the warmth of her personality – a trait that people all too readily dismiss in successful women…she will always be remembered by those who know her with a certain degree of awe, but more importantly, for her inspiration and determination”.
Throughout her retirement, Betty maintained her connection with MLC, serving as President of the MLC Old Collegians’ Club in 1992 and being a valued attendee at numerous events.
Betty died on 9 January 1988 at her Kew residence. Date of Birth1 June 1918Date of Death9 January 1988
CONNECTIONS
Betty Jackson. MLC Collections, accessed 26/09/2026, https://mlccollections.mlc.vic.edu.au/nodes/view/2003