HerStory
Eileen Marjory [Marjorie] FITZER
Also known as: née Styles, Eily
Born: 30 March 1902
Died: 27 August 2001
Special Achievements:Pioneer triple-certificated nursing sister.
1930s - First, and only, nursing sister at the mining rushes to Tennant Creek (Northern Territory) and Wauchope (New South Wales).
1980 - Received an MBE, for her services to nursing and the community.
1928 - Began her nursing career as a nursing sister at the Bungalow (Alice Springs, Northern Territory), a home for Aboriginal children.
Sister-In-Charge, Pine Creek Hospital; Pine Creek, Northern Territory.
1940 - Matron at the Channel Island Leprosarium.
Following the leprosarium, she was matron at the Bagot Hospital for Aboriginals, Darwin, Northern Territory.
When living at Daly River, Northern Territory “she became known as the "White Queen of the Daly"”.
Eileen is also noted as an embroidery artist, and participated in exhibitions.
2003 - Awarded a Tribute to Northern Territory Women, “for her contribution as an entertainer, nurse, political activist and Territory pioneer”.
Married Harry GRIBBON, then, after his death, married Tas FITZER, a policeman.
Resources
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References
Egan, Ted. (1 January 1997). Sitdown Up North. Coburg, Victoria: Kerr Publishing. Pages 190-193.
Forrest, Peter and Forrest, Sheila. Our history: Bygone days full of Extraordinary Tales. Northern Territory News. January 2, 2007:26-27.
Forrest, Peter and Forrest, Sheila. Our history: Race was no hurdle to love and respect for NT’s Lulla. Northern Territory News. July 3, 2007:16-17.
Territory Stories. “Tribute to Northern Territory Women, 17 October 2003”. accessed 14 October 2020.
CORE. Fitzer, Eileen Marjory. "Eileen Fitzer". accessed 3 February 2021.
Design & Art Australia Online (DAAO). "Eileen Fitzer b. c.1902". accessed 3 February 2021.
CDU Nursing Museum. "Eileen Fitzer MBE medal". accessed 3 February 2021.
Trove. "Fitzer, Eileen (1902-2001)". accessed 4 February 2021.