Ellen Desailly

Ellen "Nellie" Desailly (23 December 1857[1] – 31 October 1939)[2] was a pioneer of the Free Kindergarten movement in Sydney, Australia.

History

Desailly was the second daughter of George Peter Desailly (c. 1823 – 10 September 1876) and Emma Jane Desailly (c. 1833 – 29 March 1892) of Coree and Mossgiel Station, N.S.W.

She was the first general secretary of the Kindergarten Union of New South Wales (founded 1895),[3] a position she held for 22 years.

Family

Dr (Julian) Gilbert Desailly,[4] married to Frances Esme Desailly, M.B.E., J.P.,[5] née Tangye,[6] of Camperdown, was a brother.

Recognition

The Ellen Desailly kindergarten (founded 1928) at North Sydney[7] was named for her. When it closed down, the Wentworth Park kindergarten[8] at Glebe was renamed Ellen Desailly kindergarten.[9]

Harriet A. Dumolo, principal of the Kindergarten Training College, paid a tribute to her work and influence.[10]

References

1. "People Australia: Desailly, Ellen (Nellie) (1857–1939)". National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
2. "Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 29, 082. Victoria, Australia. 7 November 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 25 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "The Kindergarten Union". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). No. 5028. New South Wales, Australia. 2 August 1895. p. 2. Retrieved 25 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "Dr. J. G. Desailly Dies After Illness". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 4650. Victoria, Australia. 16 August 1937. p. 13. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "Mrs F. E. Desailly Dies Suddenly". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 8739. Victoria, Australia. 26 September 1950. p. 19. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
6. "Family Notices". The Australasian. Vol. LXXV, no. 1947. Victoria, Australia. 25 July 1903. p. 44. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 28, 202. New South Wales, Australia. 25 May 1928. p. 6. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
8. "Our Future Men and Women". The Sunday Times (Sydney). No. 1626. New South Wales, Australia. 18 March 1917. p. 30. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "For Women". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 29, 486. New South Wales, Australia. 6 July 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 25 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "Obituary". Camperdown Chronicle. Vol. LXIII, no. 1837. Victoria, Australia. 18 November 1939. p. 5. Retrieved 25 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.