Hermiene Ulrich

She played a central role in shaping the early teaching and curriculum of the University of Queensland.Hermiene Ulrich (later Hermiene Parnell after her marriage) was born in 1885 in Victoria, Australia to German and Irish parents, and was raised around Ararat.

Possibly reflecting the attitudes of the era to women in higher education, she was not upgraded to a full lecturer despite creating the curriculum for the first intake of Arts students in English, French and German.

Women were not permitted to work after marriage at this point in time, but Mrs Parnell was granted teaching positions in 1913 and 1915–1918, as male members of staff began to enlist in World War I.

[1] She attracted the attention of Margaret Thorp, a leader in Brisbane's peace movement, and John Latham, who were both impressed by her oratory skills, as much as her moderate views.

Her impact on an entire generation of younger scholars is visible from curriculum and examination records, lecture scripts from the Queensland branch of the Workers' Educational Association, and her participation on the Brisbane public-speaking circuit, and entries in journals.