Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - Apologies and other correspondence for the public meeting called by the Mayor of Bendigo on a fitting recognition for the life of Amy Huxtable, 1980
... R.L. Campbell from the Bendigo Advertiser Editor Douglas... 1980 letter of thanks to the Mayor Cr R.L. Campbell from ...
Amy Huxtable was born at Cheltenham in 1918, to Robert Henry Huxtable and Violet a Dagg. Her father was an installer for an oil company and travelled the State. taking his family with him. She completed her education at the Bendigo High School and later attended the Bendigo Business College, becoming an expert shorthand writer.
Her first position was as a copy writer with Radio 3BO, in the mid 1930s. She worked with an advertising agency in Melbourne and then with the Age,newspaper. In 1953, Miss Huxtable was appointed temporarily to succeed Miss E B Millane as social editress of the Bendigo Advertiser, during the latter's absence abroad.
In 1956, Amy travelled abroad and on her return in 1957 was appointed permanently as Women's editor, a position she held for twenty-three ears. During her early years with The Advertiser she wrote under the name Toora, but in later years her own name became widely known.
Miss Huxtable was well known both in her professional capacity and through a interest and involvement in community activites. She was life governor of the Bendigo Hospital, the Bendigo Home for the Aged, and Mirridong Home for the Blind, she was a member of Soroptimist International and the Business and Professional Women's Club. Amy was also a tireless worker for the spastic society and a strong supporter of the YWCA.
When Amy Huxtable died at Mt AJvernia Hospital on 16 January 1980 Mayor Campbell ordered the city flag to be flown at half-mast. "Lowering the flag is the least we can do for such a lady" Cr Campbell said.
Douglas Lockwood, editor of the Bendigo Advertiser said, "She was a devot d colleague who gave her craft and her newspaper the kind of service which identified a rare and generous spirit." She was a true professional who decided to make Bendigo her home.
More than 300 people packed St Paul's Church for her funeral ervice the bell tolled as the casket was carried from the church.
At a ceremony in the Conservatory Gardens on No ember 22 1981 The Amy Huxtable Memorial Committee presented to the City of Bendigo, a garden seat in memory of the late Miss Huxtable. This Bendigo manufactured seat was a fitting tribute to one ofBendigo's most loved and esteemed citizens. All Miss Huxtable's Advertiser articles were microfilmed and presented to the Library by the above committee. Apologies and other correspondence for the public meeting called by the Mayor of Bendigo on a fitting recognition for the life of Amy Huxtable.
There are eight pages of documents:
* Apologies from Grace A. Craig and husband representing the Bendigo Business and Professional Women's Club,
* Bendigo Trust letter correcting who represented them at the meeting from Mrs Myra Potter, Executive Officer,
* Report from the first and second meetings of the Amy Huxtable Memorial Interim Committee,
* Apology from Norma Young for the next committee meeting suggesting an appeal be launched if funds are not found for the memorial,
* City of Bendigo Parks and Gardens letter 29 May 1980 giving permission for a memorial seat to be erected,
* Interim committee report Thursday 5th June 1980,
* July 1980 letter of thanks to the Mayor Cr R.L. Campbell from the Bendigo Advertiser Editor Douglas Lockwood,
* Advertising brochure for a Cast Iron Lacework seat,
* Report of the Memorial Committee heldon 24th July 1980 at the Bendigo Advertiser offices.
* Letter from Miss Norma Young - a suggested seat design
* July 1980 letter apology to the Mayor Cr R.L. Campbell from the Bendigo Advertiser Editor Douglas Lockwood,
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