Historical information

Julia Margaret (Bella) Guerin (1858-1923), feminist, political activist and teacher, was born on 23 April 1858. Her father was a Governor of Gaols and was so at Ballarat Gaol from 1860s to 1890.-
Having studied at home to pass matriculation in 1878, Bella entered Melbourne University in 1881, the same year her brother Marco began at Ballarat School of Mines to study Metallurgy and Assaying. Bella became the first woman to graduate from an Australian University when she gained her B.A. from the University of Melbourne in December 1883, becoming M.A. upon application in 1885.
She taught first at Loreto Convent, Ballarat, urging higher education scholarships for Catholic girls to produce 'a band of noble thoughtful women as a powerful influence for good'; then as Lady Principal of Ballarat School of Mines University classes from 1887-1890, resigning upon marriage. Returning to teaching from financial necessity she began to frequent suffragist circles from the mid 1890s. She also became very involved within the Labor Party. She wrote speeches for Vida Golstein, a campaigner for women's rights, the right to vote and stand for elections.
In recognition of her time at Ballarat School of Mines, a Hall of Residence at Federation University, Mount Helen Campus has been named after her, Bella Guerin Hall of Residence.
Tunnelling tradition dictates a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cannot start work until it has been given a female name, a sign of good luck for the project ahead. This dates back to the 1500s when miners and military engineers working with explosives for underground excavation, prayed to Saint Barbara for protection.The TBMs working on the two West Gate extensions are named after two very prominent women working for the rights for women. They are named Bella (Bella Guerin) and Vida (Vida Goldstein)

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