Historical information

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.

Physical description

Amy Huxtable Memorial Seat - Bendigo Conservatory Gardens. Four Newspaper articles from the Bendigo Advertiser:

2808.7a Article entitled " Committee of 9 for Huxtable Memorial 1/4/1980". Describes how the Mayor of Bendigo called for a committee to consider a suitable memorial to Amy, the former Bendigo Advertiser women's editor. Also mentions a portrait to be painted and hung in a prominent location, perhaps the Advertiser Office. There were a number of other suggestions to honour her including a book to be produced containg Miss Huxtable's numerous history articles.

2808.7b A public notice 21/11/1981 from Miss N Young, President, Amy Huxtable Memorial Committee, inviting people to the presentation of the Amy Huxtable Memorial Seat to the City of Bendigo at the Conservatory Gardens on Sunday Nov 22 1981

2808.7c Article contains a photo of the seat being installed by the Superintendant of Bendigo Parks and Gardens Andrew Taylor, and the deisgner, President of the Memorial Committee Bill Delecca. It acknowledges the seat was bought by the Committee and the Business and Professional Women's Club.

2808.7d Article advising that the Bendigo City Council had granted approval for the seat.