Annabelle Rankin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Dame Annabelle Rankin DBE
High Commissioner of Australia to New Zealand
In office 18 March 1971 – 12 June 1974
Prime Minister	William McMahon Gough Whitlam
Preceded by	Ted Hicks
Succeeded by	Brian Clarence Hill
Minister for Housing
In office 26 January 1966 – 22 March 1971
Prime Minister	Harold Holt John McEwen John Gorton William McMahon
Preceded by	Les Bury
Succeeded by	Kevin Cairns
Government Whip in the Senate
In office 11 June 1951 – 8 March 1966
Prime Minister	Robert Menzies
Preceded by	Reg Wright
Succeeded by	Malcolm Scott
Senator for Queensland
In office 1 July 1947 – 24 May 1971
Succeeded by	Neville Bonner
Personal details
Born	Annabelle Jane Mary Rankin (1908-07-28)28 July 1908 South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Died	30 August 1986(1986-08-30) (aged 78) South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Liberal
Relations	Colin Rankin (father)

Dame Annabelle Jane Mary Rankin (July 28, 1908 – August 30, 1986) was an important Australian politician and diplomat. She made history in many ways. Annabelle Rankin was the first woman from Queensland to be elected to the Australian Parliament. She was also the first woman to become a federal minister. Later, she became the first Australian woman to lead a diplomatic mission in another country.

Born in Brisbane, Annabelle Rankin was the daughter of a state politician. She joined the Liberal Party. In 1946, she was elected to the Senate, starting her role the next year. She was the second woman ever elected to the Senate.

Annabelle Rankin served as the Liberal Party's chief whip for many years. This role helps organize party members in parliament. In 1966, she became the Minister for Housing. This made her the first woman to hold a ministerial job in Australia. She stayed in this role until she retired from politics in 1971. After that, she became Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand from 1971 to 1974. This was another pioneering role for women in Australia.

Annabelle Rankin's Early Life

Rankin as a small child, with her mother and grandmother

Annabelle Jane Mary Rankin was born on July 28, 1908. Her birthplace was South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was one of two daughters. Her father, Colin Rankin, was a sugar farmer and a politician. He had also served in the Boer War.

Annabelle grew up on her family's sugarcane farm near Childers. Later, her family moved to Howard. This happened when her father took on a new role at a coal mining company. The family lived in a historic home called Brooklyn House. Annabelle went to local schools. She finished her education at the Glennie Memorial School in Toowoomba.

Even though she came from a well-off family, Annabelle chose to be very active. She helped in many community groups. She taught Sunday school and started a local Girl Guides group. Her father encouraged her to travel. She visited countries like China and Japan. In Europe, she saw how people lived and helped those in need.

After her father passed away in 1940, Annabelle started working. She was a clerk for a trustee company. During World War II, she led a group of volunteers. They helped with medical care in Brisbane. She also held important roles with the Girl Guides and the YWCA. She helped look after servicewomen, traveling to military bases. In 1946, she was offered a job with the United Nations in Greece. However, she decided to enter politics in Australia instead.

Annabelle Rankin's Political Career

Rankin in the 1940s

In 1946, Annabelle was chosen by the Queensland People's Party. This party was connected to the Liberal Party. She ran for a seat in the Senate. Her first campaign speech drew a very large crowd. This showed how much interest there was in her.

She was elected in the 1946 federal election. She started her term as a Senator in July 1947. This was a big moment! She was the first woman from Queensland to be elected to the federal parliament. She was also the second woman ever elected to the Senate.

After the 1946 election, her party (the Coalition) had only a few senators. Annabelle became the Opposition Whip. This meant she helped organize her party's senators. She was the first woman to hold such a role in parliament! She was also involved in groups that spoke out about important national issues.

Rankin in 1967

On January 26, 1966, Prime Minister Harold Holt made her the Minister for Housing. This meant she was in charge of government programs related to housing. She was the second woman ever to become a minister in the Australian government. She held this important position until 1971.

In 1971, she left the Senate. She then became Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand. This was a very important job, like being an ambassador. She held this role until 1974. After her diplomatic role, she returned to Brisbane. There, she continued her volunteer work.

She also held the special title of 'Mother of the Senate' from 1968 to 1971. This title is given to the senator who has served the longest without a break.

Later Life and Legacy

Annabelle Rankin passed away in Brisbane on August 30, 1986. She was 78 years old. She was honored with a state funeral.

Honours and Awards

For her many years of service to the public and in politics, Annabelle Rankin received a special honor. In 1957, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). In 1977, she became a Life Member of the Queensland Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia.

Remembering Annabelle Rankin

An area for federal elections, called the Electoral Division of Rankin, was named after her in 1984. The Dame Annabelle Rankin Award was also created in her memory. This award is given by the Children's Book Council of Australia.

See also

• List of the first women holders of political offices in Oceania