Cynthia Teague facts for kids

Cynthia Mary Teague (born May 22, 1907, died March 8, 2007) was an amazing Australian architect and public servant. She was a pioneer, meaning she was one of the first women to achieve great things in her field. She even received an award called the MBE for her services to Australia.

Cynthia Teague's Early Life and School

Cynthia Teague was born in Hawthorn, Victoria. She went to Ruyton Girls' School in Kew from 1912 to 1923. She was very smart and was named "dux" of her year. This means she was the top student!

Becoming an Architect

Cynthia started learning about architecture at Swinburne Technical College from 1924 to 1927. An architect is someone who designs buildings. She then continued her studies at the University of Melbourne. In 1928, she was the only student to get "honours" in her first year. This shows how talented she was.

When she graduated in 1930, she won the Grice Bronze Medal. This was a special award for being the best student. She even won against other very good students. Cynthia's father paid for her first year of studies. After that, she won scholarships to pay for the rest of her training. This helped her finish her education.

Cynthia Teague's Career

Working as an Architect

While studying, Cynthia also worked at her family's firm, Purchas & Teague. Later, she joined George E. Nichterlein's office. Here, she designed several homes. She also drew plans for St John's Lutheran Church in South Melbourne. She even wrote an article about this church.

After graduating, Cynthia worked for F. Keith Cheetham. She helped design offices, flats (apartments), and houses. In 1934, she got a big job at Oakley & Parkes. She started as a chief draftsperson. Soon, she became a senior draftsperson. By 1938, she was the chief designer. She designed many buildings, including offices, flats, houses, and factories.

Helping During World War II

When World War II started, another architect, Mary Turner Shaw, encouraged Cynthia to help. Cynthia joined the Commonwealth Department of Works (CDW). At first, she designed factories that made bombs and shells. These were in Maribyrnong, Victoria. Later, she designed plants that made fireworks in Mulwala, NSW.

In 1943, she moved to a different section. She designed and improved post offices and telephone buildings. These were for towns all over Australia. She also worked on big projects like the new Brisbane GPO. She helped with plans for the new City of Darwin. She also designed Commonwealth offices for Sydney and Melbourne.

Leading Big Projects

After the war, Cynthia worked on even bigger projects. She helped design the Braddon Flats in Canberra. She also worked on an early design for the National Library in Canberra. She designed the Commonwealth Offices in Melbourne. Later, she worked on similar offices in Lismore and Sydney. She really enjoyed designing complex office buildings.

By 1959, Cynthia was promoted to Supervising Architect. In 1960, she became the Superintending Architect. That same year, she went to Delhi, Myanmar, and Malaysia. She oversaw work there for the Department of External Affairs. In 1964, Cynthia was promoted again. She became the Assistant Director General in the Commonwealth Department of Works. This made her the first Australian woman to reach such a high level in the Public Service. In this role, she worked on schools and housing in Darwin. She also helped restore Custom's House in Melbourne. She worked on several hostels for immigrants in Victoria.

Standing Up for Others

In 1939, Cynthia was part of a committee. They put on an architectural display at an exhibition. She later wrote an article about it.

After World War II, the government announced that women public servants would get paid less. During the war, they had been paid the same as men. Cynthia and her colleagues fought against this change. Even though they tried hard, they were not successful.

Teaching and Writing

Cynthia also taught at the Melbourne Technical College. She taught about designing building interiors from 1948 to 1950. She was also the Honorary Editor of the RVIA Quarterly Bulletin.

Important Buildings Cynthia Worked On

• St John's Lutheran Church, South Melbourne (1928) – She drew the plans.
• Kodak House, Collins St, Melbourne (1934) – She helped with the plans.
• Anzac House, Collins St, Melbourne (1938) – She helped with the plans.
• Malcolm Reid's Pty Ltd, Bourke St, Melbourne (1938) – She helped with the plans.
• Woolworths, West Melbourne (1938) – She helped with the plans.
• Gouge Pty Ltd, Brighton (1938) – She helped with changes and plans.
• Lane's Motors, Exhibition St, Melbourne (1938) – She designed and drew the plans.
• Commonwealth Offices, Spring St, Melbourne (1953) – She helped design this building.
• Commonwealth Offices, Sydney (1953) – She helped design this building.

Awards and Honours

• 1930 Grice Bronze Medal from the University of Melbourne.
• 1961 Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
• 1961 Fellow of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects.
• 1971 Awarded the MBE for her great work for Australia.