Isobel Kendall Bowden papers and pictorial material, 1859-1986

fonds

1859-1986

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Drawings

916234

7 boxes
3 albums
1 drawing

Isobel Kendall Bowden, conservationist, teacher and author, was born at Woodford, NSW, in 1908, second daughter of Federal Parliamentarian and Minister for Defence, Eric Kendall Bowden, and his wife Reinette, nee Murphy. Miss Bowden spent most of her life in the Blue Mountains where she developed an abiding interest in local and natural history and bush walking and a concern for the environment. Active in the local community, Isobel was a foundation member of the Pioneer Way Association and the Blue Mountains Flora and Fauna Association and maintained an active membership of the Blue Mountains Civil Defence (State Emergency Service), the Blue Mountains Conservation Society and the Methodist Church. She was recognised for this service in 1985 when she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal. For some years, Miss Bowden also operated the tea and craft shop at Woodford Academy. She died in August 1986 after a long illness.

Includes family correspondence, particularly between Isobel Bowden and her parents and siblings, and correspondence of Eric Kendall Bowden; diaries of Doris Jean Bowden, 1908-1968; and photograph albums mainly of events, family and scenes in the Blue Mountains