• Title
  Marie Byles’ ashes being scattered from the verandah of her home, Ahimsa, Cheltenham, New South Wales
• Call number
  SPF/3768
  
• Level of description
  fonds
• Date
  
  12 April 1980
• Type of material
  Graphic Materials, Photographs
• Reference code
  9664787
• Physical Description
  1 photographic print - 17 x 22 cm
  
• ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
  
  Marie Beuzeville Byles (1900-1979), solicitor and conservationist, was born at Cheshire, England, daughter of Cyril Beuzeville Byles, a railway signal engineer and his wife Ida Margaret, nee Unwin. In 1912 the family arrived at Sydney. Marie Byles was educated at Presbyterian Ladies Colleges at Pymble and Croydon and the University of Sydney, where she graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1921 and Bachelor of Laws in 1924. Admitted as a solicitor in 1924 Byles was the first woman to be admitted in New South Wales. She established a legal practice at Eastwood in 1929, retiring from the practice in 1970. Marie Byles was a feminist who actively supported the rights of women throughout her legal career. She was a bush walker and climber who was a member of the Sydney Bush Walkers and a regular contributor to the Bushwalker. As a conservationist and bush walker she was involved in the successful campaign to establish Bouddi National Park. Byles travelled to China, India and Japan. She developed an interest in Buddhism and was an original member of the Buddhist Society of New South Wales. Byles lived for many years at 'Ahimsa' a cottage built in bushland at Cheltenham. Marie Byles died on 21 November 1979 at her Cheltenham home. Her ashes were scattered at Ahimsa which she left to the State branch of the National Trust of Australia.
  
  References:
  Library correspondence file
  Australian Dictionary of Biography, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/byles-marie-beuzeville-9652 (accessed 6 November 2023)
• Scope and Content
  Black and white photograph of Marie Byles’ ashes being scattered from the verandah of her home, Ahimsa, Cheltenham, New South Wales, by an unknown man. A small child and others look on.
• Copying Conditions
  In copyright:
  Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder
• Description source
  
  Title devised by cataloguer based on information provided by donor.
• General note
  
  Photographer unknown. Susan Todhunter received this photograph from her mother, Patty Todhunter, who was a follower of Marie Byles’ teachings. It is possible that the photograph was taken by Patty.
• Signatures / Inscriptions
  
  Verso of photograph in pencil: "Ashes of Marie Byles scattered 12 April 1980 - 11 AM by".
  
  Verso of photograph in ink: "Marie Byles. Susan Todhunter & little child. What year"
• Subject
  Byles, Marie Beuzeville, 1900-1979.
  
• Place
  Cheltenham (N.S.W.)
  
• Open Rosetta viewer
  IE21165412

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