Dame Beryl Beaurepaire AC DBE

Dame Beryl Beaurepaire was born in Camberwell in 1923 and educated at Fintona Girls School, Balwyn and the University of Melbourne, where she studied sciences. During World War II, she left university to join the WAAF and did not return to study. In 1946, she married Ian Beaurepaire. They had twin sons and six grandchildren.

Throughout her life she leant her voice to a wide range of social issues and was influential within the organisation of the Liberal Party. As convenor of the National Women's Advisory Council 1978-82, Vice President of the Victorian Section of the Liberal Party 1976-86, and Chairman, Federal Liberal Party Women's Committee 1974-76, she was one of the most important influences on issues affecting women in the Liberal Party, particularly in the time of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, 1975-83.

Dame Beryl is much admired by many women across Australia for her unswerving advocacy for women and equity and her unstinting community service in areas like the Citizen's Welfare Service 1970-86, and the Young Women's Christian Association YWCA (Australia) 1969-77. She was also the first woman Chair of the Australian War Memorial from 1985-93.