Kent Hughes, Ellen Mary (1893 - 1979)

Ellen Mary Kent Hughes was a medical practitioner and alderman. In 1913 Ellen entered Trinity College Hostel, University of Melbourne (MB, BS, 1917).

After graduating Kenty worked as a resident doctor at the Hospital for Sick Children in Brisbane, following which she practised at Mitchell, Queensland. Here she married her husband, Garde Wilson, a stock and station agent. She commenced practice in Armidale in 1928 and continued working thereafter for almost 50 years, being an Honorary in the Armidale and New England Hospital for 40 years.

Kent Hughes was an alderman of the Town Council for 32 years including time spent as Deputy Mayor. She also served on the Parish Council. She devoted much of her working life to the needy members of the community, especially the Aboriginals living on the town's reserve, whom she would personally transport to the hospital if necessary. She was a firm believer in Aboriginal assimilation.

For 40 years Kenty served the council of St Peter's Anglican Cathedral and was active on many other committees for a wide range of bodies. She was granted the Freedom of the City at the age of 82.

In 1968 she was awarded Member of Order of the British Empire.

[Brief Biography compiled by Robin Hammond, January/February 2004]

• Gilbert, L.A., 'Kent Hughes, Ellen Mary (1893 - 1979)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography - Online Edition, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A150007b.htm. [ Details... ]