Edith Mervinia Masterman (1901–1998)[1] was an Australian writer, naturalist and illustrator, best known for her two illustrated books dedicated to the natural history of Kangaroo Island: Flinder's Chase, Kangaroo Island, South Australia: Place of enchantment for nature lovers (1950)[2] and Flinder's Chase Revisited, Kangaroo Island, South Australia: Nature-lovers' sanctuary (1972).[3] Masterman also gave public lectures on the subject.[4][5] The Advertiser described her original 1950 work as "a charming book"[6] and columnist Eleanor Barbour described her as "an artist of no mean calibre" with a talent for "fluent descriptive writing".[7] The book was advertised and distributed nationally.[8][9][10][11]

Political views edit

Masterman lobbied to maintain the boundaries and protections of Flinder's Chase National Park and was an advocate for nature education.[12]

Personal life edit

Masterman lived at Undalya[12] with her husband John, an apiarist. They had a daughter on 11 May 1936,[13] and another on 9 February 1940.[14] She played an active role in the Associated Country Women of the World, gave talks on art to various Country Women's Association branches[15] and held informal art classes and sketching parties.[7] She died the same year as her husband.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Mervinia Masterman | 1901 - 1998 | Undalya (Saint Patrick) Catholic Cemetery | Grave Site | BillionGraves". BillionGraves. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  2. ^ Masterman, Mervinia (1950). Flinders Chase, Kangaroo Island, South Australia : place of enchantment for nature lovers. Melbourne : Georgian House.
  3. ^ Masterman, Mervinia (1972). Flinders Chase revisited : Kangaroo Island, South Australia : nature-lovers' sanctuary. Netley, S. Aust. : Griffin Press.
  4. ^ "WATERVALE NOTES". Northern Argus (Clare, SA : 1869 - 1954). 18 March 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Bureau Conference". Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954). 13 February 1952. p. 11. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Delightful Description Of Flinders Chase". Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954). 20 January 1951. p. 6. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Eleanor Barbour's Pages FOR COUNTRY WOMEN". Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954). 2 August 1951. p. 28. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  8. ^ "LET'S GO SHOPPING". Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 - 1962). 22 June 1960. p. 10. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Library List". Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954). 24 March 1951. p. 12. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Book News". Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). 24 March 1951. p. 8. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Advertising". Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 9 December 1950. p. 19. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  12. ^ a b "To the Editor". Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954). 8 June 1951. p. 2. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Family Notices". Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954). 14 May 1936. p. 18. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Family Notices". Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954). 15 February 1940. p. 23. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Burra Branch C.W.A." Burra Record (SA : 1878 - 1954). 25 April 1950. p. 8. Retrieved 1 October 2018.