‘Give a woman a Kodak’ The Doris McKellar Photograph Collection Geoff Laurenson

The early 20th century was a time Hall and Harriet ‘Hattie’ Louisa Hall of great social change in , (née Moore). Doris had a privileged building in part on technological upbringing; the family lived at innovations of the late 19th century. ‘Glenmoore’, a spacious, two-storey The University of was villa in the south-eastern Melbourne changing as well, since the admission suburb of Elsternwick, situated on of its first women students following a large block, complete with tennis the passing of the University Act court. Glenmoore had been built as a 1881.1 Women also began to enter country house for the Moore family the paid workforce in larger numbers by Hugh Moore, Harriet’s father, in the late 19th century, including around 1868;2 Harriet and Percival the medical profession. This trend Hall probably moved there in 1895, spurred on the opening of the legal following their marriage.3 Doris profession to women through the attended Cromarty School for Girls, passing of the Women’s Disabilities a small, non-denominational private Removal Act in in 1903, school in Elsternwick, which operated which allowed women to practise as from 1897 to 1923.4 While at barristers and solicitors. Cromarty, Doris took a keen interest The growing popularity of in tennis, representing the school at photography was another significant the Kia-Ora Club matches against development that influenced in gendered terms, with women other girls’ schools.5 She also showed society around this time. Although responsible for documenting matters great academic ability, and was dux of photography had been invented in of domestic or personal significance, the school in 1912.6 In 1915 she sat the mid-19th century, it was not until while men were expected to record her final exams and was accepted into the late 19th century that Kodak more public and political events. The the Bachelor of Arts course at the introduced inexpensive personal photographs of Doris McKellar (née .7 cameras. The development of cheap Hall) offer personal views of everyday Although women were first and easy-to-use cameras led to the life in early 20th-century Melbourne. admitted to the University of proliferation of amateur photography McKellar embodied many of the Melbourne in the 1880s, it was not and photographers, many of whom social changes mentioned above, without hesitation. While there was were women. Amateur photographs being one of a new generation of enough physical space on campus, from this time gave a different women to pursue higher education ‘intellectually the University’s perspective from that of formal and a profession. welcome was less assured’.8 Women portraiture, offering insight into social Doris Winifred Hall was born students had traditionally gathered relations. Contemporary advertising in 1897, the eldest daughter of at the Princess Ida Club, formed in framed amateur photography Melbourne solicitor Percival St John 1888 to provide ‘a protected enclave,

28 University of Melbourne Collections, issue 16, June 2015 Opposite: Attributed to Doris Hall, D.W.H. [Doris Winifred Hall], c. 1915, nitrate negative. NN295, reference no. 1975.0048, Doris McKellar Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.

Below: Attributed to Doris Hall, Glenmoore— Pollie & self, c. 1915, nitrate negative. NN252, reference no. 1975.0048, Doris McKellar Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.

Right: Attributed to Doris Hall, Doris Hall [McKellar] (left) and Pollie Turnbull, c. 1915, nitrate negative. NN448, reference no. 1975.0048, Doris McKellar Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.

Club was in its final days.10 Doris around heavy glass-plate negatives found a close friend in Mary ‘Pollie’ and needed detailed knowledge Turnbull, who started studying in the of developing chemicals and same year.11 Doris took a wide range techniques. Kodak aimed to simplify of subjects, including Latin, English photography, and pioneered ‘send literature, French language, and away’ development services.15 Such British history.12 innovations allowed people to easily It was around this time that Doris document their own lives through became interested in photography. ‘snapshots’. Amateur photography had existed in By the early 20th century, many Australia since the late 19th century, women became interested in amateur but it was not until the early 20th photography.16 As early as December century that it became a popular 1914, Kodak advertisements in pursuit. The Working Men’s College Punch magazine featured images Photographic Club, now known as of glamorous young women with the Melbourne Camera Club, was their new cameras. The No. 3A established in 1891 to allow students Folding Pocket camera was marketed of the Working Men’s College (now primarily to women, and it was RMIT University) and others to probably around this time that Doris develop their skills in photography.13 acquired one. The No. 3A was an Despite the name, many women expensive item, costing around £5 studied at the college and were in 1914;17 although not portable by active members of the club from modern standards, it was considered its inception. Another significant to be pocket-sized and was designed event in the history of amateur to fit in a leather pouch, which could photography was the emergence of be ordered from Kodak (pictured on the Kodak company. Eastman Kodak p. 31). It used cellulose nitrate film was founded in 1887 and soon led the instead of glass plates, making it more way for amateur photography. Kodak portable and easier to use. Another a source of enduring friendships and quickly produced two inventions advantage of the camera was that no collective identity’ to early women that revolutionised the medium. The darkroom was required to develop students.9 Even by the time Doris first of these was roll film in 1888 film. Ease of use was a key feature of enrolled, the student body was still and then lightweight, inexpensive Kodak cameras, with advertisements male-dominated, many aspects of cameras such as the ‘Box Brownie’ emphasising that ‘you can learn student life were segregated along in 1900.14 Before the invention of to use a Kodak camera in half an gender lines, and the Princess Ida roll film, photographers had to carry hour’.18 The portability of the camera

Geoff Laurenson, ‘ “Give a woman a Kodak” ’ 29 allowed Doris and her friends to to action, and as a memorialiser. the way, becoming the first woman in take a large number of photographs, Kodak advertisements from the time Victoria to graduate with a law degree, both at home and abroad on summer portrayed amateur photography in in 1903.27 But it was not until the holidays. The ability of the camera gendered terms: women documented passing of the Women’s Disabilities to take snaps of holidays and home events of personal significance on the Removal Act in 1903, which clarified life was a key selling point used in home front, whereas men recorded that women could be admitted as advertisements at the time, which the experience of war. This is lawyers, that Greig became the first claimed that ‘a holiday without a reflected in one of the slogans used by woman in Australia to be admitted to Kodak is a holiday wasted’19 and Kodak in advertisements for the Vest the profession (in 1905).28 ‘Give a woman a Kodak and she will Pocket Autographic camera: ‘Send Although women could now, be able to make delightful pictures of Autographic Kodak pictures to your technically, practise law in Victoria, in all her home life, her family and her soldier friend to cheer him up. And reality their opportunities were limited friends’.20 give him a Vest Pocket Autographic and, as Flos Greig explained, they Doris used her No. 3A camera to Kodak to take snapshots of his own were ‘hardly likely to make fortunes. document her time at university, her personal share in this Great War’.21 The pioneer never does’.29 Although friends, family and summer holidays. Doris completed her studies in women had already established Unlike many of the studio portraits of 1918, graduating with a Bachelor themselves in the legal profession the time, her pictures are playful and of Arts.22 This degree qualified her overseas, female lawyers were ‘still record everyday activities, rather than for membership of the Lyceum a novelty in the Commonwealth’.30 formal events. This playful tone also Club,23 an exclusive club for women Discrimination persisted well after can be seen in her portraits of World graduates and those who had Doris completed her degree in 1920. War I diggers, taken in her backyard distinguished themselves in the areas Enid Emmerson (née Druce) recalled at Glenmoore and at the university. of philanthropy, community service, her experience as a law student in the When Doris began university, the education, medicine, science or the 1920s, explaining that, throughout her war was already well under way. The arts, established in March 1912.24 whole course, she was the only woman photographs show young diggers Doris also began studying law. In in her year.31 Success for women in smiling and laughing, but of course this she was following in her father’s the legal profession relied heavily on behind this lighthearted surface the footsteps; Percival Hall had studied family connections. Enid described events portrayed have a serious side. law at the University of Melbourne how she received support from her Doris captured images of soldiers at before being admitted to practise as husband, Keith McLaren Emmerson, ease, including her brother Hugh. a solicitor in 1889.25 Doris’s brother also a law student and later a solicitor, Kodak also advertised the No. 3A Hugh Hall also graduated with and her father, William Ernest Druce, camera for taking photographs to a law degree from Melbourne, in a solicitor.32 Enid completed her law send to soldiers overseas, as a way of 1918.26 Very few women studied law degree in 1926 and was able to do her recalling domestic scenes. The role in Victoria at this time; Grata Flos articles at her father’s firm,33 although of women was seen as a spectator Matilda Greig (1880–1958) had led her experience there was far from

30 University of Melbourne Collections, issue 16, June 2015 No. 3A Folding Pocket Kodak camera, Model C, with leather case, c. 1910. Reference no. 1975.0048, Doris McKellar Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.

Geoff Laurenson, ‘ “Give a woman a Kodak” ’ 31 Attributed to Doris Hall, Doris Hall throwing a snowball, c. 1917, nitrate negative. NN242, reference no. 1975.0048, Doris McKellar Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.

ideal at first, and she was not taken Although Doris’s father was also used his influence to get a firm to seriously. She recalled being given a solicitor, it is unclear whether hire his daughter. Whatever the tasks such as ‘delivering letters and she received similar support and case, Doris was finally admitted as a going to other firms with documents, opportunities. Percival St John Hall barrister and solicitor of the Supreme and going up to the Titles Office—I was still practising at this time, in the Court of Victoria in October 1922.38 learnt a lot about probate and National Mutual Life Association In 1921 Doris had joined the conveyancing work, but I really Building at 395 Collins Street, Victorian Women Graduates’ think it was difficult for my father Melbourne,36 but we do not know Association (VWGA),39 which was to feel he could give me work of any whether Doris served her articles formed in November 1920 at the substance’.34 This did not change with him. Percival served in a number Lyceum Club. She was involved in when she completed her articles, and of prominent public service roles, advocacy, promotion of research, she only found success after starting including as the mayor of Caulfield facilitation of communication, and a firm in partnership with her (1910–12) and on the Metropolitan ‘stimulat[ing] the interest of women husband, Keith.35 Board of Works,37 and perhaps he in municipal and public life’.40 Many

32 University of Melbourne Collections, issue 16, June 2015 Attributed to Doris Hall, Students of the English 3 class outside old Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne, 1917, nitrate negative. NN194, reference no. 1975.0048, Doris McKellar Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.

leading academics were members, On 26 November 1925 Doris gave birth to a son, Ian Campbell including Jessie Webb, Dr Georgina Hall married Rolfe Warren McKellar McKellar.46 Doris continued to Sweet and Flos Greig. It was not (son of John Denis McKellar, an participate in the VWGA as long after joining that Doris became influential figure in the publishing honorary secretary for many years, involved in the committee of the industry, who later succeeded his and was also on the council of VWGA, first as assistant honorary father as managing director of Stock University Women’s College (now secretary, then as honorary secretary and Land journal).44 Soon after her University College).47 During and later as president.41 The VWGA marriage, Doris’s legal career came World War II she assisted with the also aimed at ‘uniting the educated to an end and, in her own words, management of Stockland Press, and women of different countries’42 and ‘household duties claimed her’.45 was chairman while her husband was in 1923 helped with the appeal to Doris and Rolfe moved into away on military service.48 buy Crosby Hall in London to use as ‘Carramar’, a house built on some In 1975 Doris donated her accommodation for women university land near Glenmoore, given to collection of photographs and camera students.43 them by her father. In 1932 Doris equipment to the University of

Geoff Laurenson, ‘ “Give a woman a Kodak” ’ 33 Attributed to Doris Hall, Doris Hall and Pollie Turnbull with two soldiers in front of old Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne, c. 1915, nitrate negative. NN213, reference no. 1975.0048, Doris McKellar Collection, University of Melbourne Archives.

Melbourne Archives. The collection 9 Kelly Farley, Degrees of liberation: A short 27 Farley, Degrees of liberation, p. 20. includes four Kodak albums of prints, history of women in the University of Melbourne, 28 Farley, Degrees of liberation, p. 21. The Women Graduates Centenary Committee 29 Flos Greig, ‘The law as a profession for around 500 negatives, a Kodak of the University of Melbourne, 1985, p. 39. women’, Commonwealth Law Review, developing tank and her camera 10 Farley, Degrees of liberation, p. 69. March–April 1909, p. 154. (see p. 31). The photographs in the 11 Crase (Turnbull), Mary Lotte, student 30 Greig, ‘The law as a profession for women’, record card. Unit 14, reference no. p. 147. collection depict the University of 1991.0066, University of Melbourne Student 31 Oral history of the Lyceum Club—interview Melbourne campus, Glenmoore, Administration (formerly Student Records) with Mrs K. Emmerson, 12 December 1986, trips to rural Victoria (farm, beach 1855–1975, University of Melbourne Archives. p. 5. MS11270, Lyceum Club Collection, and snow scenes at places including 12 McKellar (Hall), Doris Winifred, student State Library of Victoria. record card, 1915. Unit 1, reference no. 32 Interview with Mrs K. Emmerson, p. 6. Doreen, Trafalgar, Lorne and 1988.0051, University of Melbourne Student 33 Interview with Mrs K. Emmerson, p. 6. Wilson’s Promontory), and her family Administration (formerly Student Records) 34 Interview with Mrs K. Emmerson, p. 7. and friends. Doris McKellar died in 1855–1957, University of Melbourne Archives. 35 Interview with Mrs K. Emmerson, p. 7. 13 Alan Elliott, A century exposed: One hundred 36 ‘Public notice’, Healesville and Yarra Glen 1984. years of the Melbourne Camera Club, Melbourne Guardian, 4 August 1923, p. 1. Camera Club, 1991, p. 2. 37 ‘Death of Cr. P. St. J. Hall, of Caulfield: Geoff Laurenson is a professional library cadet 14 Barbara Hall and Jenni Mather, Australian A record of faithful public service’, Prahran (research and collections) at the University of women photographers 1840–1960, Melbourne: Telegraph, 28 March 1929, p. 2. Melbourne. Greenhouse Publications, 1986, p. 156. 38 ‘Local lady barrister’, Prahran Telegraph, 15 Hall and Mather, Australian women 6 October 1922, p. 9. photographers, p. 157. 39 McKellar, (Mrs) R.W., Victorian Women 1 R.J.W. Selleck, The Shop: The University of 16 Hall and Mather, Australian women Graduates’ Association, 1921, membership Melbourne 1850–1939, Melbourne University photographers, p. 156. record card. Box 50, reference no. 1975.0041, Press, 2003, p. 174. 17 ‘Don’t waste your holidays this year—take a Victorian Women Graduates’ Association 2 Anne Latreille, ‘Living with history: Kodak!’, Punch, 10 September 1914, p. 9. (formerly Australian Federation of University Glenmoore survived the sprawl’, Age, 18 ‘Don’t waste your holidays this year’. Women) 1922–1974, University of 26 March 1971, p. 21. 19 ‘Don’t waste your holidays this year’. Melbourne Archives. 3 ‘Marriage Hall–Moore’, Argus, 8 July 1895, 20 Punch , 17 December 1914, p. 16. 40 ‘Items of interest’, Argus, 5 November 1920, p. 1. 21 Punch , 9 March 1916, p. 27. p. 8. 4 Barbara W. Milne and Doris W. McKellar, 22 McKellar (Hall), Doris Winifred, student 41 Milne and McKellar, Cromarty School for Cromarty School for Girls, 1897–1923, record card. Girls, p. 19. Melbourne: Stockland Press, 1972, p. 2. 23 Miss Doris W. Hall—Form of application 42 Thorn and McKellar, ‘University women’, 5 Milne and McKellar, Cromarty School for for admittance as member to Lyceum Club, p. 121. Girls, p. 67. Melbourne, 1918. MS11270, box 9, Lyceum 43 Sydney Morning Herald, 20 August 1923, 6 Milne and McKellar, Cromarty School for Club Collection, State Library of Victoria. p. 8. Girls, p. 18. 24 Joan M. Gillison, A history of the Lyceum Club, 44 ‘Marriage McKellar–Hall’, Argus, 7 ‘University of Melbourne Senior Public Melbourne: Lyceum Club, p. 1. 21 December 1925, p. 1. Examination, December 1914, class lists’, 25 ‘Town news’, Australasian, 7 September 1889, 45 Milne and McKellar, Cromarty School for Argus, 12 February 1915, p. 4. p. 49. Girls, p. 19. 8 Frances Thorn and Doris W. McKellar, 26 Hall, Hugh Percival, student record card, 1916. 46 Argus , 16 September 1932, p. 1. ‘University women’, in Frances Fraser and Unit 1, reference no. 1988.0051, University of 47 Milne and McKellar, Cromarty School for Nettie Palmer (eds), Centenary gift book, Melbourne Student Administration (formerly Girls, p. 19. Melbourne: Robertson & Mullens for the Student Records) 1855–1957, University of 48 Milne and McKellar, Cromarty School for Women’s Centenary Council, 1934, p. 117. Melbourne Archives. Girls, p. 19.

34 University of Melbourne Collections, issue 16, June 2015