Edith Lilian (Elder) Bolte DBE (1906 - 1986)

Born 5 Jun 1906 in Skipton, Victoria, Australia

Wife of Henry Edward Bolte GCMG — married 24 Nov 1934 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Died 14 Aug 1986 at age 80 in Queensland, Australia

Biography

Edith (Elder) Bolte DBE is Notable.

Edith Lilian 'Jill' Elder was born on 5th June 1906 in Skipton, Victoria, Australia. She was the only daughter of Daniel Elder and Lilian Moss. ^[1] Her mother died in childbirth two years later.

Jill married her next-door neighbour and long-term boyfriend Henry Bolte on 24th November 1934 in Scots Presbyterian Church, Ballarat, ^[2] following which they moved onto his 900 acres (364 ha) farm, Kialla, nearby at Bamganie. Jill may have delayed marriage to care for her father, who never married again and died earlier in 1934. Her older brother had married two years previously and younger brother likewise in 1935.

Henry became Premier of Victoria in 1955 after entering Parliament eight years previously. Jill was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours 1959 in 'recognition of service to social welfare'. ^[3] When Henry was knighted in 1966, Jill became entitled as Lady Bolte. She was created Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year's Honours 1973 in recognition of her 'public service to Victoria', entitling her as Dame Bolte. ^[4]

Aged about 80 years, she passed away on 14th August 1986 in Queensland ^[5] and her ashes have been placed in Skipton Cemetery. ^[6] Having remained childless and having outlived both of her brothers, Jill was survived by Henry.

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria Birth Index #22139/1906
2. ↑ Victoria BDM, Marriage Reg. 12357/1934
3. ↑ Australian Honours: CBE; accessed 29 Jul 2021
4. ↑ Australian Honours: DBE; accessed 29 Jul 2021
5. ↑ Queensland Death Index #1986/55563
6. ↑ Find-a-Grave; accessed 29 Jul 2021