Esther Lipman née Solomon (6 April 1900 – 27 January 1991), was a significant figure in the history of Adelaide. Noted for her support of various civic, cultural and charitable bodies, she was Adelaide's first woman councillor, alderman and Deputy Mayor. After the death of her husband she married another two times, being subsequently known as Esther Cook, and Lady Esther Jacobs or Lipman-Jacobs.

History

Esther Solomon was born at Robe Terrace,

Medindie, South Australia Medindie (formerly also known as Medindee or Medindi) is an inner northern suburb of Adelaide the capital of South Australia. It is located adjacent to the Adelaide Park Lands, just north of North Adelaide, and is bounded by Robe Terrace to the ...

the third child of the politician Vaiben Louis Solomon and his wife Alice née Cohen ( – 19 May 1954). *During the war she was honorary secretary of the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund and leader of the Auxiliary Women Police *She was president of the Hackney Free Kindergarten, and a member of the executive of the Kindergarten Union. She served as vice president, deputy chairman and acting chairman in the absence of Mrs. Stanley Verco. *The Emergency Maternity Hospital at Mile End was established largely at her instigation. *She was for many years chairman of the women's committee of the SA Lawn Tennis Association, and was with Mrs. K. L. Litchfield one of two women on the Davis Cup committee in 1952. She was a regular player with the Toorak Tennis Club and was an associate at Kooyonga. *In 1954 she succeeded Ruth Gibson as president of the National Council of Women after serving as vice-president for many years. *She was elected to the Adelaide City Council as councillor in 1956 and alderman in 1969, and served for 22 years, including a term as Deputy Lord Mayor and on occasion Acting Lord Mayor. She founded the Local Government Women's Association and was chairman of the Parks and Gardens Committee and served on the Board of Governors of the

Adelaide Festival of Arts The Adelaide Festival of Arts, also known as the Adelaide Festival, an arts festival, takes place in the South Australian capital of Adelaide in March each year. Started in 1960, it is a major celebration of the arts and a significant cultural ...

from 1962 to 1972 as a Council representative.

Family

Esther married dentist Hyam John "Boy" Lipman (11 January 1889 – 16 March 1960) on 9 April 1919. Lipman's brother, J A Lipman, married Esther's cousin Gertrude. They had three children: *Alice Sylvia Lipman (1920– ) *Gerald John Lipman (1921–1928) * Dr Rex John Lipman, AO ED (26 April 1922 – 4 July 2015) Her second marriage was to Harrold Cook. Her third marriage was to Sir Roland Ellis "Raoul" Jacobs (28 February 1891 – 28 June 1981) on 30 November 1970.

Recognition

Esther Lipman was made a Member of the

Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...

in the 1946 New Year's Honours list and promoted to Officer in the 1978 New Year's Honours. She was one of eighteen women, chosen for their public service, to be received by

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...

in Adelaide during the Royal Visit of 1954. The Esther Lipman Garden, located near the

Torrens Parade Ground Torrens Parade Ground, which includes the former Torrens Training Depot and Drill Hall, is a former military facility located in Adelaide, South Australia. Location and description The Parade Ground lies behind Government House, between King Wi ...

, was created in 1990 in her honour. It features a bust in her likeness created by sculptor Ken Martin.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lipman, Esther History of Adelaide South Australian local councillors 1900 births 1991 deaths Jewish Australian politicians 20th-century Australian politicians 20th-century Australian women politicians Women local councillors in Australia Australian Officers of the Order of the British Empire Deputy mayors of places in Australia