The role of women in the period up until 1914 was almost entirely that of housewife and nursemaid. Many Australian girls married at about 18 years of age, girls from less well-off families tended to marry at a younger age. The age of consent for girls, up until 1914, was fourteen. The labour intensive nature of housework (there were no electrical appliances) allowed little time for married women to be involved in any activities apart from family and the home. Clothes were usually washed by hand and the family wash could take a whole day.

Politicians and businesspeople generally disapproved of allowing women a role that might take them away from their child-rearing and housekeeping duties. Just...