| Creator: |
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| Date of birth: |
25 December 1891 |
| Place of birth: |
South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Date of death: |
9 August 1978 |
| Place of death: |
South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Biography: |
Vera Deakin was the youngest daughter of Victorian-born Alfred Deakin (1856-1919), barrister and later Prime Minister of Australia, and Elizabeth Martha Anne (‘Pattie’) Deakin (nee Browne).
She attended the University of Melbourne studying English literature, but her principle interest was cello and singing. In 1912 she travelled in Europe to pursue her musical studies adn was there when World War 1 broke out. Returning to Australian she joined the local Branch of the British Red Cross Society, but soon sought war work abroad. She was invited to Cairo where she opened the Australian Wounded and Missing Inquiry Bureau, which later moved its headquarters to London. For her work, helping thousands of soldiers and families, she was appointed an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1918.
Returning to Australia she held numerous senior positions in the Red Cross including Commandant of the Victorian Division (1938-1945), National Vice-Chairman (1945-1950, 1964-1966) and chairman of the Music Therapy Service (1950). Awarded an honorary life membership in 1945. Additionally, she worked on the management committee of the Royal Children's Hospital, and was President (1961-1965) of the Victorian Society for Crippled Children and Adults. She foresaw the need for the Emergency Service Corps after WW2 and in the 1970s was instrumental in establishing the Red Cross Music Therapy Service amongst other initiatives. Her work in Cairo, Egypt and in London, England with in the Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau during the First World War became the foundation of the Australian Red Cross Enquiry Bureau, work that has continued throughout the organization’s history.
She married Sir Thomas Walter White (1988-1957) in 1920, together having four daughters. Her husband became the Australian High Commissioner in London (1951-1956), after his knighthood in 1952, she was entitled to be known as Lady White. Lady White remained an active worker for Australian Red Cross throughout her life retiring in 1977. |
| Activities/Occupation: |
Charities |
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