125 stories for 125 years

Jane Wollen

Jane Wollen was the first woman to attend lectures for the intermediate examination at the college and became the first female graduate in 1897.

Like many early female pharmacists, Jane was related to a pharmacist. She was apprenticed to her father and proved to be a gifted student, winning a bronze medal in materia medica and botany, and the lecturer’s prize in botany. Her academic achievements shocked many council members and the prospect of having to offer the position of demonstrator to a woman was a possibility none had considered. The Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria had formalised the practice of giving the position of demonstrator to the Gold Medallist and honourman of the year. Five candidates entered the honour examination and Jane gained the highest mark. Unfortunately, as a woman, Jane was deemed ineligible for the position by the council.

At the prize giving, Jane, the Gold Medallist, was described as a ‘vigilant, painstaking, industrious and successful student’.

Reference: Dammery, S, She Lived in Launceston: Isobel Horner of Waratah House, 2006.

Source: Bomford, J, Victorian College of Pharmacy: 125 years of history, 1881–2006, 2006.