From Nova Scotia, Dr Cooper arrived in Melbourne in 1917, having been trained at the Boston University School of Homœopathic Medicine. She caused a sensation at the Melbourne Homœopathic Hospital, being their first female doctor. She was considered to be skilled as an anaesthetist. Dr Cooper became a member of the honorary medical staff at the hospital from 1921 until 1948 and was awarded an OBE for welfare work. In 1958 Dr Cooper was elected the first female mayor of the city of South Melbourne.

© Barbara Armstrong