Williamstown Notables - Dorothy Waite O.B.E.

Born: 13th February, 1892, Beaconsfield, Tasmania

Died: 3rd April, 1992, Williamstown, Victoria

Dorothy Waight (nee Rhatigan) was born in Beaconsfield, Tasmania on 13^th February 1892. The eldest daughter of John, a miner and Harriett Harvey (nee Hughes) a widow with a young son.

The family moved to Victoria, and in 1920, Dorothy met and married William John Waight (d.1962). The newlyweds settled in Newport, purchasing a large house on The Strand, Newport, known as Sea Gates. Dorothy and William had two children, Dorothy Winifred Mary Waight (born c1928), and John Rhatigan Waight, (born 1930, died in infancy). 

An expert horse rider and shooter, Dorothy was captain of both the Ladies Riding and Driving Club and the Yarraville Ladies Rifle Club.

Dorothy Waight dedicated her life to the welfare of domestic and wild animals and became involved in local environmental issues. She spent much of her time advocating for improvements to legislation related to animal rights. Dorothy established the Williamstown and District Animal Relief Society in 1946-47. It was believed that ill-treatment of horses triggered her decision to start the society, her colleague Larry Noye later recalled that it was a neglected dog named Toby who prompted her to act. After taking legal action against the dog's owner, which resulted in a prosecution, she brought together several like-minded people and formed the Society.

At this time there were only a few animal welfare organisations operating in Victoria, these included the Victorian Society for the Protection of Animals (VSPA), which was founded in 1871, and known from 1955 as the RSPCA, the Lost Dogs' Home, established in 1910, and the Lort Smith Animal Hospital, 1935.

Dorothy rented the Buffalo Lodge in Mason Street, Newport for four shillings weekly, and worked there four days a week while attracting the involvement of new members.  She hosted many functions during the 1950-60s to raise funds to build a proper clinic, including garden fairs in her large garden at Sea Gates.  A clinic was eventually built in Derwent Street, Newport on the site of the Newport Football Ground. She recruited Irish veterinarian Dr. Sam Green to attend the clinic on Mondays and Thursdays.

Dorothy Waight remained at the helm of the Williamstown and District Animal Relief Society for much of its existence, assisted by a group of dedicated, members, the majority being women from the local area.  By the 1970s they felt the football ground location was becoming dangerous as thefts were occurring from the Society’s rooms and break-ins were a constant threat.  They sought the Williamstown Council’s help in finding new rooms, and in late 1975 the rear of ‘the old electrical substation site in Collingwood Road’ was offered, plus a council grant of $3,000 towards constructing a new clinic.  A further $5,000 was contributed by the Society.  Soon afterwards, a fire destroyed the Society’s premises at the football ground.

The Mayor of Williamstown, Cr. P. T. Lalor, opened the new, purpose-built clinic on 3 April 1977.  An article on the front page of the local newspaper, the Williamstown Advertiser, announced its opening at 6 Home Road, Newport.  A veterinary surgeon attended the centre and when animal owners couldn’t afford the usual fees, they were subsidised by the District Animal Relief Society.

Dorothy actively campaigned in the 1970s to preserve the natural and cultural values of the Williamstown foreshore. She opposed the construction of the Newport Power Station by the State Electricity Commission.

In 1978 Dorothy Waight was awarded The Order of the British Empire (Civil) for her work in animal welfare.

The service provided by the Animal Relief Clinic continued for many years and probably stopped when the Society folded in Dorothy’s final years. Dr.Hugh Wirth of the RSPCA recalls he attended the Society’s final meeting when Dorothy was still alive, but ailing. 

At the age of 97, Dorothy fell and broke her hip while gardening. As a result, she spent the rest of her life at Hazeldean Nursing Home located on Osborne Street in Williamstown.

On her 100th birthday, Dorothy was rewarded with a letter of thanks from HRH Princess Michael of Kent, also President of the Dogs’ Home Battersea. 

She died six weeks after her centenary, on 3 April 1992. 

She was survived by her daughter, Dorothy Hellier and son-in-law, Ted; granddaughter, Marion Farrell and great-granddaughter, Diana. William Waight, her husband died in 1962. 

Among the obituaries in the Age and Herald-Sun newspapers, were two by the Committee and Members of the former Williamstown and District Animal Relief Society.  They affirmed Dorothy as the ‘founder’ of their Society in 1946 and described her as a ‘woman for all seasons’.  A funeral service was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Nelson Place, Williamstown followed by a burial ceremony at the Williamstown Cemetery.

Dorothy Waight lived a long and interesting life.  She was a vocal and passionate advocate for the environment and animal welfare, with a strong and recognisable presence in the local community. Her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to these causes earned her frequent appearances in local newspapers and widespread recognition among municipal councillors and animal protection organisations throughout Victoria, including her O.B.E.(Civil Division).

References:

• Header image - 10 Feb 1977, aged 85
• Tasmania BDM and Victoria BDM
• Historical assessment of 6 Home Road, Newport by Michele Summerton, © Historica & Alinta, August 2007
• Williamstown Advertiser
• Williamstown Chronicle
• The Age Newspaper
• Real Estate Website