User:Geraldine Woodhatch/sandbox

= Lucy Frances Kerley =

Lucy Frances Kerley (1908- 1996) was a notable academic in Chemistry, as well as being a talented artist. She was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Her education was by the Loreto Sisters at Mary’s Mount Ballarat.Kerley later gained a scholarship to attend St Mary’s Hall, run by the Loreto Sisters in Melbourne. Most of her career as a chemistry academic was spent at the University of Melbourne. Lucy was an avid book collector in many diverse areas of interest. She was awarded an MBE f or her work with the National Gallery School.

Early life and education
Kerley spent her early life in Geelong and was educated at Mary’s Mount in Ballarat where she came under the influence of the Loreto Sisters. In 1929 she gained a scholarship to attend St Mary’s Hall a university college at the University of Melbourne run by the Loreto Sisters. In 1934 she completed a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) at  the University of Melbourne followed by a Diploma in Analytical Chemistry in 1935.

Career
Most of Kerley's career was spent at the University of Melbourne, where she was a demonstrator in Chemistry, a research scientist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as well as in the Department of Biochemistry. From 1940-1945 she worked as an industrial chemist in Melbourne.

Special interests
Kerley was an avid book collector in many diverse areas of interest including art, history, travel, literature, medicine, railways, mathematics and the Middle East. After her death many of her books were left to the Francis Frewin Library, St Mary’s College, Parkville, Victoria. A bequest was made to Loreto Mary’s Mount for the restoration of the College Chapel According to a recent article in the UMA Bulletin, no. 26, January 2010, Lucy established the National Gallery School collection and added to it over many years. In 2007 The Lucy Kerley National Gallery school archive was transferred to the University of Melbourne Archives.

Titles and Honours
Kerley was awarded an MBE 1st January 1974 for her work with the National Gallery Art School