Florence Mary Taylor

1903 to 1931

1903 to 1931

Florence (middle) with sister Annis (right) and Jane (left) on the front lawn of the Taylor home c.1910 - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

Florence Taylor in formal attire for a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 1922 - Private Collection of Diane Nash

Florence Parsons on her 24th birthday in 1903. - The Daily Telegraph 1945

Florence and George Taylor on a picnic with Australian Author Steele Rudd in 1920s. - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

Florence (right) and Annis with the company’s Chalmers car in the 1920. Despite a passion for improving traffic flow around the city, Florence never learnt to drive. - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

Florence meets Lady Denman, wife of the Governor General of Australia, at the official ceremony to name Canberra, 1913. - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

Florence (left) and Annis (left) with Jane Parsons (third left) and George Taylor (right) in theatrical dress. - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

Florence dressed for the Heart of Empire Ball in London, 1924. - The Mitchell Library

Florence in the Himalayas with Mount Everest in the background en route to Australia from Europe, late 1924. - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

Florence and George in St Mark’s Square, Venice 1922. - The Mitchell Library

Florence Taylor inspecting the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1931, six months before the official opening. - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

1932 to 1949

1932 to 1949

Lord Mayor’s reception for delegates to the Master Builder’s Conference in Brisbane 1932. Florence is the only woman present. - Building 1932

Florence at the reception in her honour upon being awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in Sydney 1939. - The Daily Telegraph

Mrs. Taylor supervises work in her printing establishment c. 1940s - The Daily Telegraph 1945

Florence in her WANS uniform during World War II. Joining her sister Annis, they learnt first aid, air raid drills and other defense skills. - Florence Taylor’s family photo album, private collection of Frank Marsh

Florence with Francis Graham Hood, chief collaborator in 1945 examining a scheme for a cultural precinct around the Art Gallery of NSW. - The Daily Telegraph 1945

Florence (centre left) at a volunteer women’s working bee, making camouflage nets during the war. - The Mitchell Library

1950 to 1955

1950 to 1955

Florence (right) with Annis in New York City, 1950. - The Mitchell Library

The First Plaque of Honour of the Master Buidlers Association of NSW was awarded to Florence Taylor in 1952. It became the basis of the Florence M. Taylor Award. - J.M. Giles, 50 years of Town Planning with Florence M. Taylor.

The staff of Building Publishing Company, in front of the company’s building in Sydney, 1950. Florence is seated in the front next to sister Annis. - The Mitchell Library

Florence at the citizen’s Appreciaiton Luncheon given in her honour in Sydney in 1955, shown greeting Elizabeth Nash, daughter of the Governor of NSW. - J.M. Giles, 50 years of Town Planning with Florence M. Taylor.

Florence at work in her office in the early 1950s. At the time she was editing building and engineering journals and arguing for greater opportunities for career women. - People 1953

Florence Taylor in 1955 - The Mitchell Library

All Photos taken from ‘Florence Taylor’s Hats’ - by Robert Freestone & Bronwyn Hanna