Ros Bower

Ros Bower
Born
Helen Rosalie Stephenson

28 January 1923
Coonabarabran
Died19 May 1980 (aged 57)
South Yarra
NationalityAustralian
Other namesRosalie Stephenson
EducationRavenswood Methodist Ladies' College, University of Sydney
OccupationTelevision producer
Known forcommunity arts
Spouse(s)Wallace Frederick Warne (1946–1956)
Herbert Michael Bower (1956–her death)

Helen Rosalie Bower known as Ros Bower and (Helen) Rosalie Stephenson (28 January 1923 – 19 May 1980) was an Australian writer and television producer. She was the inaugural director of the community arts board. The Ros Bower Award for Community arts and cultural development was named in her honour.

Life

Bower was born in 1923 in the town of Coonabarabran in New South Wales. Her English-born parents were Minnie (born Tidswell) and Edward Lionel Stephenson. She was taught on the family farm until she went to school at Ravenswood Methodist Ladies' College. From there she went on to work as a reporter while also studying to graduate from the University of Sydney.[1]

In 1956 her first decade long marriage ended and she married Herbert Michael Bower who was a physician.[1] In the following year she began working as a Television producer. She produced the Australia version of the panel show Tell the Truth for HSV-7. She was also paid for writing scripts. She continued to produce shows until 1968.[1]

In 1969 she joined the Australian Council for the Arts as a consultant and in 1970 she published her book "Women in Australian Society" which she chose to publish under her original name of Rosalie Stephenson.[2]

In May 1978, Bower was the inaugural director of the community arts board.[1] Under her leadership the board was known for empowering people who had little social capital including migrants and aboriginals.[3]

Death and legacy

Bower died in South Yarra in 1980 from cancer. Two sons survived her.[1] The Ros Bower Award was created to recognise contributions to Australian "Community arts and cultural development"[4] and first awarded in 1981[5] to Domenic Mico.[6] The 2023 Ros Bower award was won by Jacinta Mooney for her work improving community and cultural development in the Northern Territory.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Hull, Andrea, "Helen Rosalie (Ros) Bower (1923–1980)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2024-09-12
  2. ^ Stephenson, Rosalie (1970). Women in Australian Society. Heinemann Educational Australia.
  3. ^ Allen, Johnny; Harris, Robert; Jago, Leo (2022-05-23). Festival & Special Event Management, Essentials Edition. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-7303-6940-0.
  4. ^ Austlit. "Australia Council Grants, Awards and Fellowships - Ros Bower Award | AustLit: Discover Australian Stories". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  5. ^ "LIFE STYLE 'Inspiration' package will tour schools - NOTES AND QUOTES - The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 26 Nov 1981". Canberra Times. 26 November 1981. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  6. ^ "Mico's new venture at Canberry Fair". Canberra Times. 1981-12-20. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  7. ^ "Creative Australia Awards". Creative Australia. Retrieved 2024-09-13.