Dame Ruby Litchfield DBE

Dame Ruby Litchfield (1912-2001) was the first woman appointed to the Board of the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust in 1971, a foundation member of Festival City Broadcasters and a board member the Adelaide Festival of Arts, the South Australian Housing Trust and the Carclew Youth Performing Arts Centre.

Educated at North Adelaide Primary School and Presbyterian Girls’ College, she took dancing and elocution lessons from an early age. Litchfield directed thirty-five plays for the Adelaide Repertory Theatre and was made a life member in 1967. She was South Australian hard-court tennis champion from 1932-1935, President of the Sportswomen’s Association (1969-74) and a member of South Australia’s Davis Cup Committee. She worked with numerous charities, many benefiting children.

The annual Ruby Awards recognising artistic excellence, creative achievement, innovation, community involvement and inspirational leadership are named in her honour. Litchfield is one of just three South Australian women awarded Dame of the British Empire.

Celebrating 125 years of women's suffrage in South Australia.

Image: State Library of South Australia, Vic Grimmett photographer, PRG 1662/10/463/2, 1961