Caroline Chisholm (née Jones, 1808–1877), philanthropist and political agitator, spent almost two decades working to improve conditions for immigrants to Australia. Interested in welfare work from a young age, she came to Sydney in July 1838 with her husband and two sons, having spent the previous five years in India. Shocked by the conditions faced by single women immigrants in New South Wales, she resolved ‘never to rest until decent protection was afforded them’. She began by taking newly-arrived women into her own home and in 1841 opened the Female Immigrants’ Home, which provided shelter and operated as an employment agency. Despite official indifference, prejudice against her Catholicism, and hostility from squatters, Chisholm led convoys of horse-drawn vehicles into rural areas, settling people on farms. By 1842, she claimed to have helped ‘upwards of 2000 persons’ find homes, husbands and employment. Back in England from 1846, she continued lobbying, indefatigably, on behalf of assisted immigrants, eventually becoming one of the best-known women in England. She returned to Australia in 1854 and busied herself on the Victorian goldfields, but during her second long stay she became sick, struggled financially, opened a girls’ school and faded into relative obscurity.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Here’s a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more!
We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building the amazing portrait collection!
