Hocken Digital Collections

Hanan, Elizabeth, Dame : Papers

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Reference NumberARC-0673Date1895-2024CreatorHanan, Elizabeth Ann (nee Walsh), Dame, 1937-2024DescriptionThe collection includes CVs and autobiographical papers, certificates, other personal documents, correspondence, appointment diaries, speeches and talks, papers relating to schooling and education, papers relating to overseas travel and experience in the 1960s, papers relating to the Otago Museums Trust Board, papers relating to other organisations and community activities, papers relating to playgrounds and play, papers relating to honours, papers relating to Sir John and Lady Walsh, family history publications, other genealogical papers, clippings, ephemera, photographs, and audiovisual material.
Only part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyDame Elizabeth Hanan was born Elizabeth Ann Walsh in Melbourne, Australia, on 21 August 1937. The daughter of John and Enid Walsh (nee Morris), she arrived in Dunedin in 1946, when her father (later Sir John Walsh) became Dean of the Dental School at the University of Otago. Elizabeth was educated at Columba College, Otago Girls' High School, the University of Otago, and Canterbury University College. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961.
Elizabeth worked as a secondary teacher of sciences at Avonside Girls' High School and, after overseas experience in London, at Kaikorai Valley High School. She married Murray Hanan in Dunedin on 16 April 1966. Elizabeth Hanan later worked as a laboratory supervisor and demonstrator at the University of Otago, and as a chemistry tutor at Otago Polytchnic. She returned to secondary teaching at Columba College in the 1980s.
Hanan was involved with the activities and governance of many organisations, including the Plunket Society National Executive (1974-1977), the Consumers' Institute of New Zealand Council and Board (1986-1998), the Otago Theatre Trust Board (1986-2001), the Otago Museum Trust Board (1986-2001, chairperson 1988-1999), the Fortune Theatre Board of Management (from 1995, chairperson 2003-2005), and the Electrical Workers Registration Board (1993-1998). Hanan gained a Diploma of Recreation and Sport (NZCRS) in 1983. She was convenor and founder of the Otago Play Promotion Committee (1980-1992), and National Representative for the International Association of the Child's Right to Play (1983-1995). She was a member of the University Club and the Otago Branch of Graduate Women, and served as president of both. She was a key figure in the establishment and ongoing activities of the New Zealand International Science Festival, and was its first president from 1996 to 1999.
Elected to the Dunedin City Council in 1986, Elizabeth Hanan was Deputy Mayor from 1998 to 2004. She was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the community, in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours. Hanan also received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal and the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal. She became a life member of the New Zealand International Science Festival in 2010, and was made a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2013.
Dame Elizabeth listed her recreational interests as walking, reading, computers, theatre, gardening, and genealogy. She published serveral books relating to her family history.
Dame Elizabeth Hanan died in Dunedin on 13 October 2024, aged 87. Her husband, Murray, had died in 2022. She was survived by their three children.

MS-5409/005/026.

Depicts Or Relates To

NamesHanan, Elizabeth Ann (nee Walsh), Dame, 1937-2024Walsh, John Patrick, Professor Sir, 1911-2003Walsh familyMorris familyHanan familyDunedin City CouncilSubjectsLocal Body PoliticsPoliticiansTeachersMuseumsScienceEducationPlay environmentsPlaygroundsVoyages and travels

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Hanan, Elizabeth, Dame : Papers

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