Ida Muriel FORSYTH

FORSYTH, IDA (MURIEL) (née BRUMMITT) (b. Kooringa, SA, 17 Aug 1884; d. Adelaide, SA, 24 Oct 1953). Wife and collaborator of Methodist minister, writer.

Born into a medical family, Ida Brummitt trained as a nurse at the Adelaide Children's Hospital and served with the Australian Army Nurses in India during World War One (1916-17). Prior to this, she had accompanied her father, Dr Robert Brummitt, on an extensive tour of Methodist missions in Fiji (1912) (her account of the journey 'An Australian Girl in Fiji', survives in manuscript) and had studied history as a non-graduating student at the University of Adelaide.

On 29 March 1923, she married the Rev Samuel Forsyth (q.v.), and worked with him in his ministries at Mt Gambier and Unley (SA) and at the Adelaide Central Methodist Mission (Maughan Church) ( 1929-52). She complemented his pastoral work by welfare activities among women and children, notably at the Mission and at the Methodist Children's Homes, Magill. When her husband established Kuitpo Colony in 1930, she wrote newspaper articles to stimulate public interest and organised women's groups to provide regular financial support. Annual 'Kuitpo Galas' were held to raise funds, and in these activities she brought together an interdenominational body of women ranging from Roman Catholics to Quakers, Unitarians and Jews. In 1936, SA's Centenary Year, she organised a voting competition centred on 'pioneer ships' and published a series of newspaper articles on ships and settlers based on archival research.

Though very active, she maintained a low profile, and in her biography of her husband (He Came from Ireland) says little about her own immense contribution to the success of his work.

R Brummitt, A Winter Holiday in Fiji (London, 1914); Papers of the Rev S Forsyth, MLSA, PRG 8

SELECT WRITINGS: He Came from Ireland: the life story of the Rev Samuel Forsyth O.B.E.(Adelaide, 1952); Between Ourselves: a selection of broadcast talks (Adelaide, nd)

ELLIOTT FORSYTH