née Lambert, she was an Australian biologist, academic and leader of the kindergarten movement in Australia. She was the first woman ever appointed lecturer at Melbourne University.

Ada Mary Lambert was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the eldest daughter of Rev. Henry John Lambert and Helen Lambert, née Garrett.

Ada was the second woman to graduate in Science at Melboune University, and she was the university’s first appointment of a woman as lecturer.

In 1903 Ada married solicitor Thomas Archibald á Beckett and she resigned her position. They had three sons. Two years after the birth of her third son, she returned to teaching and led the biology department at Melbourne University. She was a founder of the Free Kindergarden Union and served it for 40 years. She was also president of the Australian Association for Pre-school Child Development.

A kindergarten in Port Melbourne and a scholarship for kindergarten teachers are named in her honour.

ROSA CACHO – ENGLISH FOR FUN 3B