15 Facts About Margaret Holmes

Margaret Joan Holmes was an Australian peace activist, particularly during the Vietnam War and as part of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship.

Margaret Holmes founded the New South Wales branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in 1960, and in 2001 was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to the community.

Margaret Holmes was born into a wealthy Sydney family on 24 January 1909, the eldest of five children, and grew up in Wahroonga.

Margaret Holmes's parents were Irene Victoria Read and Dr William Henry Read.

Margaret Holmes's mother volunteered her life for good causes and she had met her husband while both of them were workers at the Sydney Medical Mission.

Margaret Holmes's father had served in Egypt and her mother was a strong supporter of Australia conscripting men to fight in the first world war.

Margaret Holmes had his medical practice and they raised six children.

In 1959, Margaret Holmes made a trip to attend the congress of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in Stockholm; she had come to know of this women's peace organisation in 1940 through articles in The Peacemaker written by Eleanor Moore.

Margaret Holmes founded the NSW Branch when she returned from the congress.

Margaret Holmes's trip included travelling to Austria for an IFOR conference, to Russia and to India.

Margaret Holmes led demonstrations including the walk-out and was a regular campaigner in downtown Sydney, participating in prayer vigils, candlelight vigils, public meetings and leaflet distribution.

Margaret Holmes's life has been documented in various oral histories and other material, some of which is held by the Australian War Memorial.

In 2001, Margaret Holmes was made a Member of the Order of Australia at the Queen's Birthday Honours, "for service to the community through organisations promoting peace, human rights and conflict resolution, particularly as a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom".

Margaret Holmes celebrated her 100th birthday on 24 January 2009 at her home in Sydney, with her six children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Margaret Holmes died on 10 September 2009 in Coffs Harbour, Australia.