Georgina Sweet - University Career

University Career

Sweet was taught biology in high schools while studying; she was employed by the University from 1898 when she began work as a demonstrator, she lectured at Queen's College from 1901 to 1908 until she was offered a position in the university faculty. She lectured in both biology and parasitology and bore a heavy workload due to the periodic absence of the faculties professors . She became second-in-charge of the biology school when Thomas Sergeant Hall died in 1915, and served as November 1916 to March 1917 she was Australia's first female acting professor when Baldwin Spencer took leave. She was encouraged to apply to take his position permanently, but was not successful with the position going to W. E. Agar. She was promoted to associate-professor in 1920 and was the first woman to hold such a senior academic position at the university; however due to stress and over-work she had to apply for sick leave in 1921, she worked part-time from 1924 and retired in 1926.

After leaving teaching Sweet continued to be involved in university life. She was active in the Graduates' Association and was involved in the provisional council for the establishment of the University Women's College for 20 years. The first stone of the Georgina Sweet wing was laid in 1936 and in the following year the first nondenominational hall of residence affiliated with the University opened. In 1936 she was the first woman elected to the University Council.