About

Betty Edith Brown was quiet and unassuming woman but was a leader in the local agricultural industry and later philanthropist. Betty was born in 1926 and grew up on her family’s farm ‘Riverview’ between Darkan and Arthur River. Betty completed her education by correspondence before attending Perth College an all-girls boarding school in Perth.

After boarding school, Betty returned and commenced working on the farm. Betty was passionate about sheep and wool. She learnt the skills from her father and gained a wool classing ticket. She was also passionate about education and in the late 60’s ran a private kindergarten for four year olds, which was later recognised as part of the Darkan District High School.

With her father passing in 1969, Betty was confronted with a defining moment in her life. She made the decision to continue the family farm and employed locals to help her carry out farming duties. Betty loved shearing time, lambing and mustering.

Betty and her family were known in the district as kind, welcoming and generous. They willingly helped neighbours during dry periods and in her later years Betty gifted substantial funds to the Darkan Museum honouring pioneering women in agriculture and the town’s pool. Since her death in 2015 the Betty Brown Scholarship fund has been established from her family’s estate to assist girls and women in the district pursue studies in agriculture, medicine and dentistry.

Betty Brown was a remarkable woman, forging pathways for women in agriculture and leaving a legacy for future girls and women to benefit from.