Makers: Dena Burdett and Joan Barbalich

Panel number: 431

Petition sheet number: 522

Person honouring: L.W. Dalrymple

Relationship to makers: None

Learmonth was born in Scotland about 1827 and travelled to New Zealand in 1853 with her wealthy father and seven siblings.  

Learmonth was interested in education, especially the education of young women. When Otago Boys High opened in 1863 she started petitioning for a similar institution to be opened for young women. Otago Girls High School opened 6 February 1871. 

She also worked behind the scenes to see Otago University be the first university in Australasia to admit women into its programmes.

Learmonth died in 1906, aged 79 years.

Panel materials:  Recycled materials.