Alice Christina Irvine

Alice Christina Irvine (12 May 1879 – 12 November 1940) was an Australian domestic science teacher and author of the Central Cookery Book.

Life Irvine was the third daughter of Peter and Flora (née McLaurin) Irvine. She was born on 12 May 1879 in Mathinna, Tasmania where her father was manager of a gold mine. She completed her schooling at Mangana State School and was employed as a monitor at Mathinna School in April 1897. She moved to West Zeehan State School in 1898 and then Burnie in 1902.

In 1906 the Tasmanian education department sent her and fellow teacher Frances A Stevenson to the Continuation School in Melbourne run by Flora Pell to learn the curriculum and teaching methods in readiness for the opening of cookery schools in Hobart and Launceston. Irvine took charge of the Launceston Cookery School from its opening in October 1907. She taught 20 girls from local schools one day a week for six months.

In 1934 Irvine was invited to speak on cookery on Hobart's 7ZL and her talks became a regular feature. In May 1939 she had a weekly time-slot for Cookery, which she continued until July 1940.

Irvine's contribution to education was recognised when she was posthumously inducted onto the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2009.

Irvine died on 12 November 1940 in hospital in South Hobart.