Elizabeth Alfred

Elizabeth Alfred (10 January 1914 – 2 February 2015) was an Anglican priest in Melbourne, Australia. She was the first woman to be ordained as a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, in 1992.

Early life and education Elizabeth Alfred was born on 10 January 1914. From 1928 to 1929 she attended Girton Grammar School in Bendigo.

Career After three years at Deaconess House, she transferred to the Mission of St John and St James in Dandenong. She was promoted to head deaconess in the Diocese of Melbourne; however, she was dissatisfied that as a woman she could not be ordained. In 1981 the Melbourne synod voted in favour of the ordination of women, and Alfred was one of a group of women who were ordained as deacons in 1986. She was ordained as a priest in 1992 The day after her ordination, Alfred celebrated the Eucharist at St. James.

Awards and honours In 2001, Alfred was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for her achievements as head deaconess and for being the first woman ordained as a priest in Melbourne.