Elizabeth Phillips Austin

Elizabeth Phillips Austin, (; 14 August 1821 — 2 September 1910), was an Australian pioneer and philanthropist, who endowed hospitals in the state of Victoria.

Life Austin was born at Middle Chinnock, Somerset, England to parents, Robert Harding, yeoman farmer, and his wife Mary, née Phillips. Alongside her brother, William, they took passage to Port Phillip District, Australia in 1841 and squatted land near Winchelsea. Reportedly the Austins had felt embarrassed by this visit and felt they needed a grander home for hosting guests. In 1869-71 they built a mansion at Barwon Park, designed by Davidson & Henderson.

Philanthropist After witnessing the death of a servant from an incurable disease, Austin offered £6,000 from her inheritance towards the setting up of a hospital for "incurables" in Melbourne. The Austin Hospital for Incurables was opened on 21 January 1882 and, in 1892, with her continued financial support, a children's ward was established.

In celebration of the Queen Victoria's jubilee in 1887, Austin founded the Elizabeth Austin Cottages for "the female aged poor" at South Geelong. Along with many local charities she gave funds to the Servants' Training Institute, St Thomas's Church, Winchelsea, and the Ladies' Benevolent Society.

Austin was inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2012.