At 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø's 1948-1951; Prefect and Bede House Captain
Despite her Speech and Drama teaching qualifications, Judith Ross-Smith (nee Booth) spent most of her working life as a bookseller, developing her own educational and general bookshop. She later managed the university bookshop at University of New England. Throughout her careers, she also spent some years in print journalism. She was a member of the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian College of Educators.
Judith’s many public activities included the presidencies of Armidale Chamber of Commerce and the award-winning Armidale Arts Festival, as well as involvement in the schools of her four children as a president of TAS P&F, and 15 years on the NEGS’ School Council.
In 1992, Judith was awarded an OAM for her services to the community in Armidale for her work chairing a fundraising committee to build a community-based 24 bed dementia unit and for assisting in the managing of the Armidale Biennial Arts Festival, which won a NSW government Award for Excellence.
In a 36-year commitment to a century old organisation for the advancement of women, Zonta International, she held leading roles at club, district, and international levels.
Retired in 1997, Judith has since written a major book on the history of theatre in Armidale, edited family letters for publication, written a monthly travel column for the Armidale Express, and chaired a committee to establish a performing arts centre. Now returned to Queensland she has been active in Maleny Arts Council, writing, and continuing her Zonta work.
Judith attributes her lifelong interest in English and history, her passion for the theatre (on stage and off), her organisational skills and, importantly, her sense of community responsibility, to her 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s experience. Her mother Alexandra Wood was also an Old Girl along with her aunt Coralie Wood and cousin Berenice Johnston.
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