Originally transcribed as Alice Rowling
Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Alice Gertrude Bowling was born in 1871 in Melbourne, Australia – the daughter of John Reed Bowling and Bessie Johnson Gibbs.
She came to New Zealand as a young child and grew up in Dunedin.
She was appointed to a position as pupil teacher at Macandrew Road School in 1888 and she also took lessons at the Dunedin School of Art.
When Alice signed the suffrage petition, she was living with her family in High St, Caversham.
In 1893 she was appointed as head teacher at Glenkenich School. She later taught at North East Valley, Cromwell, Mosgiel, Caversham, Albany Street School and again at North East Valley School.
In 1925 she resigned, and a testimonial said her 'connection with the school has extended over a number of years, during which the relations between herself, the various committees, and the children have been of the most pleasant character. In the social side of school work Miss Bowling had been keenly interested, and in this department her loss will be seriously felt'.
In the late 1930s Alice went on a tour abroad after which she went to live with her sister in Westport for a time.
She returned to Dunedin and was active in the Otago Women’s Club for many years.
Alice died in Dunedin on 20 April 1950 – she was cremated at Anderson Bay Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
BDM Victoria https://online.justice.vic.gov.au