Kate Cocks

Fanny Kate Boadicea Cocks, the daughter of Anthony, a Cornish miner, and Elizabeth nee George was born at Moonta on 5 May 1875.
Cocks trained as a teacher and took up a position with the South Australian Education Department and taught at several schools.
She joined the State Childrens Department as a teacher and worked at the Edwardstown Industrial School as the Assistant Matron. The current subdivision of Windana Mews (see foot of this page) along with the Glandore Community Centre now occupy the land previously occupied by the Edwardstown Industrial School.
Her work with the disadvantaged children led to a position with the Juvenile Courts as the very first probation officer.
In 1915 the Government decided to address the issues of women and youth with the creation of women police officers and Kate was appointed to head the section with the rank of Principal Police Matron and took office on 1 December 1915 becoming the first woman police officer anywhere in the then British Empire.
The Women Police Office at 9 Landrowna Terrace was located on the south eastern corner of Victoria Square, occupying the ground floor, rented for ten shillings per week, was furnished with a table, three chairs, a sideboard with drawers, two pens and a large quantity of ink in a whisky bottle. Kate believed that a uniform would be a disadvantage in the type of work envisaged for the women police. Their kit consisted of a police whistle, baton and identification card. No formal training was given and their knowledge of the law was gained through experience or reading law books in off duty hours.
When she retired in May 1935 women police were a recognised feature of policing in the interests of women and youth. Despite Kate's appointment being on the principle of same pay, same conditions and powers of a male officer, in reality the concept of women officers being involved in general policing had yet to occur. This was largely the result of Kate's own emphasis on the work she saw as important rather than initial government policy.
Retirement saw Kate establish with the help of the Methodist Church, a home at Brighton for young unmarried mothers to be. The home did not offer confinement facilities. It is said that Kate would loan her mothers wedding ring to each girl so that she would not appear to other new mothers to be unmarried when admitted to hospital for her confinement!
Kate Cocks who never married, died 20 August 1954 and was buried in the Payneham Cemetery. The home at Brighton was a beneficiary of Kate Cocks' Will and the home was renamed in her honour.