Edna Jessop
Edna Jessop | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1926-10-10 Northern Australia |
| Died | 2007-09-15 |
| Occupation(s) | Drover, wards-maid, council worker |
| Known for | First woman to lead a droving team ("Boss Drover") in 1950 |
Edna Jessop (10 October 1926 – 15 September 2007) holds the distinction of being the first woman to lead a droving team in 1950, earning her the title of "Boss Drover".
Biography
Edna Zigenbine was born into a family deeply involved in droving across northern Australia's stock routes, including regions in Western Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern Western Australia. She was the second of eight siblings. Despite lacking formal education, their mother ensured they learned to read and write.
Jessop gained widespread recognition both nationally and internationally in 1950 when she assumed responsibility for driving 1,550 cattle from Bedford Downs Station in Western Australia to Dajarra, Queensland, traversing the 2,240-kilometre Murranji Track. This occurred after her father Harry was unable to continue due to reasons reported variously as illness, injury from a fall, or incapacitation following a bar fight; he was subsequently hospitalized at Tennant Creek.
Prior to departure, the local postmaster captured photographs of Jessop and her team, which helped generate considerable media interest throughout the journey. At just 23 years old, she stood out as a skilled female drover managing a significant cattle drive. The six-month expedition concluded successfully without any loss of livestock, and she received a warm reception upon returning to Tennant Creek. Afterwards, Jessop took up work as a wards-maid (sometimes described as a waitress) at Tennant Creek Hospital.
In 1952, she married John Jessop, also a drover. Following their separation and eventual divorce due to his struggles with alcohol, Edna moved to the Mount Isa region in 1960 to provide educational opportunities for their son, Jack. While there, she held various positions including employment with Mount Isa City Council.
Jessop was profiled in a 1981 feature article in The Australian Women's Weekly entitled "[t]he woman who mastered the Outback". She died on 15 September 2007 at Mount Isa Hospital after a brief fight with cancer and was interred wearing her bridle and hat.
Her legacy is commemorated at the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.
Songs
Jessop has been immortalized in two songs:
- Edna by Ted Egan
- Give my regards to Edna written by Stan Coster and performed by Slim Dusty