Ruth Fairfax

Ruth Beatrice Fairfax OBE (8 October 1878 – 1 February 1948) was a founding member of the Australian Country Women's Association and the first President of the CWA's Queensland branch. The federal electorate of Fairfax is named in her honour.

Fairfax was born Ruth Beatrice Dowling to Frances Emily Dowling née Breillat and Vincent James Dowling on 8 October 1878, in the small town of Lue, near the larger town of Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia. She was educated at by home by governesses, and also attended Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School.

Ruth Dowling and John Hubert Fraser Fairfax were married on 2 February 1899, an occasion "for great rejoicing, because it was the wedding day of the popular and universally-beloved daughter of the Squire of Lue, Miss Dowling, whose hand was claimed by Mr. Hubert Fairfax, son of Sir James Fairfax, of the Sydney Morning Herald." The Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative reported that the bride was "beautiful in a dress of white duchesse satin, trimmed with cream lace and chiffon and flowers on bodice. She wore a wreath of orange blossoms and heather in her hair, with diamond crescent, the gift of her father and mother, and on the bodice a diamond brooch, the gift of Sir James and Lady Fairfax, whilst the floral bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom, completed a living picture that will long be remembered by all present."

The Fairfaxs moved to a Dalmore Station near Longreach, Queensland, then in 1908 to Merinya station near Cambooya, Queensland on the Darling Downs. In 1909 their only child, Vincent was born. They travelled to England in 1912, but returned to Australia at the outbreak of the First World War.

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