Winsome Shepherd - BSc
Winsome Shepherd (née Denne) graduated with a BSc in Botany and Zoology from the University (then Auckland University College) in 1942. Of the 1000 students at the University that year, only 2 women graduated with a BSc.
Winsome's father was a headmaster and then Senior Inspector of Schools. He had told his daughter that he would educate her - but then she had to earn her own living.
Winsome began earning her living as a timber technologist at the DSIR's Plant Diseases Division during World War II. The work was interesting - investigating and controlling an outbreak of the Australian termite in Auckland. This necessitated crawling under buildings searching for possible termite infestations and inspecting incoming sleepers and poles on the wharves.
A major focus of Winsome's work was the search for a suitable chemical for the treatment of pinus radiata so that the timber would be suitable for housing construction. The results revolutionised the New Zealand timber industry. Work started by Winsome (and Don Spiller) was followed by successful post war field trials, which ultimately became commercial practice.
Despite holding equal - or better - qualifications, women scientists were paid less, and were rarely consulted with on the publication of research. Women were generally regarded as technicians rather than fully-fledged scientists.
After the war, horticulture and an interest in historic and notable trees became a main interest. Winsome has published several books, the most notable being The Botanic Garden Wellington: a New Zealand History 1840-1987. Another book, Wellington's Heritage - Plants Gardens and Landscape - was shortlisted in the Montana Book Awards.
Winsome has been awarded civic and national honours. She was made an Associate of Honour of the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture in 1983, and in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours she was awarded an ONZM.
"The basic training for a science degree such as I received at The University of Auckland has enabled me to take advantage of opportunities in this field as they occurred. They still occur - but fortunately women are treated more equally now than in 1942!"
