During World War 2, she led the fundraising of almost £72,000 for charities through organising the Girl Guides Thrift Campaign. This equates to in excess of A$1m today.
Shylie Rymill came from a distinguished family, the youngest child of an English-born physician and surgeon, William Blue, and later when her mother Katharine Gordon remarried, she became the stepdaughter of Sir Samuel Way, the Chief Justice of the SA Supreme Court at the time.
She grew up, enjoying charitable and social activities but was also driven to lead in constructive ways.
Such was her influence on establishing and growing women’s golf in SA that the Shylie Rymill Foursomes Nett Event continues today as a competition named in her honour.
Rymill was the co-instigator of the SA Ladies Golf Union in 1925.
A tremendous degree of Rymill’s foresight, energy, advocacy and organisational ability was involved in setting up the Union.
It also required skilled diplomacy in working with the men’s committees to engage their cooperation.
A most dynamic influence in the community, she was also appointed State Commissioner for the SA Girl Guides from 1938-1950.
During World War 2, she led the raising of almost £72,000 for charities through organising the Girl Guides Thrift Campaign. This equates to in excess of a A$1m today.
Playing golf was another great love and in 1913, Shylie Rymill won the South Australian Women’s Golf Championship, as well as winning the Kooyonga Club championship in 1925, 1927 and 1928.
Her leadership capacity also led her to positions including Associate-Captain (1915, 1923 and 1933–34) of the Royal Adelaide Club, Ladies’ captain (1924–28 and 1932) at Kooyonga Golf Club, and Founding President (1925–30) of the South Australian Ladies’ Golf Union.
