Evelyn Maude "Eva" West (14 September 1888 – 20 June 1969) was an Australian accountant and local government administrator.[1] [2] [3]
West is most notable for being one of the first female accountants to be admitted to the Incorporated Institute of Corporate Accountants.[4] [5] West passed the final exam to qualify for admission in December 1916.[6]
Passing the examination for municipal clerks in 1914 to become qualified, West embarked on a career in local government.[7] She was appointed assistant shire secretary for the Shire of Jeetho-Poowong in Korumburra[2] before moving to Melbourne to work with the Country Roads Board where she worked by day and studied at night for her accounting exams.[1]
Returning to Traralgon in 1921, West opened her own accounting practice before commencing work at Traralgon Shire Council in 1922, rising to become shire secretary in 1934.[8] West was also later appointed as secretary of Traralgon Waterworks Trust and Traralgon Sewerage Authority.[9]
West's community work was extensive, holding honorary positions with more than twenty local community groups. She was considered a driving force behind the Traralgon Salvage Committee which raised funds during World War II.[1] West had a special interest in the advancement of young girls, beginning a local branch of the Girl Guides, and serving on the council of St Anne's Girls Grammar School in Sale.[1] [2]
West was appointed as an MBE in the 1958 New Year Honours.[1]
She died in Tralagon in 1969 and was buried in the Traralgon Cemetery.[1] [10]
Latrobe City Council currently offers a $3000 scholarship for Year 12 girls who wish to study business and accounting at university.[11]
In 2018, West was posthumously added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.[12] [13]
West's father was long-serving Traralgon Shire secretary and Victoria state MP Walter West, who served as the Member for Gippsland South from 1922 until 1929.[14]