Agent TypePersonActivities & OccupationsAcademics - Social workGenderFemaleHistoryConcetta (Connie) Benn (1926-2011) was the first of her family to attend university. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Journalism in 1949. In 1955 she returned to Melbourne University to study Social Work (Psychiatric). Two years later she accepted her first official appointment as a Psychiatric Social Worker with the Victorian Mental Health Department (1957). This was followed by a series of significant appointments as her commitment to social justice, and dedication to those she believed suffered from social exclusion gave practical shape to her career. These included her first senior role as Director of Social Work and Research for the Citizens Welfare Service in 1961, her appointment as Vice-President and later President of the Australian Association of Social Workers (1958-1972), Associate Director of Social Policy and Research for the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1977-1982), Head of School of Social Work for Phillip Institute of Technology (1982-1983), Director of Social Development Division for the Department of Premier and Cabinet (1983-1985), Director for Community Services Victoria in the Older Persons Planning Office (1988-1989), and Chairperson for the Adult Community and Further Education Board of Victoria (1992-1995). In the mid-1980s Connie Benn was recognised as one of Victoria’s most significant and innovative Social Workers and was duly appointed Deputy Director-General of Community Services Victoria (1985). She was also Professor of School of Social Work for The University of Melbourne (1989-1991), and published numerous articles, reports and books. In recognition of her service to social welfare she was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1955, She was awarded the Centenary Medal for her service to health in 2001, and added to the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2002.
Selected references:
‘Obituary’, Krab. K. 2011, accessed http://kk.cc.com.au/category/tages/obituary
‘Obituary’, Draper. M. 2011, The Age, accessed http://theage.com.au/comment/obituaries
![[2012.0025] PROFESSIONAL PAPERS OF CONNIE BENN](/img/placeholder.gif?1761251355 "[2012.0025] PROFESSIONAL PAPERS OF CONNIE BENN")