Margaret Findlay

• Name — Margaret Keitha Findlay • Birth Name — Margaret Keitha Findlay • Born — 1916 • Birthplace — Scottsdale, Tasmania, Australia • Died — 2007 (aged 90–91) • Alma Mater — * Hobart Technical College • University of Sydney • Occupation — Architect, town planner • Significant Buildings — ANM Village, New Norfolk, Tasmania • Awards — Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women (2011)

Margaret Keitha Findlay was born in Scottsdale, Tasmania, in 1916. In the 1930s, her family relocated to New Norfolk, Tasmania, where she completed her secondary education. Upon completing her schooling, Findlay pursued a career in architecture, an uncommon path for women at the time. She commenced an apprenticeship with Hobart architect A.T. Johnston while simultaneously undertaking architectural studies at Hobart Technical College. The college's program was then affiliated with the Sydney Technical College, requiring students to complete their final two years in Sydney. Findlay completed the five-year course and qualified for her architecture diploma in 1943.

• Illustration — Findlay's workers’ housing at Boyer, built for employees of the ANM, c. 1952 Findlay's professional career began immediately after finishing her apprenticeship. She was employed as an architectural draftswoman for Australian Newsprint Mills (ANM) at Boyer, near New Norfolk. After only 15 months, the head architect left the company, and Findlay, at a young age, was appointed to the role. She assumed full architectural responsibility for the company's "town-site" project—a significant residential development designed to house workers and their families. In this capacity, Findlay personally designed at least 60 houses for ANM staff. In 1943, Findlay achieved a major milestone by passing the qualifying exam to become an associate of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, alongside one other Tasmanian, Charles Crawford. This made her the first woman in Tasmania to earn this professional qualification. She was also the first woman to be registered on the Roll of Architects for Tasmania. Findlay became the first female architect employed by the Tasmanian Public Works Department in 1944. Her growing reputation led to a prestigious appointment in 1945 as an Instructor in Architectural Draughtsmanship at the University of Sydney. She was the first and, at that time, the only woman to hold such a position at the university's School of Architecture. While teaching, Findlay pursued further studies in a field she was passionate about, graduating with a Diploma in Town and Country Planning from the University of Sydney in 1951. She remained a central figure in the architecture department at the university until her retirement in 1970.

• ANM Village (now part of New Norfolk), Tasmania (c. 1942–1944): Findlay was the lead architect for this residential suburb, personally designing at least 60 individual houses for workers of the Australian Newsprint Mills.

The following is established of the heading itself.

The following works and productions are recorded by name or by count.