Martha M. Simpson
Martha Margaret Mildred Simpson (born 3 May 1865 in County Tyrone, Ireland)is responsible for pioneering new education methods in Australia, including promoting kindergarten education, supervised playgrounds and hospital schools. She taught at New South Wales schools, including Wyee, Carrow Brook, Tea Tree, Tea Gardens, Woerden and Tamworth. Simpson became the first Lecturer in kindergarten studies at the Sydney Teachers' College in 1908. In the following year, Simpson published a work entitled "Work in the kindergarten : an Australian programme, based on the life and customs of the Australian Black". In 1912 the New South Wales government sent Simpson  to Europe to learn about the Montessori Method of education from Dr. Montessori herself. These principles were practiced at the demonstration school. In 1914, Simpson published her "Report on the Montessori Methods of Education". Simpson became the first female Inspector of Infant Schools for New South Wales in 1917. Simpson became responsible for the kindergarten section of Blackfriars Demonstration School, part of the Sydney Teachers' College. In 1920, Simpson travelled to the US to further study education methods, and returned with ideas on improving the health of students. These ideas were implemented at Blackfriars, including nutritious lunches and a milk  allowance. Simpson retired from education in 1930 and the following year unsuccessfully stood for election for the New South Wales district of Annandale. Simpson was a poet, and her works include "To an old grammar", which was published in "An" "Anthology" "of" "Australian" "Verse"., and "Friendship's Tribute", which was published under the pen name Innesfail. Simpson died in 1948.