Athol Bennett
BENNETT, Athol John, BCE(Hons), FWAIS (1882-1959)
Athol was born in Tamworth, New South Wales in 1882, the son of contractor Joseph Samuel Bennett and his wife Rosina Bennett (nee Hunter). Athol’s father died in August 1883, at Albury, New South Wales, when Athol was aged one.
Athol’s secondary education was at Hawthorn College, Melbourne. In 1897 he was awarded a Government Exhibition worth £40 per annum for four years. He commenced an engineering degree at the University of Melbourne in 1898, living in Ormond College. He completed the four year Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree, with honours, in 1902. In 1929, he was accepted into the Convocation of the University of Western Australia, ad eundum gradum, recognising his 1902 honours degree.
Initially he worked in Melbourne as a civil engineer, living with his mother and siblings in Bridport Street, Albert Park.
Around 1906, he moved to Western Australia, obtaining a Certificate of Competency in Surveying.
He married Jessie Maud Fitch on December 4, 1909, at the Presbyterian Church, Claremont. Jessie was the sister of Victoria Marion Ellen (Marjorie) Fitch who married prominent Perth Engineer, Henry Bregenzer.
Athol and Jesse had a daughter, Zoie Tijou Bennett, their only child, born July 25, 1911. In July 1941, Zoie married John Edmund Fryer. Zoie was a prominent woman architect.
In 1926, Athol was a Western Australian delegate at the National Science Congress held in Perth.
His work included being the surveyor for Como Vale Estate that was subdivided in 1930.
Athol also taught at the Midland and Perth Technical Colleges from February 1934 to February 1942.
Athol was prominent in the Western Australia Institution of Surveyors. By 1914 he was a Member of the Council and by 1922 Vice President. In 1929 became President. He became a Fellow of the Western Australian Institution of Surveyors in 1930.
He was an inaugural Member of the Town Planning Institute Council in 1931 and Vice President in 1935. He was a Member of the Land Surveying Licensing Board from 1932. He became Secretary to the Land Surveying Licensing Board in 1945.
Athol died on April 19, 1959, aged 77. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
References:
WAPD 1920, p. 600. (A J Bennett was a lecturer in physics and mathematics at Perth Technical College in 1920)
Argus Melbourne, 13.12.1897, p. 6.
West Australian, 6.10.06, p. 11.
Daily News, 30.4.30, p. 1.
Taylor, Dr John J., ‘Zoie Tijou Bennett (1911-1985)', W A Architect Biographies, accessed April 10, 2023.
