I had learned what wealth was, and a great deal about production and exchange for myself in the early history of South Australia - of the value of machinery, of roads and bridges, and of ports for transport and export.

Through family connections Catherine Helen Spence began with short pieces and poetry publiCatherine Helen Spenced in The South Australian. These two were also appointed to the State Children's Council which controlled the Magill Reformatory. Early life
Spence was born in Melrose Scotland as the fifth child in a family of eight.

Catherine Helen Spence (31 October 1825 – 3 April 1910) was a Scottish-born Australian author teacher journalist politician and leading suffragette. In 1897 Catherine Helen Spence became Australia's first female political candidate after standing (unsuccessfully) for the Federal Convention held in Adelaide.