Kathleen M. Butler

Kathleen M. Butler (27 February 1891 - 20 July 1972) was nicknamed the “Godmother of Sydney Harbour Bridge”. As the first person appointed to Chief Engineer J.J.C, Bradfield’s team, as his Confidential Secretary, (a role which today would be called a technical adviser or project manager), she managed the international tendering process and oversaw the development of the technical plans, travelling to London in 1924 to supervise the project in the offices of Dornan’s, the company which won the tender. At the time it was built, Sydney Harbour Bridge was the largest arch bridge in the world, with the build expected to take six years to complete. Her unusual role garnered much interest in the press in Australia and Britain.

Kathleen M. Butler

Kathleen M. Butler (27 February 1891 - 20 July 1972) was nicknamed the “Godmother of Sydney Harbour Bridge”. As the first person appointed to Chief Engineer J.J.C, Bradfield’s team, as his Confidential Secretary, (a role which today would be called a technical adviser or project manager), she managed the international tendering process and oversaw the development of the technical plans, travelling to London in 1924 to supervise the project in the offices of Dornan’s, the company which won the tender. At the time it was built, Sydney Harbour Bridge was the largest arch bridge in the world, with the build expected to take six years to complete. Her unusual role garnered much interest in the press in Australia and Britain.