Rainbow in Australia was founded by Mrs Frances A. Livermore, Past Matron, whose interest in the Order was aroused after reading a magazine article on its activities in the United States. Mrs Livermore was appointed Supreme Deputy in 1930 and on April 31, 1930, Sydney Assembly No. 1 was instituted in the Druids House in Sydney. The Rev. Mark W. Sexton conferred Mrs Livermore with Australia's First Grand Cross, on October 12, 1931.
Cumberland Assembly No.2 was instituted in March, closely followed by Illawarra St. George. With other assemblies rapidly springing up in the suburbs, girls were no longer prepared to travel to the city and sadly Sydney Assembly No. 1 closed.
After having instituted five assemblies, Mrs Livermore's health deteriotated and she resigned her position as Supreme Deputy. Mrs Marion Simpson, who succeeded her, continued with the work and in 1940 the first Australian Grand Assembly was formed in Sydney with Beryl Smith from Cumberland Assembly being installed as Grand Worthy Advisor.
Eight girls accompanied Mrs Simpson to Queensland to assist with the Institution of their first assembly in May 1939. The third state in which Rainbow assemblies were opened was Victoria, with two assemblies being opened in 1052 and 1955. Sadly both these assemblies closed in the late 1980's. Western Australia opened its first and only assembly in 1953. Contact with the new assembly was very limited due to the great distance and no records are held of its progress. The fifth and last state to open its doors to Rainbow was South Australia, with Adelaide Assembly No 51. Being instituted in November 1955.
Following the death of Mrs Simpson, and the separation of Queensland to become a separate jurisdiction, Mrs Edna Richards was appointed as Supreme Deputy and served until her death in 1971. Mrs Elvie Dare, a Past Mother Advisor served as Supreme Deputy from 1972 to 1981. Following her retirement, Mrs Jean Richards was appointed as the new Supreme Deputy. Mrs Richards had served Rainbow as the first Worthy Advisor of Cronulla Assembly No. 3, Grand Worthy Advisor, and is both a Past Grand Deputy and State Mother Advisor. In 1988, Mrs Richards was appointed as New South Wales' first Supreme Inspector.
Mrs Sadie Jones was appointed as Supreme Deputy in 1989 after Mrs Richards' health forced her to step down. Mrs Jones was honoured in 1996 when she was elected as a Supreme Inspector where she continues to serve today.
In the 1950's and 60's Rainbow was thriving with thirty five assemblies, each with large numbers of girls. Sadly in the late 60's numbers started to decline and 27 assemblies had closed by the early 80's. Membership levels have remained at approximately the same level during the past 12 years.
Date Page last amended: 29 August 2002