Background
She was born at Canowindra to wheat farmer Albert Rice.
She was born at Canowindra to wheat farmer Albert Rice.
She attended Street Mary"s College in Bathurst and was a member of the Dramatic and Musical Society during World War I, organising entertainment for serving soldiers.
During World World War II she organised similar entertainment as during World War I.
Not long after, in September 1961, Amelia was elected to the Council as a nominee of the Independent Labor Group, which comprised those former Labor MLCs who opposed the party policy of abolishing the Legislative Council. Her election was made possible with the assistance of the Liberal Party, which exerted its influence to avoid the election of another Labor MLC. Rygate rejoined the Labor Party in 1966 and served until the introduction of direct election to the Legislative Council in 1978, when she retired. She died at Canowindra in 1988.
Gerald Rygate was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1952 until his death in 1960.