'Helen Mace', born Margaret Helen Rathbun, was the youngest daughter of Ward King Rathbun and Anne Catherine Rathbun (nee Mace). The family lived in Queenstown and 'Mace' attended. Queenstown State School, the Mt Lyell School of Mines, and Launceston State High .School. She trained as teacher for the Tasmanian. Education Department. 'Mace' moved to Melbourne 1941 and in 1943 married scientist Arthur John Charles Hall with whom she had three sons.