Women's Museum of Australia presents the
HerStory Archive
This is a collection of stories which tell of the achievements of over 1,500 pioneering women in various fields. We are proud that our HerStory Archive brings Australian women and their achievements to light, and we hope that you enjoy discovering these inspiring women.
This archive contains more information about some women than others. As a small, not-for-profit museum, our limited resources often prevent us from collecting as much information as we would like. The information we do have, however, brings Australian women and their achievements to light. If you have additional information on any woman who features in our Herstory Archive, please contribute it here.
HerStory Home
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Freida Ruth HEIGHWAY
Born 2 June 1907, Died 30 December 1963
Also known as: née Heighway, Dr Ruth Heighway, Freda Abbie
First Australian woman member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London, she was admitted by examination in 1934, later becoming the first woman to graduate…
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Irene M. HALL
Also known as: Irene Shackcloth
Pioneer of radio writing for children. Her first work was broadcast on ABC in 1936. Her radio serial play “The Fakamagangees” was on the air with 3DB Jean Lawson’s children’s session…
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Helen DANN
At 17, first woman in Victoria to get semi-trailer licence.
2015 — Inducted into Shell Rimula Hall of Fame at National Road Transport Hall of Fame.
Bought her own TK Bedford… -
Jean BEADLE
Born 1/1/1868, Died 22/5/1942
Also known as: Jean (Jane) Miller
1898 — Founding member of the first Labour Women’s Association in Australia
1905 — Founding member of the first Western Australian Women’s Political and Social Crusade… -
Margaret Anne FEILMAN
Born 22 June 1921, Died 24 September 2013
First chairwoman of the Western Australia Planning Board. First female to undertake an architectural cadetship in Western Australia’s Public Works Department. First female Town…
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Susan Elizabeth MEEUWISSEN
Born 15/4/1962, Died 18/07/2000
Also known as: Sue
First person in the world to obtain a ruling of Unlawful Discrimination by reason of Disability (Asthma) for exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
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Elizabeth TODD
Born 22/09/1918, Died 31/07/2017
The first female Senior Lecture in any discipline at Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music. Appointed in 1968, she later became the first woman president of the New South Wales Music…
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Myra BLANCH
First flying sister for Royal Flying Doctor Service. She served in New South Wales during 1945 – 1954.
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Donna-Lee PATRICK
2001 — First Alice Springs female to join the Australian HockeyRoos.
Donna Lee Patrick — Player with the Hockeyroos 2001 – 2007
Career Tournaments Played
Invitational… -
Alison S CARE
2009 — Recipient of Young Investigator Award, South Australia.
2004 — Graduated Bachelor of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology with honours, University of South… -
Miles FRANKLIN
Born 14/10/1879, Died 19/09/1954
Also known as: née Franklin, Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, Brent of Bin Bin, Mr and Mrs Ogniblat L'Artsau
Wrote under the name of Miles FRANKLIN; author of “My Brilliant Career” (1901).
1948 — Established Miles Franklin Award for Australian Literature, which she provided for in… -
Kelly COLE
2000 — Kelly walked with camels (and with Mark Swindells for part of the journey) from Western Australia’s most westerly point to New South Wales most easterly point.
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Marie MAHOOD
Died 03/2009
Co-founder, with husband, of property “Mongrel Downs” Northern Territory near Western Australian border in Tanami Desert.
Journalist.
Author of “Bleating Around The… -
Elsie ELIAS
First Honorary Secretary of the Dawson Highway Brigalow Settler’s Association.
Pioneer of central Queensland on cattle property at Moura, Queensland. -
June NOBLE
June was named the 2008 Centralian of the Year.
June has also has served as an Alice Springs Town Council Alderperson and Deputy Mayor.
She is a volunteer at the… -
Jill RATHBORNE
2000 — One of two first female research scientists to work at the South Pole in a University of New South Wales led expedition.
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Caroline Martha DAVID
Born 26/4/1856, Died 25/12/1951
Also known as: née Mallett, Cara, Lady, Caroline Edgeworth David, Caroline Mallett
Wife of Sir Edgeworth David, Professor of Geology.President of Women’s National Movement for Social Reform.Spearheaded campaign for Hotels 6 o’clock closing in New South…
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Isobel Marion Dorothea MacKELLAR
Born 1/7/1885, Died 1968
Also known as: Dorothea
Author the poem “My Country” and others including “The Closed Door,”, “The Witch Maid,” “Dream Harbour,” and “Fancy Dress.” Also…
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Nancy-Bird WALTON, OBE, AO
Born 16/10/1915, Died 13/1/2009
Also known as: Nancy Bird, Nancy Bird Walton, Nancy Bird-Walton
Nancy-Bird was a pioneering Aviatrix who in 1932, at the age of 17, was the youngest female Australian to gain a pilot’s license. Two years later she became the first female…
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Georgina SWEET
Born 22/01/1875, Died 1/01/1946
Australia’s first female Acting Professor when appointed to the University of Melbourne’s Biology School in 1916 – 17 during Professor Spencer Baldwin’s absence, she…
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Rene KULITJA
Born 12/12/1958
Also known as: Wanuny Kulitja
Rene Kulitja is the first Aboriginal artist to have her art work painted on a domestic Qantas aircraft. She designed the Yananyi Dreaming for the Qantas Boeing 737. The Yananyi…
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Margaret Amelia CORLIS
Born 1840, Died 6 January 1925
Also known as: née Walker, Mrs Dr. Corlis
First woman doctor to practice in Australia. Practiced mainly in New South Wales in the 1890s with her husband, Dr Josiah Corlis. 1890s — Went to Western Australia because of a major…
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Cecily Crystal BUTORAC
Died 8 October 2014
Also known as: née Stackhouse
1978 — First woman to paddle a sea kayak to Flinders Island from Tasmania.
1980 — First woman to paddle /land a sea kayak on Maatsuyker Island, Tasmania.
1981 — The first woman to… -
Pam HOLLAND
Born 01 October 1946
Proprietor of Hollandaise Catering, Alice Springs, Northern Territory. She began at the Hotel Alice Springs. A caterer for 34 years, serving guests such as the Archbishop of…
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Susan Barbara ZOG
Born 28/1/1941, Died 17/7/2004
Also known as: née Cullen-Ward, Roo, Queen Susan, Crown Princess Susan of Albania
First Australian woman to be queen of a country (Albania) — H.M. The Queen (in exile)
Through her mother, she is 22nd in line of descent from King Edward I of England and is… -
Rosina Mary EDMUNDS
Born 31 May 1900, Died 23 April 1956
Also known as: Rosette
The 1950s witnessed Rosette Edmunds becoming the first woman president of a chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), not to be repeated for another 30 years.
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Catherine Amelia WELLS
Born 17/9/1868
Also known as: née Long, Kate
Kate was the first white woman to live at Alice Springs.
Drove the mail and passenger coach from Alice Springs to Oodnadatta when her husband was too drunk to drive. -
Cecilia Noel PADGHAM-PURICH
Born 25/12/1927
Also known as: Noel, Noel Padgham
One of first female politicians in the Northern Territory (CLP), serving from 1977 – 1997. She is ranked as the fifth longest serving woman, 20 years and 4 months.
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Kathleen Frances SNEDDON
Born 1908, Died 27 October 2005
Also known as: née Gaylard, BB, Kath
1954 — First president of the Country Women’s Association of the Air, Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
Written on the back of the drawing: Resident 9 years in Alice.… -
Elizabeth Ann DUN
Born 8 April 1866, Died 20 June 1959
Also known as: née Cork
Traditional pioneer of the Gympie District in Queensland.
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Ola Mary McPHERSON
1940 — First woman graduate from Queensland University Veterinary School.
The University of Queensland has a prize named after her, Ola Mary McPherson Prize. -
Martha Patricia PROUDLOVE
Died 13/10/1997
Also known as: Patti, Pattie
1930s — First woman to hold a bus driver’s licence in Western Australia.
Ran a public and tourist bus service with husband and family from Denmark to Albany, Western… -
Elizabeth Rebecca WILSON
Born 21 November 1921, Died 22 January 2010
Also known as: Betty
First Australian woman to score Test century against England.
1957 – 58 — First cricketer to score a test double of 100 runs and 10 wickets in same match.
1985 — First woman cricketer… -
Dorothy MORRELL
Also known as: Dot
1888 — Won the world’s first women’s bicycle race, Auburn, New South Wales.
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Florence Maud BROADHURST
Born 28 July 1899, Died 15 October 1977
Also known as: née Broadhurst, Florence Maud Kann, Florence Maud Lewis
1926 — Founded a modern Academy of Arts in Shanghai known as the Broadhurst Academy.
1933 — Moved to London, reinvented herself as Madame PELLIER, running a Dress Salon in exclusive… -
Alice Maud MANFIELD
Born 9/9/1878, Died 14/7/1960
Also known as: née Manfield
Pioneer of Mt Buffalo district.
“Guide Alice” conducted guided tours in Mt Buffalo National Park. -
Jane CAMPION
Born 30 April 1954
“She is the second of five women ever nominated for the 66th Academy Award for Best Director”.
In 1993, Writer and Director Jane Campion became the first and only woman filmmaker to… -
Sylvia WILSON
Born 30 December 1918, Died 6 February 2012
Also known as: née Roach
1942 — Lieutenant/Nurse Sylvia Roach was stationed at Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
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Barbara Jean WIESE
Born 14/01/1950
1985 — First woman in Australian Labor Party and Legislative Council of South Australia to hold office of Minister — Portfolios: Tourism, Local Government, Youth Affairs.
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Jenny McKENZIE
Member (Robyn Fox, Georgia Le Plastrier, Jenny McKenzie, Jo Van Son) of the first Australian all-female canoe team to make the full descent of the Yukon River (United States).
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Sandra Irene GESELL
Born 6 November 1946
First female staff officer, commissioned rank — Victoria Police Force.
First female detective inspector — Victoria Police Force.
First female directing staff, Police College,… -
Elsie WOODS-HAYES
Born 1918, Died February 2008
One of the original residents of the “cottages” in the Gap area of Alice Springs.
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Helen CALDICOTT
Born 7/8/1938
Also known as: Dr Helen Caldicott
Helen Caldicott is the founder of the Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament (1982). In 1985, Helen was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, which was won by the organisation she…
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Jean MILLS
1897 — 1938 — First Honorary Matron of Girl’s Club for under-privileged girls and women.
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Patricia Julianne EVANS
Also known as: née Morris
Qualified as an accountant in 1948, and in 1949, at 21, became the first female accountant to be employed by Bitumen and Oil Refineries (Australia) Limited (Boral). One of the…
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Lucy OSBURN
Born 1 April 1836, Died 22 December 1891
She trained at the Nightingale Training School, St Thomas’ Hospital. One month into her training she was selected to lead a team of nurses to establish the Nightingale nursing…
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Dianne Jennifer GRADY
Born 31/7/1948
Also known as: nee Komor
First woman elected to McKinsey International partnership outside of USA. She was a “Global Thought Leader” in change management, organisation development and innovation.…
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Heather Mary SCOTT
Born 9 November 1939
Also known as: Jill
A pioneer of contemporary tourism in the Northern Territory from 1969 until 1992.
Jill began her professional life as a registered nurse. Her experience included travelling to England… -
Rebecca MILLS
Died 23/08/1927
First woman on a Board of Directors (although NPWHF researchers have been unable to discover details). In 1926, Rebecca was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for…
