National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame 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

HOLMAN, Mary Alice

Born 18/07/1893, Died 20/03/1939

Also known as: May

Australia's first female Labor Parliamentarian (Western Australia) who served more than ten years.
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

RODDA, Ali

2001 - First woman midnight to dawn radio presenter (5AA) in Adelaide. Masters in Business Administration Degree in Public Relations. Nurse.
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

TAYLOR, Sandy

Alice Springs first Aboriginal female Alderman. Daughter of HerStory Archive entry Emmie WEHR.
ZELLING, Sesca Ross

Born 18/4/1918, Died 21/11/2001

Also known as: née Anderson

Officer of the Order of the British Empire for service to women and community in South Australia. 1947-50 - Secretary Law Society of South Australia.1949-51 - President, Women…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

JENKINS, Ida Elizabeth

Born 29/8/1916, Died 30/10/2014

Also known as: née Osbourne, Liz. Professionally she was known as Elizabeth Osbourne and Ida Elizabeth Jenkins.

A pioneer of children's radio, women's issues and the Save the Children Fund, and a founding member of the Children's Book Council of Australia. 1954 - Was the only…
HAYES, Mary

Born 25/11/1838, Died 12/1933

Also known as: née Stratford

Mary Hayes, William and their children came to Central Australia in 1884, to work as fencing and dam sinking contractors on Mount Burrell and Owen Springs stations. Horse and bullock…
PERKINS, Rachel

Born 1970

Circa 1991 she became the youngest female Executive Producer at SBS Television. In 1995, Rachel won the first Indigenous Program Scholarship to the Australian Film Television and Radio…
LANGTON, Marcia Lynne

Born 31/10/1951

1993 - Awarded Member of the Order of Australia, for service as an anthropologist and advocate of Aboriginal issues. 2000 - Inaugural Professor of Australian Indigenous Studies,…
REIBEY, Mary

Born 12/05/1777, Died 30/05/1855

Also known as: née Haydock, Molly, James Burrow, Mary Raby, Mary Raiby

1811 - First known successful Australian business woman. Mary REIBEY's image is displayed on the Australian $20 note. She was a former convict.
REDDY, Helen Maxine Lamond

Born 25/10/1941

First Australian to win a Grammy Award and have three hit in the same year. First female performer invited to sing in the People's Republic of China Singer and Lyricist of…
FARR, Mitzi

Born 1908

Mitzi Farr was born in 1908, the same year the Wright brothers made a record flight. She had strong opposition from her family but gained her license on a Gypsy Moth in 1931. In 1988,…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

MAC KNIGHT, Ella Annie Noble

Born 1904, Died 1/4/1997

30 Nov 1929 - One of the first women to gain flying licence in Victoria.
First woman to serve on Australian Regional Council and also first female Australian president awarded Order of…
MARTEL, Ellen Alma

Born 30/9/1855, Died 11/8/1940

Also known as: née Charleston, Nellie

1903 -First woman along with Vida Goldstein, Mary Ann Moore-Bentley and Selina Anderson , in Australia and British Empire, to stand for National Parliament (unsuccessful). Involved in…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

O'REILLY, Anna Maria

1825 - One of first women to own and operate a hat shop in their Castlereagh Street residence, Sydney, New South Wales.
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

BOYD, Emma

Born 1858, Died 1936

Also known as: Minnie Boyd

Highly regarded landscape painter. One of the most prolific in Melbourne of her generation. Exhibited in London at the Royal Academy in 1891 and at the Grafton Galleries in 1898. Emma…
BLACK, Ollie

Ollie Black is the co-founder of the Wimmins Circus (Melbourne: 1979) and Vitalstatistix, (Adelaide: 1984 - later to become the National Women’s Theatre). Ollie Black has worked in…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

WILLIAMS, Constance Isabel Arundel

Also known as: Isabel

First woman President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

WILLING, Adrienne

Born 1972

First Centralian woman to enter Ms Fitness category of International Body Building Association Victorian titles in Melbourne (2002).
STANDLEY, Ida

Born 19/01/1869, Died 25/05/1948

Also known as: née Woodcock

1914 - First school teacher in first school in Alice Springs, Northern Territory and possibly the first multi-racial school in Australia.
Ida Standley was the township of Stuart's…
BRUCEK, Ida Joy

Born 4/4/1923, Died 2/7/1997

Also known as: Joy Brucek, Ida Joy Cuskey (maiden name)

1953 - Established first library in Alice Springs. 1962 - Granted first restaurant liquor licence in Alice Springs for Zdena Motel (where Alice Resort is now located, on Stott Terrace,…
SPENCER, Mary Stuart

Born 15/05/1871, Died 19/04/1940

Also known as: née Huntly, Eleanor Huntly, Mary Stuart Cosens, Senora Spencer

1906 - First woman projectionist in Australia.
TEAGUE, Una Sybella

Born December 1878, Died 1969

During the prolonged drought in Central Australia in the 1920s many Aboriginal people died of beri-beri and scurvy. Pastor Albrecht wanted to pipe good water from Kaporilya Springs 7…
BOYD, Susan

Born 1946

Sue Boyd was the first woman president of a students association in Australia (Guild of Undergraduates, University of Western Australia 1969). She spent 34 years in the Australian…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

HALL, Margaret Elizabeth

Born 11/06/1910, Died 01/09/1993

Also known as: née Nicker

Helped set up first School of the Air in Central Australia. President of Country Women's Association (CWA). President of Royal Flying Doctor Service Women's Auxiliary…
THOMS, Patience Rosemary

Born 13/09/1915, Died 2/03/2006

Also known as: Pat Thoms

1968 - Appointed first Australian (and first from the Southern Hemisphere) President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women.
ALLEN, Denise

1983 - First observer woman posted to Queensland 1984 - First woman posted to Willis Island 1986 - First woman to winter on the Antarctic Continent for the Bureau of Meteorology 1988 -…
BORDONI, Maria

Maria Bordoni was the first woman governor of a maximum security men’s prison in Australia (appointed General Manager of Yatala Labour Prison, South Australia, 1996). Prior to her…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

ANDERSON, Selina Sarah Elizabeth

Born 12/5/1878, Died 30/11/1964

Also known as: Senie, Selina Siggins

1903 -First woman along with Vida Goldstein, Mary Ann Moore-Bentley and Nellie Martel, in Australia and British Empire to stand for National Parliament (unsuccessful). Selina Anderson…
POLLOCK, Agnes Jean

Born 13/07/1909, Died 13/02/1996

Also known as: Jean

1952 - Founding Principal of 'Larnook 'Teacher Training College. Pioneered education for women.Trained in Domestic Arts (later known as Home Economics).
LONGMORE, Lydia

Born 15/7/1874, Died 30/10/1967

1917 - First female Inspector of Schools (Lower Grades).
1957 - Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil), “Mother's Clubs in South Australia.” 1918 - Founded…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

MUNRO, Heather May

Born 10 May 1943

First female President of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
WICKHAM, Tracey Lee

Born 24/11/1962

Also known as: Tiger

1978 - Wickham was the World Champion for the 400 m and 800 m freestyle.
1978 - Made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
1978 and 1982 - Won gold in both events at the…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

MACNAMARA, Annie Jean

Born 1/4/1899, Died 13/10/1968

Also known as: Jean, Jean Connor

First woman Resident Medical Officer at Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. In May 1923 Jean, with high recommendations, was appointed resident at the (Royal) Children's…
SHEARER, Daisy

Also known as: née Swan

Written on the back of the drawing: Excellent cook. Husband in government service. Mrs Shearer was a former sister at the hospital.Came to Alice Springs after war to wok as…
MCNAMARA, Blanche

Born 1859, Died 1900

1897-1900 - Blanche McNamara was the pioneering first woman school inspector in South Australia and also the first in Australia. She was appointed specifically to pay attention to the…
ALLPORT, Mary Morton

Born 17/5/1806, Died 10/6/1895

Also known as: Mary Morton Chapman (maiden name)

Mary Allport was Tasmania's first professional woman artist. She exhibited in local exhibitions and published lithographs. She advertised her professional services as a portrait…
SHUTTLE, Linda Joyce

Also known as: Sister Linda Mary, Reverend Sister Linda Mary

2009 - First Mother Superior of the Anglican Community of Sisters of the Church (CSC) (in the order's 140-year history) to live in Australia, instead of England.
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

WOOD, Rebecca

Also known as: Becky

First female in Northern Territory to train as a Telstra communications technician.
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

HARRIS, Elsie Magdalene

Also known as: née Bohning, Magdaline, The Little Bush Maid

Esther Bohning and her daughters, Elsie and Edith, from Helen Springs Station north of Tennent Creek, were known as “The Petticoat Drovers.” Esther and Elsie made history when they…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

WEBB, Hilary Joy

Also known as: Joy

Stella was an Allowera (Allyawarr) woman, Jane Webb's trusted Allyawarr Aboriginal friend, who lived at Mount Riddock Station with the Webb family for eighteen years.She helped…
MCKENZIE, Florence Violet

Born 28/9/1890, Died 23/05/1982

Also known as: née Granville, Vi, Violet Wallace, Mrs Mac

Australia's first female electrical engineer, licensed woman amateur radio operator, and first female member of the Wireless Institute of Australia. 1939 - Opened school in Sydney…
LEE, Georgia

Born 1921, Died 23/4/2010

Also known as: Aunty Dulcie Rama Pitt, Dulcie Rama Pitt

Georgia Lee was the first Indigenous Australian artist to record Blues songs, a Blues album, and the first Indigenous woman to record an album. She also is credited as having the first…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

MIATKE, Danni Patricia

Born 29/11/1987

First Northern Territorian swimmer to win at world swim championships (50 meter butterfly).
2006 - Gold Medalist at Manchester Commonwealth Games - swimming - 50m butterfly. 1999 - Won…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

SCHILLING, Joanne

2007 - First female Governor in Northern Territory Rotary Club.
NELSON, Margaret Caroline

Born 29/09/1913, Died 02/02/2010

Also known as: née Bloomfield, Peg

Worked at Royal Flying Doctor Service. Was Patron of Netball Association.
Peg was also actively involved in choosing the site for the Old Timers Village, where she eventually…
WRIGHT, Marion F.

Also known as: née Lunn, Brownie, Browny

In 1934 Brownie was the first Australian woman pilot to go night flying. There were no marked runways with lights, just kerosene flares made out of tin cans full of burning rags. In…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

TEUBNER, Jillian Kay

Born 19/10/1941, Died 12/11/2002

First female Woodville High School Student to gain a PhD.
First South Australian woman to gain a PhD in Organic Chemistry. Scientist and Medical Educator.
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

ANYOS, Sharon Lea Anne

Born 13/10/1970

Also known as: ‘Wildthing’

Australia's first female World Boxing Champion. First Australian woman to take out the inaugural Women's Boxing Title in first ever ANBF & OBA sanctioned women's boxing…
For various reasons, it has not been possible to include a photo with this Archive entry. If you’d like to come forward with photos, please see the Contribute page at the bottom left

CARNEY, Jodeen

Born 9/12/1965

2005 - First female Leader of the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party
First Centralian to be Leader of the Country Liberal Party.
BALUCH, Joy

Born 10/10/1932, Died 14/05/2013

Also known as: Nancy Joy Copley, Nancy Joy Baluch

Joy Baluch was the first woman mayor of Port Augusta, South Australia. She presided as mayor for 29 years over 3 terms; 15 years on the Local Government Association executive and…