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

LEE, Suzanne

1992 - First Alice Springs' Miss Australia.
TILMOUTH, Ruby

Born 11/1915, Died 09/2005

Also known as: née Schaber

Pioneer and Activist of Central Australia.1950s - Led and organized a protest march against a racist curfew in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
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

WALKER, Theresa Snell

Born 19/02/1807, Died 17/04/1876

Also known as: née Chauncy

First Australian woman sculptor.
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

THORNTON, Merle

Born 2/10/1930

Also known as: née Wilson

Known for, with Rosalie BOGNER, chaining themselves to a bar rail in protest of the exclusion of women in bars in Queensland. Women's Rights Activist. Author. Mother of…
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

SKINNER, Cornelia

Born 1867, Died 1949

Tryphena Rains married William (Bill) Benstead in 1881. … Bill became manager of Barrow Creek Pastoral Company, setting up home at Stirling Creek near the Barrow Creek Telegraph…
NOBLE, June

June was named the 2008 Centralian of the Year. She is a volunteer who has served as an Alice Springs Town Council alderperson and deputy mayor.
CAIRNS, Joan

Born 7/1932, Died 27/6/2019

Joan Cairns was Australia’s first female anaesthetic technician. Joan worked at the Alice Springs Hospital and took the opportunity to study at the Mayfield Medical Centre in…
STAIB, Margaret Mary

Born 20/12/1962

2009 - Air Vice-Marshal.
2010 - Commander, Joint Logistics Command.
Both were at the time the highest ranking woman in the Australian military.
2012 - First woman CEO of Air Services…
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

TOMASETTI, Maree

Born 23/08/1925, Died 30/07/2012

1956 - First weather girl on Channel 7.
1960 - Australia's first pregnant television presenter. 1955 - One of first members of The Elizabethan Theatre Company (Australia's…
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, Margaret Ellen

Also known as: née Little

11 February 1978 - First woman police officer to be awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for bravery in Queensland and Australia.
CASWELL, Tricia

First female Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation (1992-1995); first woman General Secretary of the Technical Teachers Union of Victoria (1979-1992); first…
SLEE, Caroline Poolmann

Born 2/06/1861, Died 15/11/1916

Also known as: née Rebbeck, Nurse Slee

Pioneer nurse and midwife at Broken Hill, 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

MACKINNON, Babs

2004 - Received Order of Australia, for her contribution to Australian Entertainment. Part of “The Musical Macks” (from age 2) - family entertainment at stage shows in Sydney.Sang on…
KING, Georgina

Born 6/6/1845, Died 7/6/1932

Australia's first female geologist. Georgina came from a family who held the natural sciences in high regard. As she was growing up, she did not lack for mentors among the…
WILCOX, Mary Theodora Joyce

Born 24/11/1873, Died 14/12/1953

Also known as: Dora; Mrs William MOORE

Poet and playwright. Wrote such as 'Verses from Maori Land' (1905), 'Rata and Mistletoe' (1911), 'Seven Poems' (1924). She wrote an ode to celebrate the…
LAWSON, Louisa

Born 17/2/1848, Died 12/8/1920

Also known as: née Albury. Louisa also wrote under the pseudonyms “Archie Lawson”, “Dora Falconer” and “Mrs Appleby”.

Louisa Lawson was the first to found a school at the New South Wales gold digging fields. In 1887, Louisa Lawson bought the ailing newspaper, Republican, which she and her son Henry…
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

JACOBS, Esther

Born 6/4/1900, Died 27/1/1991

Also known as: nee Solomon

1975 - First woman deputy Lord Mayor (Adelaide City Council). 1978 - Resigned after 22 years continuous service.
First woman governor of the Adelaide Festival of Arts. Honorary…
WATT, Kathryn

Born 11/09/1964

Also known as: Kathy

1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona - Australia's first female cycling gold medallist, 181 kilometer road race.
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

MURPHY, Mary

A handful of European women accompanied their husbands to the mines. Mary Murphy, Betty O'Neil and F Sutherland signed a petition to get a polling booth there.
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

STUBBS, Sheila

1940s - Pioneer of Hay and western New South Wales.1950s - Sawmiller, hotel worker, station hand, drover, horsewoman, kangaroo shooter/skinner, and shearer's cook.1960s - Charcoal…
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.
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

BANDLER, Faith

Born 27/09/1920, Died 13/02/2015

Also known as: Ida Lessing Faith Mussing

1976 appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire but declined1984 appointed Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to Aboriginal welfare1994 awarded an…
MANFIELD, Alice Maud

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.
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

RUDDICK, Daisy Florence

Born 15/08/1915, Died 23/04/2002

Also known as: née Kumachi Cusack

Pioneer of Darwin, Northern Territory. One of Stolen Generation. Nanny to Austin ASCHE. Nurse who worked with Flying Doctor, Clive Fenton, at Katherine, Northern Territory.
YOUNG, Jessie Goldie

Born 25/5/1911, Died 23/9/1988

Also known as: née Matheson

First arrived at Ernabella 4 August 1938. Second visit 1942-1944. Her husband Len accredited with finding water at Ernabella.
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

BRADSHAW, Edna Almurta
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

SHADFORTH, Patsy

Northern Territory Pioneer of Seven Emu Station.
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…
BANDT, Rosalie Edith

Born 18/8/1951

Also known as: Ros Bandt

Ros Bandt is an internationally acclaimed sound artist, composer, researcher and performer and has been described as one of the most individual presences in Australian music. Since…
MACCORMAC, Joan

Also known as: née Waterton

Written on the back of the drawing: Short-term member.
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

KILGARIFF, Eileen Elizabeth

Born 31/12/1891

Also known as: née Minahan

Mona Minahan came to Alice Springs in 1931 to visit her sister, Eileen Kilgariff.
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

SHAW, Mary Turner

Born 14/01/1906, Died 23/04/1990

Also known as: Mollie

1941 - First woman Architect employed by Public Works (Department of the Allied Services).
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

BENT, Roxxy

Roxxy Bent was the co-founder (with Margie Fischer and Ollie Black) of Vitalstatistix (Adelaide: 1984). There was a two-pronged approach in the early days of the company: creating a…
VERSTAK, Tania

Also known as: née Verstak

1962 - First and only Australian to win Miss International Beauty competition. 1962 - Crowned Miss New South Wales.1962 - Crowned Miss Australia.
DEHN, Carol

Carol is a captain for Qantas Link based in Melbourne. She has won many Australian Women Pilots Association trophies. One of her most satisfying jobs has been flying for the Air…
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

WOODBURN, Bettina Mathilde

Born 6/12/1923, Died 1/1/2015

Also known as: née Bromley

Inaugural winner of Seniors Card Get Up and Go award - aged 78 years.
ABLEY, Barbara

First woman Mayor of Geelong City Council, the first in this Victoria Council’s preceding 134-year history (2002). Barbara Abley was elected in March 2001 to the Council of the City…
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, Marilyn May

Born 1 June 1951, Died 2000

Daughter of Pioneer WEBB family of Mt Riddock Station. Nurse at Granite gold mine for 9 years.Foundation Life Member of NPWHF. Member of Northern Territory Women's Advisory…
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…
O'SULLIVAN, Bridget

Also known as: Bid

Bid O'Sullivan was the first teacher at the Cloncurry School of the Air in Queensland, 1960.
In 1963, she was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her…
SALVAIR, Cathy

Born 17/10/1963

Cathy has flown tour groups around Australia. She has endorsements in aerobatics, formation flying, and float planes.
1987 - Won the Lady Casey Scholarship. 1979 - Her first flight was…
KUBISCH, Doris Margaret

Born 2/10/1939

In 1987 , Doris set up “The Remote Women's Health Service” in Alice Springs and the Barkly. She also worked as a nursing sister at Hermannsburg (from 1966), Papunya (from 1975),…
DENNIS, Sarah

Born 24/12/1841, Died 9/8/1910

Also known as: née Marks

Pioneer of Bendigo area of Victoria.
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

PARSONS, Allyson

Born 1965

1989 - Became Young Achiever of the Year - the 'Prestigious Award' supported by Channel 10. Born profoundly deaf. Her Art is well known in South Australia. She has 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

KIRK, Maria Elizabeth

Born 9/12/1855, Died 14/1/1928

Also known as: née Sutton, Marie

Maria Kirk was the founder of the Women's Christian Temperance Union in Australia (in 1887). She held numerous executive positions in the organisation. Maria supported and worked…
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

RYAN, Ada Eliza

Born 1844

Also known as: née Smith

First woman into the Cape River Diggings (goldfields) of North Queensland. Known as a bullock team owner/driver, publican, hotel keeper, grazier, innkeeper, store owner/keeper. Owned…
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

MEYERS, Dorothy Annie

Also known as: Anne

Annie Williams arrived in Alice Springs in the late 1890s. Here she married Charlie Meyers (aka Aaron Schunke), the local saddler. They had four children: Dorothy Annie, Herman…
WOOD, Fiona Melanie

Born 2/02/1958

Also known as: née Wood

1992 - Established Perth, Western Australia, first human skin tissue culture laboratory.
In 2003, she was awarded The Order of Australia Member of the Order (AM) and the Australian…
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.
GIBBS, Pearl Mary

Born 1901, Died 28/4/1983

Also known as: Gambanyi

Pearl Gibbs was an Aboriginal leader and fought all her life for the rights of Indigenous Australians. Her mother, Mary Margaret Brown, was born in Brewarrina. Her mother was Maria, an…