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

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

WHITE, Mary Hyacinthe Petronel

Born 4/10/1900, Died 01/06/1984

Also known as: née Groom, Petronel

The first woman to represent a capital city council in Australia, she was elected alderman to the Hamilton ward of the Brisbane City Council in 1949.
MACKERETH, Sarah Ann

Born 1819, Died 1882

Also known as: née O’Brien

Pioneer of South Australia and Mount Lofty Range District.
PRIOR, Ruby Dawn

Born 1925

Also known as: née Vivian, Dawn

1998 - Had been a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service for 44 years.
1992 - She was awarded the Order of Australia, for services to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Auxilliary…
ARNOT, Allana

Born 1967

Also known as: Allana Corbin

In 1997 Allana Arnot became the first woman to circumnavigate Australia solo in a helicopter. She accomplished this after teaching herself how to walk and fly again following a plane…
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

ROMARO, Cherie

Born 1950

Cherie was the first female radio music programmer, program director and radio network general manager in Australia. Featured in the book Women of Power (1990).
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…
JAMES, Ann

Born 1839, Died 6/3/1912

Also known as: née Minogue, Granny

Just arrived from Galway, Ann married Moses Walter JAMES in 1858. In 1863, with three sons, they road packhorses to the gold diggings in Dargo and then on to Omeo. Eventually 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

FRAILLON, Nicolette Ella

Born 29/7/1960

1995 - Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, becoming the first Australian woman to conduct an Australian symphony orchestra.
2003 - Music Director and Chief Conductor, The Australian…
TREVASKIS, Evelyn Orlina

Born 1880, Died 1966

Also known as: née Holmes, Bessie, Eveline

Teacher, land girl, pioneer. Her story (autobiography) is in file.
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

MACFARRELL, Elizabeth

1846 - First woman newspaper editor in Australia, Perth Gazette.
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

BARTLETT, Faye

One of the first women police in the Northern Territory. All commenced their recruit training (with a number of men) in February 1961, and the course “passed out” on 10 April 1961. All…
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

RICE, Kathleen

The electoral roll for 1940 indicates tha less than 5% of the female population were in paid employment. The most popular work was domestic service in positions such as housemaid,…
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

WALLACE, Lennie

Born 2/10/1930, Died 13/10/2013

Also known as: née Waddell, Ninda

Author of 'Leaves From The Peninsula' and 'Bitten by the Bull Bug'. Pioneer of Cape York station life.
MORRIS, Shirley Lorraine

Also known as: née Knowles, Shirley Knowles

First woman Fire Control Officer and Rural Watch Area Co-ordinator, Woodridge area, Gingin Shire, Western Australia. 1986 - First woman in Gingin West, Western Australia, Bush Fire…
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

PERRY, Ellen

Born 1908, Died 2005

Also known as: Nell

The Perry family arrived in Tennant Creek in 1934 to search for gold. Nell lived in Adelaide with their three children for around 10 years, having a distance relationship, before…
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

STEELE, Joyce Wilfred

Born 29/05/1909, Died 24/05/1991

Also known as: née Wishart

1966 - First South Australian woman to become Opposition Whip in South Australian Parliament.
1968 - First South Australian woman to achieve Cabinet rank in South Australian Parliament…
YOUNG, Simone

Born 2/3/1961

First woman to conduct at The Vienna Philharmonic and Paris Opera, La Bastille.
1987 - Young Australian of The Year.
1993 - First female Australian Conductor to achieve International…
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

ROBERTS, Rosetta

Early 1900s pioneer of the Coonalpyn District, South Australia.
RYAN, Susan Maree

Born 10/10/1942

1975-1988 - First first Labor Senator for the Australian Capital Territory.
1990 - Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to parliament. In the Hawke…
ROBERTSON, Gertrude Fanny Emma

Born 2/2/1900, Died 28 September 2002

Also known as: née Govier

Pioneer of the Birchip district, Victoria. Known locally as 'Mrs Robby', she was regarded as 'an asset to her community'.
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

KALENIK, Nancy

Part of pioneering Aboriginal family of Manangoora Station, near Borroloola. Married to a Yugoslavian fisherman who fishes the Gulf.
Nancy Kalenik features in Melissa McCord'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

LUDBROOK, Nelly Hooper

Born 14/6/1907, Died 9/5/1995

Also known as: née Woods

The first South Australian-born palaeontologist to demonstrate the importance of palaeontology to the mining industry and founded what is now known as the Biostratigraphy Section of…
READY, Mary

Born 1834, Died 06/04/1902

Also known as: née Hayes

First white woman in Mackay area of Queensland. Pioneer of the Mackay area, Queensland. Wife of bullocky James READY.
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

DECKERT, Emma Emilie

… women who make up the complete European female population of the town of Stuart and the Alice Springs Telegraph Station in June 1901. Stuart then consisted of one hotel, two…
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

PARKER, Evangelia

Born 16/01/1908, Died 3/10/2005

Also known as: née Dioctitis, Ellen

A migrant from Greek Island of Kastellorizo who arrived in Darwin in early 1900s. Father worked on building railway line from Pine Creek to Katherine River.
SUTHERLAND, Joan

Born 1926, Died 2010

Also known as: Dame Joan Sutherland, La Stupenda

Joan Sutherland was a world famous soprano, one of the greatest voices of the twentieth century. Joan studied at the Royal College of Music in London, making a successful debut at…
THORNTON, Sigrid

Born 12/02/1959

2002 - Centenary Medal for acting and service to the media. 2002 - Board member for Film Victoria. 2007 - Member of Malthouse Theater board.
2000 - Silver Logie, most outstanding…
RANDELL, Mary Ann Elliot

Born 1799, Died 1874

Also known as: née Beare

Pioneer of Gumeracha in Adelaide Hills, South Australia.Steamship 'Mary Ann' on Murray River was named after 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

ANDREW, Elizabeth

Born 1948, Died 12/4/1993

Also known as: Elizabeth Andrew-Oates

Northern Territory's first woman to hold an executive and Cabinet position. At first, she was the Executive Member for Education and Consumer Services, then for Education and Law…
ZOG, Susan Barbara

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 9th cousin…
SHARP, Robyn

Also known as: Dr Robyn Sharp

First female Veterinarian in Riverland, South Australia.
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

LEWIS, Ann

Born 1926

1948 - First woman commercial pilot in Western Australia. Awarded the Coronation Medal for representing the women's flying branch of the R.A.F.
First female pilot to fly for 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

TREFRY, Christine

Born 10/05/1955

First Northern Territory woman Gold Medal Pistol Shooter. 1994 - Gold Medalist, Victoria Commonwealth Games.
1998 - Gold Medalist, Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
STONE, Sophie Muir

Born 1934

First woman to purchase a new Steiger tractor on her own behalf. Her photo is on the wall in US office of Steiger. Awarded a Conditional Purchase block of land to clear and develop for…
STREHLOW, Freidericke Johanna Henriette

Born 31/08/1875, Died 30/04/1957

Also known as: née Keysser, Frieda

Pioneer wife of Missionary Carl STREHLOW and mother of Prof. T.G.H.(Ted) STREHLOW.
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

MEANEY, Esther

Born 1914, Died 17-12-2002

Also known as: née Sargent

Inaugural member of Darwin Housewives Association.1950 - Elected President.Northern Territory Pioneer.Wrote Esther: The True Life Story of an Australian Country Girl.
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

WITT, Edith Miriel

Born 11/10/1905, Died 19/11/2005

Also known as: Miriel

1943 - First woman pharmacist to become a “Pharmacy Academic” in Victoria. 1926 - Graduated Victorian College of Pharmacy.1927 - Registered as a qualified pharmacist.1934 - Joined 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

TAYLOR, Bernadette (Cpl.)

2001 - One of first women in contingent of Australia's Federation Guard to take up ceremonial duties outside Buckingham Palace, London.
MENUHIN, Hephzibah

Born 20/05/1920, Died 1/01/1981

She made her public debut at age 8 in San Francisco. She was her brother Yehudi’s accompanist as her parents rejected a career in music for her.
1933 - Their recording of Mozart’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

FIELD, Michelle

“In September 1988, three trailblazing women - Michelle Field, Jacqui Segger and Virginia Forbes (née Bell) - graduated alongside twenty men from the Victoria Street Training College…
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…
LAXON, Sheila

First woman to train a Melbourne Cup winner.
2002 - Made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to racing.
PURVIS, Adele Viola

A pastoral matriach from Woodgreen Station, Adele was the first person to donate a box of papers to the Alice Springs office of the Northern Territory Archives when it opened in 2003…
TERRY, Bobbie

With Jean Gardiner, was the first woman to own her own aircraft (a De Soutter) which she flew on family property in Quirindi, 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

TOVELL, Ada Isabel J.

Born 1865, Died 19/08/1932

Also known as: née Fenton

First woman to take the degree of M.A.C.D. at the Australian College of Dentistry at Melbourne Dental Hospital.
1900 - M.A.C.D.
1903 - L.D.S.
LEE, Suzanne

1992 - First Alice Springs' Miss Australia.
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

LAWTON, Margaret Doreen

Born 18/4/1923, Died 18/5/2002

Also known as: Peg, Peggy, Peg Gooden

1998 - Awarded Order of Australia in Australia Day Honours List, community service to the Flinders Medical Centre Volunteer Service. 22 years volunteering at Flinders Medical Centre,…
APPEL, Kristen Alanna

Born 23/7/1964

First female national park ranger to be in charge of a national park/reserve in Australia (Arltunga) - August 1992.