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

EVATT, Elizabeth Andreas

Born 11/11/1933

Australian reformist lawyer and jurist. A leading trailblazer, her support of women's civil and human rights has left Australia with a significant and lasting legacy. A woman with…
LEE, Suzanne

1992 - First Alice Springs' Miss Australia.
LAWRENCE, Marjorie Florence

Born 17/2/1907, Died 13/1/1979

1946 - Received the cross of the Légion d'honneur, France.
1976 - Appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Former singer who, after contracting…
MAYO, Lilian Daphne

Born 1/10/1895, Died 31/7/1982

Also known as: Daphne

1919 - First woman to be awarded the Rome Scholarship by the Royal Academy in London.
1927-30 - Carved the Brisbane City Hall tympanum.
1929-32 - Carved the Queensland Women's War…
TAYLOR, Amy Katherine

Born 28/12/1923, Died 28/01/2018

Also known as: née Millgate

1946 - First woman in New South Wales Police to perform traffic duty.
1984 - The first and only woman to be elected to the Combined Services Sub-Branch Committee of the Returned and…
STARK, Amy Gwendoline

Born 3/04/1910, Died 28/11/1994

Also known as: née Stark, Gwen, Starkie, Gwen Caldwell

1941 - First service woman recruited by WAAAF in New South Wales. On 40th Anniversary of Anzac Day, she was the first woman honoured to give the Dawn Service Address in Sydney.
1968 -…
ARMFIELD, Lillian

Born 3/12/1884

Lillian Armfield was Australia's first policewoman. She was recruited as probationary special constable on 1 July, 1915, earned less than her male counterparts and was ot provided…
LYNDON, Maree

1987 - First female jockey in Australia to ride in the Melbourne Cup.
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…
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

SCHWARZ, Anna Wilhelmine Charlotte Dorothea

Also known as: née Schultz (Schultz, Schultze), Wilhelmine

The first white women to settle in Central Australia were Dorothea Queckenstedt and Wilhelmine Schulze from Germany, the wives of missionaries Kempe and Schwarz. They arrived at…
KILROY, Debbie

Born 1961

Also known as: née Harding

Debbie is a prison reformer and founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sisters Inside Inc. In 2007, Debbie was the first person in Australian with serious convictions to be admitted by…
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, Eliza

Also known as: née Deed

Wife of an Alice Springs Telegraph Station telegraph operator.
PATTERSON, Kay Christine Lesley

Born 21/11/1944

She was elected as a Liberal Party Senator for Victoria in 1987 and went on to become Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister 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

ANDERSON, Shirley

1 of 2 first women Air Traffic Controllers in Australia (Sydney Airport 1960).
STOTT DESPOJA, Natasha Jessica

Born 9/09/1969

Also known as: née Stott Despoja, Nat

2001 - Senator Australian Democrat Party. Youngest woman parliamentarian and youngest party leader in Australian history.
KONG, Marlene

1997-1998 - Marlene and her twin sister Marilyn were the first Indigenous women to graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Sydney. 1993 - Inaugural winner of the…
RANKIN, Annabelle Jane Mary

Born 28/07/1908, Died 30/08/1986

Also known as: née Rankin

The first woman to head an Australian diplomatic mission, she was the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand from 1971-1974. Prior to her diplomatic career she had been 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

VICTORIAN LADIES YACHT CLUB,

First all female Yacht Club in Australia (maybe the world). Later known as the Hampton Sailing Club.
KENNY, Elizabeth

Born 20/9/1880, Died 30/11/1952

Also known as: Sister Elizabeth Kenny

1911 - First person to implement an effective method of treatment for Infantile Paralysis (Poliomyelitis).
1927 - Designed and patented the “Sylvia”ambulance stretcher which reduced…
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

PRESS, Beth

From Yuanduma - Chair of Council Indigenous Advisory Council - to suggest ways to win Indigenous disadvantage.
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

GAGLIARDI, Maria Concetta

Born 20/10/1911, Died 13/09/1998

Also known as: née Ciccone, Concetta, Connie

Concetta and Giuseppe GAGLIARDI opened the first Alice Springs “night spot,” a dance hall, which was part of their complex opposite Melanka, in which they also sold meals and the first…
BLIGH, Anna Maria

Born 14/7/1960

2007 - 2012: first woman to be appointed Premier of Queensland, the third female Premier of an Australian state, and the sixth female head of government of an Australian state or…
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

POOLE, Alma Jean

Born 1920

Also known as: née Kuhn, Jean
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

NOONUCCAL, Oodgeroo

Born 3/11/1920, Died 16/9/1993

Also known as: Kath Walker, born Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska

Self-educated from the age of 13, through her employers' libraries when a domestic servant, this Noonuccal woman from Queensland's Stradbroke Island wrote the anthology 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

LUCAS, Sue

2000 - First woman crew and first Victorian to win the Institute of Ambulance Officers (Australia) National Clinical Excellence competition.
2000 - Won Victorian Clinical Excellence…
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

JORDAN, Maria Jane

Also known as: Connor

1895-6 - Cook, housekeeper and companion to Mrs Amelia Maude Gillen (nee Besley), wife of Frank Gillen, who was the Alice Springs post and telegraph station master from 1892-1899. Cook…
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…
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.
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

GREGORY, Uanita

Born 03 March 1911, Died 1990

Also known as: née Gregory

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,…
FINLAYSON, Janet Catherine

Also known as: Jean

In 1915, John Flynn asked Sister Jean Finlayson to do a one-year trial as nursing sister in Stuart (now known as Alice Springs). 1915-1916 - First official Nursing Sister in Stuart…
LOCK, Annie

Born 1/8/1876, Died 10/2/1943

Also known as: Ann Lock

Pioneer missionary with United Aboriginal Missions. 1901 - Entered Angas College, Adelaide, a “Missionary Training Home for Ladies.”1903 - Joined the interdenominational 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

SWEET, Georgina

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…
BRAITLING, Doreen Rose

Born 1904, Died 02/1979

Also known as: née Crook

1977 - President of the National Trust (Northern Territory).
1979 - Awarded British Empire Medal for services to the Community. Pioneer Pastoralist on Mount Doreen Station with husband…
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…
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…
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…
MCCARTHY, Wendy Elizabeth

Born 22/7/1941

Also known as: née Ryan

1989 - Awarded Order of Australia for her contribution to community and women's affairs. Teacher.Chancellor of University of Canberra.Former Head of National Trust 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

BENSTEAD, Lucelle Stuart

Born 5/02/1891, Died 1983

Also known as: née Benstead, Lulu, Lucille

Tryphena had three children including Lucelle (Lulu) who is claimed to be the first white child born within Central MacDonnell Ranges in the town of Alice Springs (in 1891) and who…
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

KENEALLY, Kristina

Born 19/12/1968

Also known as: nee Kerscher

2009 - First female Premier of New South Wales. Active in student, religious and union affairs since 1990, Kristina Keneally was the first American born member of the New South Wales…
SWORD, Kirsty

Born 19/04/1966

Also known as: née Sword, Kirsty Sword-Gusmao, Ruby Blade

2005 - First Australian woman to be First Lady of East Timor (married President Xanana Gusmao). June 2015 - Sword Gusmão was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) “For…
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

SWEENEY, Veronica Geoghegan

Born 1949

Great great granddaughter of Irish convicts.Author of historical sagas set in Ireland and Australia, such as The Emancipist and South Lies The Valley. In 1989 her second novel made…
TAYLOR, Valerie May

Born 9/11/1935

Also known as: née Heighes

1960s - Became first female producer and filmmaker of underwater documentaries in Australia.
1992 - They are credited as the “first people to film great white sharks without 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

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…
LEWIS, Hayley Jane

Born 2/3/1974

1990 - Gold Medalist, Auckland Commonwealth Games - Swimming - 200m and 400m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly, 4 x 200m Relay.
1992 - Bronze Medalist, Barcelona Olympic Games - Swimming -…
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

WATSON, Tjunmutja Myra

Born 27/09/1927, Died 3/01/2009

Learned to read and write at United Aborigines Mission School at Ooldea, South Australia. After marriage, spent next 27 years at Gerard Mission in the Riverlands. Thirty years at…
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

MAXWELL, Jillian Fiona

Also known as: Jill

1997 - First woman to head Pulteney Grammar Schools governing body”, as chair, breaking a 150-year “men only” tradition and first non-clergy appointment in 125 years.
1995 - She was…
PETRICK, Elsa Margaretta

Died 12/1986

Also known as: née Johannsen

Journalist of Northern Territory. Daughter of pioneer Johannsen family.
CHEETHAM, Debra

Born 24/11/1964

Australia's first female Indigenous opera singer; in 2007, wrote “Pecan Summer,” Australia's first Indigenous opera, then trained the necessary Indigenous singers; “Pecan…
ROBEY, Senja Raymond

Born 25/01/1927

Also known as: née Havard

A foundation member of the Australian Women Pilots Association Senja learned to fly in a Tiger Moth in 1949. She has taught hundreds of students to fly and ferried many aircraft to new…