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

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

SMITH, Wilhelmina

Born 1886, Died 24/06/1975

Also known as: Bill, Girlie, William

“Bill” Smith was Australia's first woman jockey.
WRIGLEY, Joycelyn

Born 8/11/1918

Also known as: née Devoy, Joyce

First woman in New South Wales to apply and be granted a Lady Trainer's Licence (horse racing). Has competed in and won just about every type of horse riding competition.
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

BELL, Virginia

“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…
LEE, Mary

Born 14/2/1821, Died 18/9/1909

Also known as: née Walsh

1890 - Founder of the Working Women's Trade Union. In 1895 aged 74, she was nominated to stand for parliament for the United Labour Party but declined.
2001 - Inducted onto…
ZIGENBINE, Edna

Born 10/10/1926, Died 15/09/2007

Also known as: née Zigenbine, Edna Jessop

Edna was Australia's first female boss drover. She began working full-time as a drover at the age of 14 and was droving with her family across the Northern Territory on the…
BROWN, Marlene Jean

Born 1934

Also known as: nee Chaffer

In 1968, Marlene Brown became the first female alderman elected to the Town Management Board of Alice Springs (predecessor of Town Council) and served a second term with the board…
ALLARD, Louise

2006 - First Australian woman to ski to the North Pole
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

STEWART, Ethel

Born 05/1907

Also known as: née Sinclair, Isa

Winner of the 1985 Australian Jack-Be-Nimble Championships (Knuckle Bone (Jacks) Champion).
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

WHALEY, Joyce Charlotte

Died 08/06/2002

Also known as: Joy, Mumma Joy

Known as 'Mumma Joy' in Timor. Pioneer in dedicated services to disabled children in both Australia and East Timor. Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, for…
PINK, Ella Lillian May

Born 1890, Died 1986

“The first Australian woman optometrist to hold overseas qualifications in optometry was Ella Lillian May Pink who earned the Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers…
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…
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

PRINCE, Agnes Melda

Also known as: Melda

“Western Australia author and poet. … marrying Eric Prince. Together they took up five thousand acres of virgin land near Esperance in 1927.” Pioneer of Esperance and Mallee District…
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

MORTON, Maryanne

2003 - First Aboriginal woman to head up an Australian company earning more than $50m a year. Awarded Northern Territory Star of Achievement from Chief Minister Clare Martin. 1990 -…
WALTER, Patricia

Born 1926, Died 23/11/2017

Also known as: Pattie

Camerawoman for ABC news 1964-1986. Possibly the first woman cinematographer in Australia.1993 - first woman to be given Life Membership of the Australian Cinematographers Society.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

KELL, Elizabeth Mary

Born 1791, Died 22/1/1827

Pioneer of old Sydney Town and the Illawarra district. Elizabeth arrived in Sydney Cove in 1819 aboard the “Minerva” with her husband George and three children (one born on board)…
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

MANN, Ida Caroline

Born 6/2/1893, Died 19/11/1983

Also known as: née Mann, Caroline Gye (pseudonym), Ida Gye (married name)

1949 - First person to diagnose Trachoma epidemic in Indigenous population in the Kimberley area of Western Australia.
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…
GREGORY, Metha

Born 27/08/1886, Died 11/08/1958

Also known as: née Zimmerman, Meta, Matha

Pioneer of Alice Springs, Northern Territory and Oodnadatta, South Australia.
TABART, Jill

Born 18/4/1941

1994-1997 - First woman president of Uniting Church in Australia (or any other church in Australia). 1964 - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Melbourne University.
AKHURST, Daphne Jessie

Born 22/4/1903, Died 9/1/1933

Also known as: Daphne Cozens

Daphne Akhurst was the first Australian woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals (1928), and the first Australian woman to figure prominently in tennis in overseas tours. She reached…
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

SEGGER, Jacqui

“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…
MCMANUS, Mary Anna

Born 7/2/1844, Died 22/7/1933

Also known as: née Spencer

First white child to live where Saint George is now situated. With her mother, they were the first white women to reside in Maranoa District, Roma Queensland. Wrote Reminiscences of…
BRATTON, Sarina

In 1999, Sarina Bratton became the first woman founder and chief executive officer of a cruise line anywhere in the world when she launched her Sydney-based Norwegian Capricorn Line…
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…
PINK, Olive

Born 1884, Died 1975

Olive Pink was one of Australia’s pioneering women anthropologists and the founder of what is now the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens on Tuncks Road, Alice Springs.
She was also a fierce…
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

, Polly

Minnie GILLEN ran the household with the help of two Arrente Aboriginal women, … and Polly, who also looked after her two boys.
SMITH, Maria Ann

Born late 1799, Died 9/03/1870

Also known as: née Sherwood, Granny Smith

Woman orchardist (at Eastwood, Sydney, New South Wales) who produced the hybrid apple now known as “Granny Smith.”
AUSTIN, Maisie

Born 22/5/1949

Also known as: Maisie Adams

Maisie Austin was the first woman in the Northern Territory to become an Associate of the Australian Insurance Institute (1977). During the 1970s, Maisie started work for an insurance…
PRICHARD, Katharine Susannah

Born 4/12/1883, Died 02/10/1969

Also known as: née Prichard, Katherine Susannah Throssell

One of Australia's most celebrated writers. She wrote 13 novels and four short stories, among other works. She is attributed as being a founding member of the Communist Party 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

LAWLER, Alma Rita

Born 19/9/1900, Died 13/9/1987

Also known as: née Kennedy

Married Herbert Thomas Lawler of 'Hilldyke,' Michelogo. Raised her family and helped on the property when required. Teacher, St Vincents College, Potts Point, New South…
LINDSAY, Ruby

Born 20/3/1885, Died 12/3/1919

Also known as: Ruby Lind, Mrs Will Dyson

Sister of Creswick artist brothers Bill and Norman Lindsay.Worked under name “Ruby Lind” to separate her work from rest of family.Won special prize of a Diploma to be Awarded to…
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

LEVAI, Amy

Born 1930, Died 29/3/2013

Also known as: née O’Donoghue

First Indigenous teacher in South Australia.
1989 - Awarded NAIDOC Aboriginal of the Year; 1998 NAIDOC Aboriginal Elder of the Year.
2010 – Received award for Outstanding Service…
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

THORNE, Beatrice Anna

Born 23/01/1904

Pioneer of the Western Australian 'Group Settlement Scheme'. They pioneered a bush block in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, i.e., created a dairy farm from…
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…
BEASLEY, Mary Constance

Born 1937

Elected Acting Chairman of South Australia's Public Service Board in 1983, this was the first time a woman had held such office in Australia. She was also South 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

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

WEBB, Margaret

Widow of Bennett WEBB Jnr. Pioneer of Mt Riddock Station.
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

DAVID, Caroline Martha

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…
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

WALSH, Eliza

Died 1855

1824 - First Australian woman to be granted land in her own right.
TENNANT, Kylie

Born 12/03/1912, Died 28/02/1988

1935 - Winner of the S. H. Prior Memorial Prize for her first published novel Tiburon. 1942 - Australian Literary Society gold medal for The Battlers. 1960 - Won Children's Book…
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.
MCGINNIS, Kerry

Born 1945

Drover of Northern Territory, then pastoralist with her family on 900 square miles - Bowthorn Station in Queensland.Author of Pieces of Blue - her autobiography.
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

HARRISON, Winsome

One of South Australia's first women “Surfies.” The State's first women surfies surfaced in 1915.
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…
MCINTOSH, Beryl Grace

Died 12/1/2013

Also known as: née Hansen

Some of her awards:1999 - Received International Women’s Day award.2000 - Selected to carry Sydney 2000 Olympics torch.2001 - Received Centenary medal.2002 - Awarded Palmerston Proud…
NOSKE, Myrtle Edna

Born 22/11/1926

Also known as: née Johannsen

Artist and author. As an artist, was awarded the following: 1974 - Caltex Art Award
1977 - Caltex Religious Theme & General Motors Holden Best Landscape Award
1978 - Caltex…
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…
ADAM-SMITH, Patsy

Born 31/5/1924, Died 21/9/2001

Also known as: Patricia Jean Smith

First woman Articled on an Australian Merchant Ship (Radio Operator) (1954-60). Popular author of 33 books on history, folklore, and preserving national traditions, plus an…
TODD, Elizabeth

Born 22/09/1918, Died 31/07/2017

1968 - First woman Senior Lecturer in any discipline at the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney.
1980 - First woman President of Music Teachers' Association of New South Wales.
1980 -…