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

PERKINS, Evelyn Mary

Born 1889, Died 06/1968

Also known as: née Bray

The inaugural meeting of the Alice Springs Branch of the CWA was held at the Residency in 1933. This branch was formed by Mrs J A Perkins, immediate past president of 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

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.
ALLCHIN, Mary David

Born 17/5/1913

Pioneer of Central Australia. Arrived in Alice Springs in 1941, took her final vows with the Catholic Church in 1942 and helped establish Arltunga mission in 1942. Also worked on…
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

LESTER, Nellie

1938 - Nellie Lester was the first Aborigine to attend High School at Quorn, South Australia.
First Aboriginal, triple certified, nursing sister. First Matron of Aboriginal descent,…
STONE, Emma Constance

Born 4/12/1856, Died 29/12/1902

Also known as: Constance

1890 - First woman to be registered as a Medical Practitioner in Australia by the Medical Board 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

JOSHUA, Eadith Walker

Born 1897

Pioneer of Cobar and Wilcannia district, New South Wales. Wrote her life story, The Daisies at my Feet.
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

STAWELL, Juliet E M

1916 - One of the first women (along with Annie Littlejohn) to enroll in Architecture at Melbourne University - did not complete course.
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

, Ranjika

Died 1918

Ranjika, a Western Arrernte woman, was the mother of Gloria LEE.
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

KIRK, Maureen Patricia

Born 13/9/1955, Died 23/4/2001

Also known as: née Brown

In 1987, Maureen became the first Indigenous volunteer cancer support worker in Australia. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and, at the time, there were no cancer…
MARKS, Elizabeth Nesta

Born 28/4/1918, Died 25/10/2002

Also known as: Pat, Patricia

An Australian entomologist who described 38 new mosquito species, as well as new species of fruit flies, bugs, cockroaches, and ticks. 1938 - Bachelor of Science in Zoology, University…
DENNIS, Sarah

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

Also known as: née Marks

Pioneer of Bendigo area of Victoria.
FLOREANI, Italia

Born 1916, Died 21/09/2012

Also known as: Flo, Ita

On 18 March 1940 Italia Floreani boarded the last but one passenger boat Romola to leave Italy after war was declared in Europe the previous year. With her 18-month-old daughter…
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

DAVSON, Sharon

Also known as: Sharon Davson Barker

2000 - Founder and chair of the international initiative 48 Hours to World Peace Inspirational artist, writer and consultant, actor, fashion designer, speaker and activist.
ROSS, Annie

Also known as: SOUTHALL

December 1915 - One of two women appointed as South Australia's first women police constables. Annie and Kate COCKS founded the South Australia Women Police Branch, the first 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

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.
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

WADE, Ada Mary

Born 1909

Also known as: née Smith (formerly Pick)

One of first babies baptised at Alice Springs Catholic Church Pioneer of Arltunga, Tennant creek, Hatches Creek and Alice Springs. Attended school behind old Courthouse.When Mrs Ida…
TAYLOR, Doris Irene

Born 25/07/1901, Died 23/05/1968

1953 - Founder of first Meals on Wheels organisation in Australia (South Australia). 1959 - Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire.
The South Australian Electoral district…
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.
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…
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…
SOUTHCOTT, Heather Joyce

Born 15/11/1928, Died 21/11/2014

1982 - First Australian Democrat woman elected to South Australian House of Assembly and the first woman to lead a parliamentary political party in Australia. June 1991 - She was made…
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

BART, Cheryl

Cheryl is the first Australian female and the 31st person worldwide to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam. The Seven Summits which includes Mt Everest was completed in May 2008…
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

KEMPE, Marie Henriette Dorothea

Died 1891

Also known as: nee Queckenstedt, Dorothee

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…
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

COOPER, Dido

Born 1897

When Adelaide House was opened in 1926, it was run by nurses … with the help of Aboriginal women like Dido Cooper.
MILLER, Robin Elizabeth

Born 8/12/1940, Died 7/12/1975

Also known as: née Miller, The Sugarbird Lady

Robin was a nurse and a pilot. From 1967-69 she flew to many remote Aboriginal communities administering the Sabin polio vaccine on sugar cubes. The children called her “the sugarbird…
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

KIME, Karen

Also known as: Reverend Karen Kime

Karen Kime was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church of Australia in 2000.She was the first Aboriginal woman to become a priest in New South Wales. In February 2012, Karen was…
WEBER, Ivy Lavinia

Born 7/6/1892, Died 6/3/1976

Also known as: née Filshie

1937 - President, League of Women Electors.
1937 - Candidate for the Legislative Assembly seat of Nunawading, State election and became the second woman to be elected to the Victorian…
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

STREHLOW, Bertha Gwendoline Alexandra

Born 1911, Died 1984

Also known as: née James

Pioneered with husband, Anthropologist, 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

MORGAN, Lorraine

1991 - First woman to join Lions Club in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory.
First woman to join Lions Club of MacDonnell at Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
1999 - First woman to be…
GARLAND, Eva Mabel

Born 30/6/1912

Also known as: née Lawrence, Mable

1990 - Received Advance Australia award. 1992 - Received Australian Day Citizenship award. 1995 - Recipient of Adult Learners’ Award. 1999 - Received Premier’s Seniors Achievement…
ROLAND, Betty

Born 22/07/1903, Died 12/02/1996

Also known as: née Mary Isabel Maclean/McLean, Betty M. Davies, Mary Isabel Davies

Wrote her first play The Touch of Silk in 1928. Also known for her four volume autobiography. In 1951 she legally changed her name to Betty Roland.
ZAMPATTI, Carla Maria

Born 19/5/1942

1965 - Produced her first collection.
Bulletin/Qantas Business Woman of the Year Award.
1987 - Member of the Order of Australia for service to fashion and manufacture.
1999 - First…
KAHN, Ronni

Born 1952

Ronni revolutionised the food waste sector, delivering 13,300 meals each day to the homeless and hungry through her OzHarvest charity. Her work earned her the title of 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

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.
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

KOLBE, Anne

2003 - First female President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Anne is a paediatric surgeon from Auckland, New Zealand. 2011-2016 - Served by Ministerial appointment as…
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.
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, Robin

Possibly youngest female solo glider pilot (aged 16) in Australia (Alice Springs Gliding Club, Northern Territory).
KERR, Lottie

Born 13/8/1885, Died 16/11/1957

Also known as: née Hill

Established Delny Station in Central Australia, with her husband Alexander Kerr. Lottie Hill grew up in a family of 12 children and a 13th adopted child. After the death of her…
REYNELL, Gladys

Born 4/09/1881, Died 16/11/1956

Also known as: née Reynell, Gladys Osborne

Gladys Reynell was South Australia's first studio potter and the first Australian artist to apply modernist principles to the crafts. She was also an accomplished painter and…
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

THOMAS, Laura

Born 1967

Also known as: née Perucich

2001 - First woman in Australia to be 'Chief Whip Cracker' on a major car launch - Holden Monaro's $60m project.
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

DARKEN, Vicki

Born 1929, Died 3/05/2014

Also known as: née Ormond

The first Miss Northern Territory (Vicki Ormond); married (1942) to Constable Bob Darken, their tent honeymoon gave Honeymoon Gap its name; a “pioneer” who lived in rough conditions at…
HARLAND, Enid

Also known as: née Batchelor

Enid Harland has been a tireless worker for over twenty years, working with families of prisoners in Alice Springs and helping prisoners stay connected to their families. She…
LYNDON, Maree

1987 - First female jockey in Australia to ride in the Melbourne Cup.
SHEWCROFT, Joyce Eileen

Born 28/8/1912, Died 28/10/2001

Also known as: J. Shewcroft (pen name), Joyce Shoecroft (common misspelling)

First woman Corporation Lawyer (for the ABC) in Australia.
First woman to complete the Barristers' Admission Board Course.
Founding member and first President of New South Wales…
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…
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…
MITTELHEUSER, Margaret Helen

Born 25/07/1931, Died 27/12/2013

1964 - First woman stockbroker in Australia and almost certainly the world. 1952 - Received Bachelor of Commerce degree, University of Queensland.1952 - She joined the firm Corser…
BARCLAY, Cora

Born 22/02/1923, Died 07/11/2009

Also known as: Cora Michalk

1969 Awarded the Order of the British Empire 1986 Life member of Australian Association of Teachers of the Deaf for services to the education of hearing impaired children. Cora Barclay…
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

ROSE, Carmel Mary

Born 1923, Died 13/10/1996

Also known as: née Kerrison

Widow of Colonel Lionel Rose, Chief Veterinarian Officer for the Animal Industry Branch. Her contribution to Emergency Home Help Organisation was invaluable.