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

STEFFANONI, Sophia Elizabeth

Born 8/05/1873, Died 1/11/1906

Also known as: née Steffanoni, Sophie

Impressionist Artist.In 1886 her embroidery was exhibited at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London. Ca 1890 she joined the family business as full-time designer 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

, Ranjika

Died 1918

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

SNOOK, Wendy

1991 - First female chaplain in the Defence Forces.
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

RIDSDALE, Mary Cecilia

Born 1924, Died 2007

Also known as: née Clancy

First Solicitor at Katherine, Northern Territory, Regional Legal Aid Service. 1942 - Winner of Harry Emmerton Exhibition for Articled Clerks.
CARDONA, Elna Joy Cardona

Born 18/3/1956

Also known as: Joy Cardona

Joy Cardona is the first woman in Australian Rules to officiate a representative match. This was the Northern Territory versus Hawthorn in 1991, and she still has the score card! She…
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…
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

WOODS, Elizabeth Jean

Born 18/10/1955

Also known as: Beth

Australia's first female Rhodes Scholar, Queensland Rhodes Scholar 1977. As of 2018, she is the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Queensland.
MEREDITH, Louisa Ann

Born 20/07/1812, Died 21/10/1895

Also known as: née Twamley

1880 - First women in Australia to design a postage stamp. She sketched the platypus on a Tasmanian Duty Stamp. Two years later these stamps were authorised for postal use. 1835 -…
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

LETT, Phyllis Burgh

Born 1884, Died 1/6/1962

Also known as: née Lett, Phyllis Burgh Ker, Charlie, Pat, Mick, Pete

Lived on Wyaldra Station (Julia Creek) and Tweedsmuir (at Richmond, North Queensland).World famous Contralto.
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

PATERSON, Patricia

Also known as: Pat

Australia's or New South Wales's first female Health and Building Surveyor.
BURROW, Sharan

Born 1954

In 2000, Sharan Burrow became the first woman President of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) Asia Pacific Region. In 2004, she was first woman ICFTU…
JAMES, Kathleen

Worked on the land on stations in Central Australia, while raising five children.
BISHOP, Bronwyn Kathleen

Born 19/10/1942

Also known as: nee Setright

Bronwyn Bishop was the first woman to be president of any political Party in New South Wales when elected President of the Liberal Party in NSW (1985); first woman from NSW to be…
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…
LOVELY, Louise Nellie

Born 28/2/1895, Died 19/3/1980

Also known as: née Alberti, Louise Alberti (maiden name), Louise Carbasse (stage name), Louise Cowan (married name), Louise Lovely (stage name), Louise Welch (former married name)

She is credited by film historians for being the first Australian actress to have a successful career in Hollywood. She made 55 motion pictures between 1911-1922, most in Hollywood…
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

LITTLE, Margaret Ellen

1978 - First woman police officer to be awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for bravery in Queensland and 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

TRUMAN, Nellie

Born 28/06/1900

Also known as: née Moyle

Stayed in Alice Springs for 20 months while travelling with husband and four sons in 1952. Embroidered a tablecloth when she left with 24 signatures of local C.W.A. members.
BIRDSEYE, Sylvia Jessie Catherine

Born 26/01/1902, Died 9/08/1962

Also known as: née Merell

Pioneer of transport services in South Australia. First woman in South Australia to gain a Commercial Driving Licence (1923). Memorial cairn on Eyre Highway; Birdseye Highway - 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

LAMBERT, Roslyn Marjory

Born 2/4/1943

Believed to be the first woman in the banking industry to be granted male pay rate.
MILLER, Emma

Born 26 June 1839, Died 22/01/1917

Also known as: née Holmes, Grand Old Woman of Queensland Labour, Mother of the Australian Labor Party, Mother Miller

1890 - Founded a women’s union, advocating equal pay and votes for women.
The first woman and life member of the Brisbane Workers’ Political Organisation.
1894-1905 - Foundation…
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…
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

DOUDY, Jane Sarah

Born 28/09/1846, Died 17/08/1932

Also known as: née Stanes, Jeanne

1879 - First Headmistress, Advanced School for Girls, the first government secondary school for girls in Adelaide.
MCBURNEY, Mona Margaret

Born 29/7/1862, Died 4/12/1932

1896 - became the fourth Bachelor of music graduate, and the first such woman graduate from an Australian university.
1926 - First woman to have her opera The Dalmatian performed 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

DEAN-WILLIAMS, Irene Selina

Born 12/7/1903, Died 3/7/1946

Also known as: née Schmidt, Selina Irene Schmidt, Rene

1932 - Flew her Gipsy Moth from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide and Melbourne, and returned to Perth, becoming the first aviatrix to fly across Australia East to West. She set the…
ALLSOP, Joan Winifred

Born 10/11/1912, Died 12/10/2000

Australian adult educator. With the assistance of a grant, Allsop was able to attend Columbia University in New York, where she became the first Australian to obtain a doctor of…
THOMAS, Alice Jean

Born 1900

Also known as: née Bertram, Jean Thomas

1938 - Drove Buick (1936) car across Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory into Queensland then back to Tasmania with two women friends and her 7 year old twin sons.
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

LEE, Patsy

Born 1925, Died 20/6/2017

“Grand Old Dame of Fishing” in Gladstone, Queensland and possibly Australia's oldest and most experienced fisherwoman. Won Queensland titles.
SOMERFIELD, Charlotte Bridget Godhauter

Born 28/11/1870, Died 30/7/1946

Also known as: née Jung

1921-26 - Had mail contract delivering by camel, between Oodnadatta, South Australia and Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Based at Old Crown Point Station, she and husband also ran…
CARNELL, Kate

1995 - First woman from Liberal Party elected as a State or Territory Chief Minister, for the ACT
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

PASPALIS, Chrysamthi

Born 13/07/1913, Died 25/04/1995

Also known as: née Kailis, Chrissie, Chrissy

Received The Order of the British Empire - Officer (Civil) in 1976. Well-known in Darwin social circles. 1942 - Last woman to be evacuated from Darwin area after February bombing…
MCIVER, Dale

2005 - First woman to become Captain of a “battleship” (HMAS Defender) at the Henley-on-Todd regatta in Alice Springs.
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

KELLOW, Lynette Moira

Born 1919

Also known as: nee Salathiel

1939 - Flew with Eddie Conellan and husband John Kellow to Alice Springs. Donated a “First Day Cover” air letter to her parents which was part of the first mail run by Conellan Airways…
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

TRUNDLE, Ailsa Merle

Born 9/08/1916, Died 26/04/2002

1940s - One of first female partners appointed in architecture in Western 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

PYPER, Alison M.

Also known as: née Mitchell

1967 - Nurse at Alice Springs Hospital for 17 years. 1997-2004 - Worked in two major Saudi Arabian hospitals. Following was one year in Kuwait, 20 months in United Arab Emirates, and 2…
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

IRONSIDE, Adelaide

Born 17/11/1831, Died 15/4/1867

1856 - First Australian born woman to have an International professional career as a painter.
Republican and close associate of Daniel Henry Deniehy (for more information on Deniehy,…
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

WOOD, Rebecca

Also known as: Becky

First female in Northern Territory to train as a Telstra communications technician.
HOLMAN, Mary Alice

Born 18/07/1893, Died 20/03/1939

Also known as: May

Australia's first female Labor Parliamentarian (Western Australia) who served more than ten years.
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…
SHEPHERD, Janine Lee

Born 7/01/1962

First Australian partial paraplegic to fly an FA 18 Jet fighter.
First female director of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Former cross-country skier. Part Paraplegic Pilot -…
KIEK, Winifred

Born 1884, Died 23/5/1975

Also known as: née Jackson

1923 - She became the first woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Divinity, Melbourne College of Divinity.
1927 - Winifred became the first woman ordained as a minister of the…
HYNES, Inez

Also known as: née Hynes

1938 - Appointed South Australia's first air hostess.
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

WELLS, Elizabeth

Born 1862, Died 1950

Also known as: née Saunders

Pioneer of Hobart, Zeehan, and St Mary in Tasmania. Her husband was Station Master with the Tasmanian Railways.
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

CHETTLE, May Venetta

Born 20/05/1906, Died 26/08/1997

Also known as: née Robb, May, Maise, formerly Lawrie

Maise Robb was the first teacher at the Bungalow, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, when it moved to the Old Telegraph Station during the 1930s. She lived in town and drove to work…
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, Marie Therese

Born 6/9/1954, Died 30/12/2004

Along with Carole Frost, Marie Kilgariff was one of two women who were the first female members of Rotary Clubs in Northern Territory and 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

GOREY, Nathalie Gladwyn

Died 11/11/1951

Also known as: née Lacey, Nat

1947 - Founded first free kindergarten in Alice Springs. First President of Alice Springs Kindergarten Inc. Author of The Alice, The Story of Alice Springs and a book 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

O'SHEA, Catherine

Also known as: née O’Keeffe

1918- Ran a boarding house at Emungalen (near Katherine, Northern Territory).
1927 - She and husband (Tim) built and ran The Railway Hotel in Katherine, Northern Territory.
1929 -…
ALLAN, Stella

Born 25/10/1871, Died 1/3/1962

Also known as: Stella Henderson, ‘Vesta’ (pen name)

Introduced the first woman's page in Australian daily paper. In 1907, the Argus commissioned Stella to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women's Work…
MACKENZIE, Myra

Born 1881, Died 1969

Also known as: née Rendle

1899 - First qualified female dentist in Queensland (practicing Brisbane 1899, registered 1903).
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

MILNES, Elizabeth

Born 18/07/1911, Died 04/1999

Also known as: née Hayes, Lizzie

1911 & 1932 - First white woman to be both born and married in Alice Springs.
1972 - First woman to own a Northern Territory cattle station, which she owned for 35 years.
1999 -…