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

MACKENZIE, Myra

Born 1881, Died 1969

Also known as: née Rendle

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

Born 1/12/1930

Also known as: Dr Bashir, Marie Shehadie, Dame Marie Bashir

From 2001-2009, Marie Bashir was New South Wales' first female Governor; in 2001, she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia; from 2007-2012, she was the Chancellor…
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

THORSTENSEN, Lynette

First female Chief Executive Officer of Greenpeace 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

LICHTENBERG, Anna

Lecturer in Information Technology (IT) (now PhD and consultant at Curtin University. First woman involved in the IT department at the Community College in Alice Springs, Northern…
DE PIERRES, Rosemary Mina

Born 28/05/1926

Also known as: née Vincent

Rosemary was a good friend of Robin Miller and often helped her with her vaccine flights. She was the state president of the Australian Women Pilots Association and then went on to be…
WAKE, Nancy Grace Augusta

Born 30/08/1912, Died 7/08/2011

Also known as: The White Mouse

Recipient of USA Medal of Freedom, British George Medal, French Croix de Guerre with Palm (x 2) and Croix de Guerre with Star and Resistance Medal.
1988 - Chevalier of the Legion 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

VINES, Dorothy Ada

Matron Vines and members of the Australian Army Nursing Service off to work in a truck nick-named 'Leaping Lena'.
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.
YOUNG, Jessie Goldie

Born 25/5/1911, Died 23/9/1988

Also known as: née Matheson

First arrived at Ernabella 4 August 1938. Second visit 1942-1944. Her husband Len accredited with finding water at Ernabella.
MATHER, Enid Esther

Died 10/1998

Also known as: née L’Estrange, Esther L’Estrange, Esther Mather

1938 - First woman captain of Queensland Aerobatic Team.
1968 - Awarded the Paul Dissandier Diploma by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
1971 - Awarded the Nancy Bird…
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.
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.
SHUTTLE, Linda Joyce

Also known as: Sister Linda Mary, Reverend Sister Linda Mary

2009 - First Mother Superior of the Anglican Community of Sisters of the Church (CSC) (in the order's 140-year history) to live in Australia, instead of England.
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

PUNI, Puni

1939 - Aboriginal teenager who ran 80 miles to bring a rescue team to save a three year old boy (Ramon BROWN) from floods at Shirley Well, 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

MILLER, Patricia Ann

Born 1947

Also known as: née Liddle, Pat

1995 - Named Aboriginal of the Year by National Aborigines and Islander’s Day Observance Committee.
1997 - Received award from National Aborigines and Islander’s Day Observance…
ABBERTON, Verna

Written on the back of the drawing: Devoted member, very good fundraiser.
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

BAIRD, Jean

Wife of Rev. John Flynn the founder of Australian Inland Mission and the Royal Flying Doctor Service
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

WITHNELL, Emma Mary

Born 19/12/1842, Died 16/05/1928

Also known as: née Hancock

One of the first women in Western Australia to be made a Justice of the Peace. Settled near Mt Welcome in 1864. Her son, James, found the gold bearing stone which started the Pilbara…
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

PATON, Joan Burton

Born 1916, Died 28/04/2000

Also known as: née Cleland

“One of the first women to become a member of the exclusive Adelaide Ornithologists Club, of which she was elected President 1991-1993, she also served as president of the 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

MOSS, Lorna Beryl

Born 21/02/1922

Also known as: née Robinson

1946-47 - Helped organise Northern Territory's first public preschool, the Alice Springs Kindergarten.
Her son is Ian Moss, “an Australian rock musician … [and] … 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

LITTLEJOHN, Annie

1916 - One of the first women (along with Juliet Stawell) to enroll in Architecture at Melbourne University - did not complete course.
KEMP, Pat

Also known as: Sister, Doc

Pioneer Nurse. Arrived at Docker River in the Northern Territory in 1975 and stayed working at the clinic for 22 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

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…
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, Marilyn May

Born 1 June 1951, Died 2000

Daughter of Pioneer WEBB family of Mt Riddock Station. Nurse at Granite gold mine for 9 years.Foundation Life Member of NPWHF. Member of Northern Territory Women's Advisory…
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

MILLS, Rebecca

Died 23/08/1927

First woman on a Board of Directors (although NPWHF researchers have been unable to discover details). In 1926, Rebecca was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 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

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…
GILMORE, Mary Jean

Born 16/08/1865, Died 3/12/1962

Also known as: née Cameron, Dame Mary Jean Cameron, Em Jaycey, Sister Jaycey, Rudione Calvert

The first woman executive/member of the Australian Workers’ Union.
1928 - Founder of the Fellowship of Australian Writers.
1937 - Made Dame of the British Empire for her contribution…
PRIOR, Margaret

Chief pilot of 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

MACKENZIE, E. J. M.

1876 - First female Superintendent of Children's Hospital, King William Street, Adelaide South Australia.
KUNOTH-MONKS, Rosalie Lynette

Born 1937

Also known as: Ngarla KUNOTH, “Rosie”

In 1955, Rosalie became the first Aboriginal female to take lead role in a feature film (Jedda). This film was Australia's first feature-length colour movie. After leaving the…
NORTHCOTE, Alice Maude

Died 06/1934

Also known as: née Alice Brooke, Alice Stephen

Lady Northcote was created a Companion of the Order of the Crown of India (CI) when her husband became Governor of Bombay in 1900 and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British…
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, Catherine

1945 - Writer of short stories for magazines while living on Ammaroo Station where her husband was manager.
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

BLOOMFIELD, Mary Paulena

Born 20/07/1917, Died 9/05/1994

Also known as: née Hayes

Daughter of Ann Jane “Jane” Hayes.
PROUDLOVE, Martha Patricia

Died 13/10/1997

Also known as: Patti, Pattie

1930s - First woman to hold a bus driver's licence in Western Australia. Ran a public and tourist bus service with husband and family from Denmark to Albany, Western Australia and…
MOORE-BENTLEY, Mary Ann

Born 6/01/1865, Died 1/091953

Also known as: née Bentley, Mary Ling

1903 - First woman — - along with Vida Goldstein, Selina Anderson and Nellie Martel — - in Australia and the British Empire to stand for National Parliament (unsuccessful). Also a…
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

CARNEY, Jodeen

Born 9/12/1965

2005 - First female Leader of the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party
First Centralian to be Leader of the Country Liberal Party.
JACKSON, Lauren Elizabeth

Born 11/5/1981

Also known as: Jacko, LJ, Loz

Regarded as Australia's greatest ever female basketball player. Led the team to four Olympic silver medals. Chosen to carry the Australian flag in the 2012 Olympics. 2000 - Silver…
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…
BUTTROSE, Ita Clare

Born 17/1/1942

Acknowledged for her brilliant and groundbreaking media career, Ita Buttrose has also dedicated her considerable energy and skills to championing medical education and health care. Ita…
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

RUMBAL, Mere

Owner and Director of Alice Springs Central Dance Theatre.2002 - Awarded world's first honour by British Ballet organisation for 50 years service to the dance industry.
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.
PETERSON, Gwen

Gwen became C.E.O. of Peterson Industries Pty. Ltd. after her husband Max passed away in 2002.
The Company had its beginnings in 1948, when it was set up in an old stone barn in a…
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…
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

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…
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

LANG, Nell Margaret

Born 22/4/1913, Died 31/3/2002

Also known as: née Barrow

One of the first nurses to be admitted to the Navy, during World War II. 1944-1945 - Navy nurse - Served in Milne Bay, New Guinea.
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…