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

ALLPORT, Mary Morton

Born 17/5/1806, Died 10/6/1895

Also known as: Mary Morton Chapman (maiden name)

Mary Allport was Tasmania's first professional woman artist. She exhibited in local exhibitions and published lithographs. She advertised her professional services as a portrait…
MUNRO, Grace Emily

Born 25/03/1879, Died 23/07/1964

Also known as: née Gordon

1922 - Founder of the Country Women's Association of Australia (CWA), with her as the president. She travelled New South Wales and Queensland , and by 1923 formed 68 branches 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

GAGLIARDI, Antoinette

Antoinette, the first child of Maria Concetta “Connie” née Ciccone and Giuseppe Gagliardi arrived in Australia, via Argentina, with her mother in 1938.
BRUCEK, Ida Joy

Born 4/4/1923, Died 2/7/1997

Also known as: Joy Brucek, Ida Joy Cuskey (maiden name)

1953 - Established first library in Alice Springs. 1962 - Granted first restaurant liquor licence in Alice Springs for Zdena Motel (where Alice Resort is now located, on Stott Terrace,…
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

OWEN, Thelma Dawn

Also known as: Dawn

Proprietor of Polka Dot Fabric Shop in Alice Springs for 33 years. She opened the shop, with Edna Maskell, 20 February 1964.
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

ALSOP, Ruth

Born 1879, Died 1976

First woman to qualify as an architect in Victoria. She began work at her younger brother Rodney's firm Klingender & Alsop sometime after 1907. She worked for the firm for seven…
GIBBS, May

Born 17/1/1877, Died 27/11/1969

Also known as: Cecilia May, Stan Cottman and “Blob” (pseudonyms)

May Gibbs was a leading painter, illustrator, cartoonist and author. She was the author of the classic Australian children's books Gumnut Babies and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. In…
SLEE, Caroline Poolmann

Born 2/06/1861, Died 15/11/1916

Also known as: née Rebbeck, Nurse Slee

Pioneer nurse and midwife at Broken Hill, New South Wales.
BLOOMFIELD, Lillian Myrtle

Born 1916, Died 2005

Also known as: née Kunoth, Lil, Lillian

Daughter of Central Australia pioneers Harry and Caroline Kunoth of Oodnadatta.
Pioneer of Central Australia.
Pastoralist Loves Creek Station. Written on the back of the Chooks…
KUHN, Mary Jane Catherine/kathleen

Born 20 June 1896, Died 23/06/1966

Also known as: née Ross, Cookie, Kitty, Ma, Sandhill Gertie

Affectionately known as “Kitty,” “Ma,” and “Cookie” to the Aborigines.ca 1949-50 - First cook at Alice Springs Hospital and a (first) union representative. Community worker. Mother…
BEALE, Beryl Ivy

Born 1898, Died 18/03/1979

Also known as: née Laidlaw, Cloudy

Beryl Ivy Beale was known as ‘Cloudy’ because she was a heavy smoker. ‘……an artistic, sensitive, music-loving woman with the down-to-earth determination, fortitude and hard…
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…
MOTTRAM, Elina Emily

Born 1903, Died 1996

Queensland's longest practicing female architect was also the first to establish her own business in this State. She opened an office in Brisbane in 1924, and two years later…
MACKENZIE, Myra

Born 1881, Died 1969

Also known as: née Rendle

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

Worked on the land on stations in Central Australia, while raising five children.
ZADOW, Christiane Susanne Augustine

Born 27/8/1846, Died 7/7/1896

Also known as: née Hofmeyer, Augusta

1894 - First appointed female factory inspector in South Australia. 1890 - Working Women's Trades Union formed to reform 'sweated' conditions of female clothing…
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

RAGETT, May

Born 28/12/1955

Wife of a stockman on Mallapunyah Springs Station, bringing up her family, sending them to the station school then to Charters Towers for further education.
SUTHERLAND, Joan

Born 1926, Died 2010

Also known as: Dame Joan Sutherland, La Stupenda

Joan Sutherland was a world famous soprano, one of the greatest voices of the twentieth century. Joan studied at the Royal College of Music in London, making a successful debut 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

PYE, Thelma May

Also known as: née Burrows

1962 - Manager with husband David, of Todd River Station, Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
JARRETT, Patricia Irene

Born 9/3/1911, Died 28/8/1990

Also known as: Pat. Nee Herschell. Her names were registered as Irene Herschell, but she was always known as Patricia.

Grand Old Lady of the Melbourne Herald. Editor of Women's pages in the Daily Sun. Celebrated 25 years of continuous service with the Herald and Weekly Times - the only woman…
MACARTHUR, Elizabeth

Born 14/8/1766, Died 9/2/1850

Also known as: née Veale

Co-Founder of the Australian Wool Industry. With husband John, established “Elizabeth Farm” at Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales.Imported merino sheep from Cape o Good Hope; made…
KENNEDY, Monica Teresa

Born 1892, Died 28/12/1970

Also known as: nee Sheeran

Married Michael Frederick Kennedy (“Fred”) in 1929 and moved to Elkedra Station in the Northern Territory. Mother of five children who she supervised with their schooling through…
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'NEIL, Elizabeth

Also known as: Betty

A handful of European women accompanied their husbands to the mines. Mary Murphy, Betty O'Neil and F Sutherland signed a petition to get a polling booth there. Mrs O'Neil…
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, Kath

1945 - Put her Girl Guide experience to work with British Girl Guides, Government and Red Cross to help European displaced people (mainly children) to a better life. First German Girl…
KELLERMAN, Annette Marie Sarah

Born 6/7/1887, Died 6/11/1975

Also known as: Diving Venus, Australian Mermaid

Annette Kellerman was a swimming champion, a pioneer of physical culture, a vaudeville artiste and a film star. Childhood polio had made her take up swimming to strengthen her legs…
BAIN, Margaret Sterling

Born 1923, Died 14/03/2018

Pioneer Missionary who was insightful and successful in cross cultural communication, and community development in Finke/Aputula. She was greatly respected and trusted by the…
MACPHERSON, Christina Rutherford

Born 19/06/1864, Died 27/03/1936

Also known as: McPherson

Christina McPherson played the zither/autoharp. Banjo Paterson heard her play her recollection of the Craigielee March she had heard at Warnambool. While Christina played, he wrote…
ANDREWS, Joan

Joan handbuilt her house consisting of three cottages using 14,000 bottles and cans in a nine-year period in Lightning Ridge. She built these cottages after being in hospital for two…
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

STUBBS, Sheila

1940s - Pioneer of Hay and western New South Wales.1950s - Sawmiller, hotel worker, station hand, drover, horsewoman, kangaroo shooter/skinner, and shearer's cook.1960s - Charcoal…
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

SPIERS, Beverley

Educator in jails, giving Aboriginal art and culture classes and AIDS education to Aboriginal inmates located in Cessnock, Maitland, Bathurst, and Sydney’s Long Bay
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,…
MURPHY, Anne-Marie

2009 - Appointed Central Australia's top police officer.
ADDISON, Marion Lillian

Born 21/12/1885, Died 27/11/1982

Also known as: Lily

1919 - First Australian woman to play at Wimbledon. At the time, Lily was the singles champion of Australia. As a tennis player she had significant success in Australia and often…
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

CRAVEN, Margaret

Also known as: née Craven

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…
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

SATTLER, Nikki

Alice Spring's first female firefighter, at the airport.
O'CONNOR, Eily Rosaline

Born 19/2/1892, Died 10/1/1921

Also known as: Eileen

1913 - Founded, with Father McGrath, Our Lady's Nurses for the Poor. Opposition from church authorities threatened Father McGrath with expulsion from his order and Eileen 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

SMITH, Christian Brynhild Ochiltree Jollie

Born 15/03/1885, Died 14/01/1963

Also known as: Christian Jollie Smith

1918 - First woman taxi-driver in Melbourne (under trade name “Pamela Brown”). 1912 - Admitted Solicitor by the Supreme Court of Victoria.1914 - Second woman to be admitted as a…
MACKELLAR, Isobel Marion Dorothea

Born 1/7/1885, Died 1968

Also known as: Dorothea

Author the poem “My Country” and others including “The Closed Door,”, “The Witch Maid,” “Dream Harbour,” and “Fancy Dress.” Also wrote novels such as “Outlaws Luck,” “The Little Blue…
LINES, Mary

Mrs Lines, believed to be called Mary, lived with her husband on the Winnecke goldfields. The main entertainment consisted of evening sing-songs accompanied by a small portable organ.
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

POTT, Marjorie

Born 1921, Died 27/01/2007

Also known as: née Thomson, Marj

Pioneer of Darwin.
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

SKOSS, Lucy

Born 1966

Also known as: née Lisle

First Northern Territory woman to win “Best Yarn Spinner” at Adelaide festival organised by Story Telling Guild of South Australia.
Winner of the first-time entrant award at the…
BRADSHAW, Atlanta Hope

Died 1928

Also known as: née Allchurch, Atalanta, Attie

Atlanta Bradshaw’s story is well documented in her eldest daughter Doris Blackwell’s book ‘Alice on the Line’ describing the family’s daily life at the Alice Springs…
MACARTHUR, Emily

Born 26/2/1806, Died 27/11/1880

Also known as: née Stone, E. M. Fecit, Amelia MacArthur, Amelia Stone, Emily Stone

Wife of James MacArthur (son of Elizabeth and John Macarthur). Continued work on “Camden Park” with husband.
Taught farm children (free and convict) at school established by William…
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

REIS, Dorothy Edna

Also known as: née Bishop

1928 - First Queensland woman to obtain a pilot's licence. She learned to
drive a car at the age of 12 years, being
one of the first woman motorists in
Queensland.
When little…
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

PRIOR, Ruby Dawn

Born 1925

Also known as: née Vivian, Dawn

1998 - Had been a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service for 44 years.
1992 - She was awarded the Order of Australia, for services to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Auxilliary…
UNDERDOWN, Daisy Fauthrope

Born 1883, Died 24/6/1963

Also known as: née Maloney

1933 - Pioneer and builder/owner of Hotel Alice Springs. 1902 - Arrived in Alice Springs from Oodnadatta to assist her sons with their general store “Underdown Bros.”
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

SUTHERLAND, F

A handful of European women accompanied their husbands to the mines. Mary Murphy, Betty O'Neil and F Sutherland signed a petition to get a polling booth there.
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 -…