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

LAMONT, Jill

Pioneer road train driver. Only female on construction site at Yulara - delivering freight.
BATTYE, Margaret

Born 9/9/1909, Died 16/11/1949

First female Lawyer to represent a client in a WA Court of Law.
1939 worked for the Council For Civil Liberties. 1934 joined the Western Australian branch of the Australian Federation…
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

PRICE, Bess Nungarrayi

Born 10/1960

Chair of Council, Indigenous Advisory Council to suggest ways to curb Indigenous disadvantage.2012 - Nominated for US International Women of Courage award.
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…
MORRISON, Sibyl Enid Vera Munro

Born 18/08/1895, Died 29 December 1961

Also known as: née Gibbs

New South Wales' first woman barrister qualified in 1924 after graduating LL.B. from the University of Sydney's law school. As the only woman students in their year, both she…
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

LAHY, Mary Patricia

Born 24/5/1928, Died 11/5/2004

1979 - Became Sydney University's first woman Dean of Arts.
1992 - She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, services to higher education. 1963 - Graduated 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

MAXWELL, Jillian Fiona

Also known as: Jill

1997 - First woman to head Pulteney Grammar Schools governing body”, as chair, breaking a 150-year “men only” tradition and first non-clergy appointment in 125 years.
1995 - She was…
ROBEY, Senja Raymond

Born 25/01/1927

Also known as: née Havard

A foundation member of the Australian Women Pilots Association Senja learned to fly in a Tiger Moth in 1949. She has taught hundreds of students to fly and ferried many aircraft to new…
TEMPLETON, Janet

Born 1785, Died 1857

Pioneer in the wool industry. Sister-in-law to Eliza FORLONGE.
After her husband’s death in 1829, “Janet Janet decided to emigrate to Australia. … She chartered the Czar and,…
CRACKNELL, Ruth Winifred

Born 6/7/1925, Died 13/5/2002

Renowned actress of film, stage and television. Author of 'A Biased Memoir' and 'Journey From Venice'. Ruth was the first woman to be inducted into the Australian…
KELLY, Moira Therese

Born 31/1/1964

Awarded 'Sir 'Weary' Dunlop Memorial Award
1988 - Named Australian Bicentennial Young Woman of the Year Aid Worker - dubbed 'Australia's Mother Teresa'…
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

LEHMANN, Caroline Wilhelmina

Born 15/3/1873, Died 8/5/1955

Also known as: Minnie, Caroline Dux

Pioneer of Parnaroo and Clare districts of South Australia.Charity worker.
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

SCHILLING, Joanne

2007 - First female Governor in Northern Territory Rotary Club.
SULLIVAN, Dianne

2003 - First Northern Territory school teacher to represent Australia at N.A.S.A.(USA) at their space camp. Grew up in Alice Springs where she taught at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart…
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

MEYERS, Annie

Also known as: nee Williams

Annie Williams arrived in Alice Springs in the late 1890s. Here she married Charlie Meyers (aka Aaron Schunke), the local saddler. They had four children: Dorothy Annie, Herman John…
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.
WALKER, Robyn Margaret

Born 1/07/1959

2011 - Robyn Walker became the first female in the Royal Australian Navy to attain the rank of Rear Admiral. This made her the first Australian woman to reach “two-star” rank in 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

WALLING, Edna Margaret

Born 4/12/1896, Died 8/08/1973

1918 - First female landscape gardener.
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

TURNER, Audrey

Pioneer of Central Australia on Jinka Station (Plenty River area).
SHARP, Robyn

Also known as: Dr Robyn Sharp

First female Veterinarian in Riverland, South Australia.
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…
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…
WHITE, Salome Jean

Born 1905, Died 15/07/1974

Also known as: Jean

World's first female flying doctor. Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service April 1937 - August 1939 in Far North Queensland. Resident Medical Officer in Melbourne,…
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

KIDMAN, Freda

Also known as: Freddie

One of the original air hostesses with Australian National Airlines. After finishing school, Freda trained to become a nurse before working with Australian National Airlines. She…
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

SERESE, Sophie

“At 24 Sophie Serese, a Banyule local, lives and breathes music. Sophie has completed twelve full scale operas, founded the Australian Youth Opera, and even studied Musical Composition…
SHAW, Barbara Catherine

Born 1952

A town camp activist. Briefed her agenda to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
DWYER, Catherine Winifred

Born 13/6/1861, Died 3/2/1949

Also known as: née Golding, Kate

In 1921, Kate Dwyer became one of the first women Justices of the Peace in New South Wales. 1905 - 1921 she was a member of the State Labor executive, and in 1908 and 1912, a delegate…
MCCARTHY, Wendy Elizabeth

Born 22/7/1941

Also known as: née Ryan

1989 - Awarded Order of Australia for her contribution to community and women's affairs. Teacher.Chancellor of University of Canberra.Former Head of National Trust 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

DAVIS, Jane

Died 1800

Also known as: née Reid

Convict who arrived on “Lady Juliana” on 30 July 1790. Married and went to live on Norfolk Island.
MASON, Andrea

Born 1968

2004 -First ever female Aboriginal Party Leader when she was made National President of Family First. 1988 - Bachelor of Arts degree in Aboriginal Affairs and Public…
KILROY, Debbie

Born 1961

Also known as: née Harding

Debbie is a prison reformer and founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sisters Inside Inc. In 2007, Debbie was the first person in Australian with serious convictions to be admitted by…
SWORD, Kirsty

Born 19/04/1966

Also known as: née Sword, Kirsty Sword-Gusmao, Ruby Blade

2005 - First Australian woman to be First Lady of East Timor (married President Xanana Gusmao). June 2015 - Sword Gusmão was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) “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

HARRIS, Eliza

Also known as: née Deed

Wife of an Alice Springs Telegraph Station telegraph operator.
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…
PICKLES, Carolyn Ann

Born 2/05/1941

1989 - First Australian Labor Party woman to hold office of Government Whip in Legislative Council in South Australia.
SALVAIR, Cathy

Born 17/10/1963

Cathy has flown tour groups around Australia. She has endorsements in aerobatics, formation flying, and float planes.
1987 - Won the Lady Casey Scholarship. 1979 - Her first flight was…
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

BAKER-MCDONALD, Antjie Henrietta

Born 8/5/1869, Died 6/6/1924

Also known as: Ettie, née Lau

Pioneer of Western Queensland. While living at Fullarton, South Australia, for a few years, she had no female company.
MURPHY, Anne-Marie

2009 - Appointed Central Australia's top police officer.
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…
FARRAR, Phoebe Elizabeth

Born 19/12/1862, Died 19/8/1960

Also known as: née Wright, Bush Mother

2003 - Recipient of the 'Tribute to Northern Territory Women' from Northern Territory Office of Women's Policy. Pioneer on cattle stations in Top End Northern…
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…
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…
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

WENDLER, Johanna

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…
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

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.
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, Tryphena Lucelle Willesee

Born 3/08/1860

Also known as: née Rains, Trephina, Triphena, Tryphina, Tryphinia

Tryphena Lucelle Rains married William (Bill) Benstead in 1881. After managing Undoolya Station for five years, Bill became manager of Barrow Creek Pastoral Company, setting up home at…
RODGERS-HEALEY, Diann

2000 - Founded the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women.
IZAN, Izan Aka Haji Izan

Also known as: nee Yaakob

First woman professor in Australia in accounting and finance discipline Bachelor of Economics with first class honours, Monash University
MBA and PhD Graduate School of Business (now…
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

FERNANDEZ, Susana

Also known as: née Fernandez

A pilot in the Australian Defence Force, she was the first female in an Australian Defence Force Reconnaissance Squadron; first female Australian Defence Force Troop Commander in…