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

WEBB, Hilary Joy

Also known as: Joy

Stella was an Allowera (Allyawarr) woman, Jane Webb's trusted Allyawarr Aboriginal friend, who lived at Mount Riddock Station with the Webb family for eighteen years.She helped…
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

ROMARO, Cherie

Born 1950

Cherie was the first female radio music programmer, program director and radio network general manager in Australia. Featured in the book Women of Power (1990).
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…
SWAN, Heather

Also known as: née Wilson, Heather SINGLEMAN

2001 - First woman to climb 'Trango Tower' in the Pakistan Himalayas.
PRICHARD, Katharine Susannah

Born 4/12/1883, Died 02/10/1969

Also known as: née Prichard, Katherine Susannah Throssell

One of Australia's most celebrated writers. She wrote 13 novels and four short stories, among other works. She is attributed as being a founding member of the Communist Party of…
MACLEAN, Joan

Born 23/12/1909, Died 5/2003

Also known as: née Alborough

1939-1940 - Australian Inland Mission (A.I.M.) nurse at Marble Bar Hospital, Western Australia. Joan, with husband Bill and three children moved to Tennant Creek in the late…
ARCHER, Mary Ellinor Lucy

Born 13/11/1893, Died 3/5/1979

Also known as: Ellinor Archer professionally

Mary Archer was CSIRO's first woman scientist, and chief librarian from 1923-1954. She is commemorated by the Library Association of Australia's Ellinor Archer award, first…
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…
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, Jean

When Mrs Ida Standley was employed as schoolmistress to the children of Stuart and matron of The Bungalow, Topsy became her assistant. Two of Topsy's children, Ada and Jean,…
ROBERTSON, Agnes Robertson

Born 31/07/1882, Died 29/01/1968

Also known as: née Keay, Aggie

December 1949 - Elected to the Senate of the Australian Parliament.
1955 - Joined the Country and Democratic League, and became the first Country Party's female senator.
1962 -…
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, Margaret Sarah

Born 23/12/1842, Died 24/12/1929

Also known as: née Cook

1857 - First woman sculptor in Australia. Sculptor. Exhibited a portrait bust at first Victorian Society of Fine Arts.
SPENCER, Mary Stuart

Born 15/05/1871, Died 19/04/1940

Also known as: née Huntly, Eleanor Huntly, Mary Stuart Cosens, Senora Spencer

1906 - First woman projectionist in 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

TAYLOR, Florence Mary

Born 29/12/1879, Died 13/02/1969

Also known as: née Parsons

1909 - First known woman in Australia to pilot a heavier-than-air vehicle (similar to a hang glider). Took off from Narrabeen Beach near Sydney.
1920s - First Female Architect and Town…
LONGMAN, Irene Maud

Born 24/4/1877, Died 29/7/1964

Also known as: née Bayley

1929-1932 - Was the first woman member of the Queensland Assembly, representing Bulimba.
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…
MANFIELD, Alice Maud

Born 9/9/1878, Died 14/7/1960

Also known as: née Manfield

Pioneer of Mt Buffalo district.
“Guide Alice” conducted guided tours in Mt Buffalo National Park.
KETTLE, Ellen Sarah

Born 21/4/1922, Died 2/8/1999

Also known as: Sister Kettle, “hook and eye sister”

Nurse of remote Australia, Papua New Guinea, Queensland and Timor. Foundation member of northern Territory Chapter of the College of Nursing of Australia.1967 - Author of Gone…
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

MAIXNER, Wirginia June

Born 28/6/1963

2007 - Performed the first auditory brainstem implant on a child in Australasia.
2009 - Separation of conjoined twins. 1986 - Graduated University of Sydney's School of Medicine,…
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…
LOCK, Annie

Born 1/8/1876, Died 10/2/1943

Also known as: Ann Lock

Pioneer missionary with United Aboriginal Missions. 1901 - Entered Angas College, Adelaide, a “Missionary Training Home for Ladies.”1903 - Joined the interdenominational Australian…
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

ROEDIGER, Beverley Faye

1970 - First woman to gain her commercial pilot licence in Papua New Guinea.
COLLINGS, Mildred Grace

Born 4/3/1916, Died 9/3/2006

Also known as: Grace Collings

Grace and her husband Murray co-founded Ringwood station, located 80 miles (130 kilometres) east of Alice Springs. They moved to the Northern Territory in 1946 to work on Ti Tree and…
STOTT DESPOJA, Natasha Jessica

Born 9/09/1969

Also known as: née Stott Despoja, Nat

2001 - Senator Australian Democrat Party. Youngest woman parliamentarian and youngest party leader in Australian history.
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

LIDDLE, Lorraine

1986 - The Northern Territory's first Aboriginal legal practitioner.
PALMER, Janet Gertrude

Born 18/08/1885, Died 19/10/1964

Also known as: née Higgins, Nettie

Author (with husband Vance Palmer) of Nurturer and other Australian stories. 2001 - Inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
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

PRESS, Beth

From Yuanduma - Chair of Council Indigenous Advisory Council - to suggest ways to win Indigenous disadvantage.
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

CICCONE, Maria Antonia

Born 1891, Died 1979

Also known as: née Cotela, Antonia

Maria Antonia Ciccone arrived from Serrata, Southern Italy in 1933 and came straight to Alice Springs to join her husband Patsy. He had been here seven years already, trying to get…
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

ANTHONY, Julie Moncrieff

Born 24/08/1949

Also known as: née Lush

1980 – She was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
1983 - First woman patron of a Victorian football league club (Fitzroy VFL Club).
1989 - She was made a member…
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

FILSELL, Myra

Born 1904, Died 2001

Also known as: née Scott

First Australian Inland Mission (A.I.M.) nurse at Oodnadatta, South Australia.
LAWRIE, Alline Dawn

Born 3/11/1938

Also known as: Dawn

Northern Territory Independent for Nightcliff for 12 years focussing on human rights.
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

, Dolly

Minnie GILLEN ran the household with the help of two Arrente Aboriginal women, Dolly (Aritcheuka) …, who also looked after her two boys.
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…
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

PAGE, Kay Leslie

Born 1956

Also known as: Katie, Katie Page-Harvey

In 2005, appointed to the Board of the National Rugby League, becoming the first woman to become a member of a major sporting board in Australia. CEO/MD Harvey Norman. Director of…
MCLOUGHLIN, Patricia Rhoda

Born 26/11/1942

Also known as: née Sanderson; formerly Pat Camilleri

1991-94 - First female chair of the Caboolture Shire Council [The Shire of Caboolture, Queensland].
First female chair of the Caboolture Fire Brigade Board.
First female president 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

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

TAYLOR, Adelheid Elisabeth Johanne

Born 12/08/1922, Died 12/10/2011

Also known as: Heide, Mother Zonta

First migrant in South Australia to be fully recognised and registered as a medical practitioner.
1968 - Was appointed and the first female to hold the position of Director 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

SCHILLING, Joanne

2007 - First female Governor in Northern Territory Rotary Club.
MCKENZIE, Florence Violet Mckenzie

Born 28/9/1890, Died 23/05/1982

Also known as: née Granville, Vi, Violet Wallace, Mrs Mac

Australia's first female electrical engineer, licensed woman amateur radio operator, and first female member of the Wireless Institute of Australia. 1939 - Opened school in Sydney…
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

TAYLOR, Vicki

2009 - Telstra Northern Territory Business Woman of the Year. General Manager - Alice Springs Hospital (2004- ).
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

NYKAMP, Michelle

Australia's first woman to gain a Dangerous Goods Licence. Road Train Driver - Travels 250,000kms a year in a 50m rig.
BOYD, Susan

Born 1946

Sue Boyd was the first woman president of a students association in Australia (Guild of Undergraduates, University of Western Australia 1969). She spent 34 years in the Australian…
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…
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…
RAYBOULD, Ethel Harriet

Born 31/07/1899, Died 17/01/1987

First female Lecturer in Mathematics at University of Queensland. She taught from 1928-1955. 1927 - Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, University of Queensland, with first class honours…
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

ROGERS, Nanette

First female Queen's Counsel (QC) in Alice Springs; despite declining press contact after her initial 2006 interview, became known for her public exposure of family violence 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

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…
PARKER, Evelyn Helena

Born 12/10/1907, Died 28/09/1993

1975 - First woman Mayor in Western Australia (Subiaco Council). In 1976 she was Citizen of the Year. She was a Justice of the Peace. In 1977 she received an Officer of the Order…
BLIGH, Anna Maria

Born 14/7/1960

2007 - 2012: first woman to be appointed Premier of Queensland, the third female Premier of an Australian state, and the sixth female head of government of an Australian state or…
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

LAWLER, Alma Rita

Born 19/9/1900, Died 13/9/1987

Also known as: née Kennedy

Married Herbert Thomas Lawler of 'Hilldyke,' Michelogo. Raised her family and helped on the property when required. Teacher, St Vincents College, Potts Point, New South…