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

DEHN, Carol

Carol is a captain for Qantas Link based in Melbourne. She has won many Australian Women Pilots Association trophies. One of her most satisfying jobs has been flying for the Air…
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.
CALDICOTT, Helen

Born 7/8/1938

Also known as: Dr Helen Caldicott

Helen Caldicott is the founder of the Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament (1982). In 1985, Helen was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, which was won by the organisation 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

BEGG, Sonya Jean

Born 7/9/1946, Died 31/5/2012

Also known as: née Mackinnon

1987 - Started Australia's first commercial snail farm in Orange, New South Wales. It became famous when it sold snails to New Parliament House for its cocktail party that Queen…
JENKINS, Elsie May

Born 1889, Died 9/9/1974

Also known as: née Goodrich, Ma

Pioneer opal miner (with husband) at Lightning Ridge (NSW) and Coober Pedy (SA). Known as the “Opal Queen.”
1915 - “A wonderful horsewoman and the Best Hack and Hunter [equestrian show…
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

ROSS, Fanny

Also known as: née Wallis

Fanny Ross was one of the first English speaking white women at the heart of Australia. In 1885 she joined her husband Alexander, manager of Undoolya Station. She had her piano…
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'KANE, Mary Josephine

Born 1954

1989-1993 - First Dean of Engineering, University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
In October 1996 she was the first woman, and possibly the youngest, appointed…
BRAHAM, Loraine Margaret

Born 21/8/1938

Lorrain Braham was the first woman elected from Central Australia to the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory (1994) and the first woman Speaker in the Northern Territory. 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

THORNTON, Merle

Born 2/10/1930

Also known as: née Wilson

Known for, with Rosalie BOGNER, chaining themselves to a bar rail in protest of the exclusion of women in bars in Queensland. Women's Rights Activist. Author. Mother of…
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…
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

SOMERVILLE, Dorothy Christine

Born 12/5/1897, Died 24/9/1992

Also known as: Dumps

1922 - She was the third South Australian woman admitted to the Bar.
1925 - Part of first female law practice with Mary Tenison Woods.
1928-1991 - Practiced as a sole law practitioner…
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

MURRAY-PRIOR, Nora Clarina

Born 3/12/1846, Died 1935

Also known as: née Barton

One of the 'hidden' pioneer women of the colonial era, who nurtured her network of relatives through letters. In strikingly direct and fluent prose, interspersed with acerbic…
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

KIRK, Maureen Patricia

Born 13/9/1955, Died 23/4/2001

Also known as: née Brown

In 1987, Maureen became the first Indigenous volunteer cancer support worker in Australia. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and, at the time, there were no cancer…
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

LEWIS, Ann

Born 1926

1948 - First woman commercial pilot in Western Australia. Awarded the Coronation Medal for representing the women's flying branch of the R.A.F.
First female pilot to fly for the…
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

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

WEISBERG, Edith

Also known as: Dr Edith Weisberg

Developed Family Planning Associations first Sex and Relationships Counselling Program in Sydney Centre for Reproductive Health.
STEWART, Eleanor Towzey

Born 20 /11/1858, Died 21/06/1931

Also known as: née Stewart, née Towzey, Nellie, Eleanor Row

1877 - Australia's first female comic opera star.
SHARP, Robyn

Also known as: Dr Robyn Sharp

First female Veterinarian in Riverland, 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

STEGGALL, Zali

Born 1974

1997 - First Australian to win a World Cup Slalom Alpine event
1999 - First Alpine World Champion in the Southern Hemisphere to win Gold in Women's Slalom event at World Skiing…
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

ROTHWELL, Vivienne

Well known experienced Ornithologist from Alice Springs, Northern Territory.1962 - Appointed Honorary Ornithologist for Northern Territory Museums.
MAHOOD, Marie

Died 03/2009

Co-founder, with husband, of property “Mongrel Downs” Northern Territory near Western Australian border in Tanami Desert.
Journalist.
Author of “Bleating Around The Bush,” “Still…
LYELL, Lottie Edith

Born 23/2/1890, Died 21/12/1925

Also known as: née Cox

First female star, scriptwriter, and producer of silent films.
1907 - First female lead in the Edwin Geach Company’s “An Englishman’s Home.” Worked on at least 28 silent movies…
ROFFEY, Chelsea

Born 1/08/1981

First woman to officiate (goal umpire) at an AFL Grand Final (2012). Practicing journalist and trained musician; recipient of a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2014.
BEH, Helen Charmaine

Born 31/7/1941, Died 7/2/2012

Helen Beh was the first woman to achieve following positions in the Science Faculty at the University of Sydney: Senior Lecturer in Psychology (1972-1988; ); Associate Professor; Head…
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

WADE, Ada Mary

Born 1909

Also known as: née Smith (formerly Pick)

One of first babies baptised at Alice Springs Catholic Church Pioneer of Arltunga, Tennant creek, Hatches Creek and Alice Springs. Attended school behind old Courthouse.When Mrs Ida…
STREHLOW, Freidericke Johanna Henriette

Born 31/08/1875, Died 30/04/1957

Also known as: née Keysser, Frieda

Pioneer wife of Missionary Carl STREHLOW and mother of Prof. T.G.H.(Ted) STREHLOW.
MEIN, Joanne

Born 1971

Also known as: Jo

First lieutenant Joanne Mein is the first woman member of the Roulettes in the 30-year history of the Royal Australian Air Force's formation aerobatics team. R.A.A.F Flight…
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

MACFARRELL, Elizabeth

1846 - First woman newspaper editor in Australia, Perth Gazette.
LANGTON, Marcia Lynne

Born 31/10/1951

1993 - Awarded Member of the Order of Australia, for service as an anthropologist and advocate of Aboriginal issues. 2000 - Inaugural Professor of Australian Indigenous Studies,…
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…
MCNAMEE, Lorna Jennie

First female “to qualify under the British Institute of Embalmers in Australia”. Prior to the funeral business, she had been a nurse in Adelaide and Darwin.”Her sister is the only lady…
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, Maryanne

2003 - First Aboriginal woman to head up an Australian company earning more than $50m a year. Awarded Northern Territory Star of Achievement from Chief Minister Clare Martin. 1990 -…
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

BARTON, Emily Mary

Born 3/12/1817, Died 24/08/1909

Also known as: Emily Mary Darvall

Emily wrote poems for most of her life and was still being published at the age of 90. She was the grandmother to A.B (Banjo) Paterson who she was a great inspiration to.
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

HEASLIP, Janice Eileen

Born 03/04/1939

Also known as: née Parnell

Founding Member Alice Springs Branch and Inaugural State President of Isolated Children's Parents Association.
TENNANT, Kylie

Born 12/03/1912, Died 28/02/1988

1935 - Winner of the S. H. Prior Memorial Prize for her first published novel Tiburon. 1942 - Australian Literary Society gold medal for The Battlers. 1960 - Won Children's Book…
LEWORTHY, Jean Margaret

Born 22/7/1921, Died 15/4/2008

Also known as: née Fairbairn, Jean Piaggio

First civilian doctor to use Penicillin in Australia.
1954 - She was the first woman in full-time practice; Bundaberg, Queensland.
1995 - Order of Australia, services to medicine 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

WOODRUFFE, Valerie

Also known as: née Whitehall

About 1978 she trained and completed as a dogman [An assistant to a crane operator, responsible for securing the crane's load and directing the operator.] working at Goldsworthy…
DARCY FOWLER, Anne Isabella

Born 24/07/1911, Died 13/06/2003

Also known as: née Darcy, Ann, Annie

Annie was one of the first female drovers, and it is believed that she and her brothers photos adorn the walls at Daly Waters Pub as chararcters of the Territory. Annie was part of a…
LACEY, Annie Florence

Born 28/10/1893, Died 1960

Also known as: née Rampton, Nance

Opened first hospital for people with Leprosy in Melbourne in early 1950s. Pioneering Bush Nurse in Northern Territory and Far North Queensland.1919 - Trained as nurse, Hobart General…
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

WALL, Gwen
MELBA, Nellie

Born 19/05/1861, Died 23/02/1931

Also known as: née Helen Porter Mitchell, Nellie, Dame Nellie Melba

Australia's greatest opera singer.
1911 - First Australian opera super star.
First Australian singer to be recorded on cylinder.
First performer in the world to have an opera…
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

MIATKE, Danni Patricia

Born 29/11/1987

First Northern Territorian swimmer to win at world swim championships (50 meter butterfly).
2006 - Gold Medalist at Manchester Commonwealth Games - swimming - 50m butterfly. 1999 - Won…
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…
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

MACNAMARA, Annie Jean

Born 1/4/1899, Died 13/10/1968

Also known as: Jean, Jean Connor

First woman Resident Medical Officer at Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. In May 1923 Jean, with high recommendations, was appointed resident at the (Royal) Children's…
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

TREFRY, Christine

Born 10/05/1955

First Northern Territory woman Gold Medal Pistol Shooter. 1994 - Gold Medalist, Victoria Commonwealth Games.
1998 - Gold Medalist, Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
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

MCPHERSON, Ola Mary

1940 - First woman graduate from Queensland University Veterinary School. The University of Queensland has a prize named after her, Ola Mary MacPherson Prize.
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

JOSHUA, Eadith Walker

Born 1897

Pioneer of Cobar and Wilcannia district, New South Wales. Wrote her life story, The Daisies at my Feet.