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

DEMPSTER, Edith Ellen

Born 31/01/1884, Died 28/05/1967

Also known as: née McLellan, E. E.

Pioneer on cattle stations in South Australia and Northern Territory.Top End pioneers and South Australian pioneers.Pioneer pastoralist on Victoria River Downs.
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

WALLEY, Gwen

First interstate Aboriginal health worker to get Northern Territory registration.
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

RODDA, Ali

2001 - First woman midnight to dawn radio presenter (5AA) in Adelaide. Masters in Business Administration Degree in Public Relations. Nurse.
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

SHADFORTH, Patsy

Northern Territory Pioneer of Seven Emu Station.
SUTHERLAND, Heather Mcdonald

Born 25/05/1903, Died 1953

Also known as: née Moir

1940s - Probably Australian Capital Territory's first female architect. Half-sister of the opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland.
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

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.
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

NITSCHKE, Bev

1975 - First female president of a South Australian Football Club (Waikerie Magpies).
SEAGER, Alexandrina

Born 27/11/1872, Died 12/3/1950

Also known as: née Laidlaw, Alexandra

First woman to hold Vice Presidency of Returned Services Association (later known as the RSL). 1909 - Started her own business, “Scholastic Agency,” to supply labourers, governesses,…
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

SANDERCOCK, Mary

1970s - First female Property Valuer in South Australia.
BEACHLEY, Layne

Born 24/5/1972

Also known as: Tania Maris Gardner

Layne Beachley is regarded as the best female professional surfer in history. She was the first woman to win seven World Surfing Titles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006), six of…
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,…
WHEATON, Amy Grace

Born 10/07/1898, Died 12/02/1988

Also known as: née Priest

First Director of South Australian Board of Social Studies (established in 1935 as the Board of Social Service Study and Training). 1946 - Co-Founder of South Australian Council 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

SAMS, Jess

Born 1897, Died 1989

Also known as: née Millard

27 February 1938 - In a nationwide fishing contest (of over 580 anglers) celebrating Australia's 150th year, she hooked a 330 pounds striped marlin. The record still stands today…
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…
BALUCH, Joy

Born 10/10/1932, Died 14/05/2013

Also known as: Nancy Joy Copley, Nancy Joy Baluch

Joy Baluch was the first woman mayor of Port Augusta, South Australia. She presided as mayor for 29 years over 3 terms; 15 years on the Local Government Association executive and…
PRAED, Rosa Caroline

Born 27/03/1851, Died 10 April 1935

Also known as: née Murray-Prior, Mrs Campbell Praed

First Australian-born novelist to achieve a significant international reputation. Rosa PRAED's stepmother was Nora Murray-Prior (née BARTON), Banjo PATERSON'S aunt…
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

WALSH, Eliza

Died 1855

1824 - First Australian woman to be granted land in her own right.
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

ROSE, Carmel Mary

Born 1923, Died 13/10/1996

Also known as: née Kerrison

Widow of Colonel Lionel Rose, Chief Veterinarian Officer for the Animal Industry Branch. Her contribution to Emergency Home Help Organisation was invaluable.
PAYNE-SCOTT, Ruby Violet

Born 28/05/1912, Died 25/05/1981

First woman radio astronomer. 1930's - One of a handful of women to earn a degree in Physics from University of Sydney.
MONRO, Tanya Mary

Born 1973

Winner of The Weekend Australian Magazine's Next 100 Emerging Leaders in Science.
An award-winning Australian physicist known for her work in photonics. Physicist.1995 -…
ALEXANDER, Stephanie

Born 13/11/1940

Pioneering food writer, first woman to own and manage a world-class restaurant in Australia (Stephanie’s Restaurant: 1976-1997); initiated innovative primary school program, The…
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…
WARREN, Ellen

Ellen was a staunch member of the Tasmanian branch executive of the Australian Women Pilots Association, and celebrated her 70th birthday in 1994 by flying a 172 on Saturday and the…
MCKENZIE, Florence Violet

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

HARRISON, Winsome

One of South Australia's first women “Surfies.” The State's first women surfies surfaced in 1915.
GREGORY, Metha

Born 27/08/1886, Died 11/08/1958

Also known as: née Zimmerman, Meta, Matha

Pioneer of Alice Springs, Northern Territory and Oodnadatta, South Australia.
WEBB, Jane Sophia

Died 1933

Also known as: née White

Newly married Jane Webb travelled by train to Oodnadatta and then by horse and dray with her husband Benjamin and brother-in-law Joe, to a new life at remote Arltunga.
Her wedding ring…
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

GILLEN, Amelia Maud

Born 26/05/1869, Died 16/11/1928

Also known as: née Besley, Minnie, Amelia Maude

Amelia “Minnie” Gillen was an accomplished singer and pianist. As a twenty-two-year-old bride, she travelled from Mount Gambier to her new home at Alice Springs in 1891.The wife 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

STEELE, Joyce Wilfred

Born 29/05/1909, Died 24/05/1991

Also known as: née Wishart

1966 - First South Australian woman to become Opposition Whip in South Australian Parliament.
1968 - First South Australian woman to achieve Cabinet rank in South Australian Parliament…
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…
LAWRENCE, Marjorie Florence

Born 17/2/1907, Died 13/1/1979

1946 - Received the cross of the Légion d'honneur, France.
1976 - Appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Former singer who, after contracting…
GRENVILLE, Kate

Born 14/10/1950

Also known as: Katherine Gee

Kate Grenville is an Australian author. She has published widely , including fiction, non-fiction, biography, and books about the writing process. Her books have been awarded many…
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)…
LONGMORE, Lydia

Born 15/7/1874, Died 30/10/1967

1917 - First female Inspector of Schools (Lower Grades).
1957 - Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil), “Mother's Clubs in South Australia.” 1918 - Founded…
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…
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

WOODBURN, Bettina Mathilde

Born 6/12/1923, Died 1/1/2015

Also known as: née Bromley

Inaugural winner of Seniors Card Get Up and Go award - aged 78 years.
PERIS, Nova Maree

Born 25/02/1971

Also known as: née Peris, Nova Peris-Kneebone

1996 - First Indigenous Australian to win an Olympic Gold Medal.
1997 - Named Young Australian of the Year.
2000 - First carrier of the Olympic flame on Australia Soil at Uluru,…
BURNS, Jean

Born December 1919

Youngest female pilot and first female parachutist in Australia; joined the Royal Victorian Aero Club at 14, was flying at 16 and gained her pilot's licence at 17; completed her…
STONE, Sophie Muir

Born 1934

First woman to purchase a new Steiger tractor on her own behalf. Her photo is on the wall in US office of Steiger. Awarded a Conditional Purchase block of land to clear and develop 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

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.
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

MERRIFIELD, Rosalind

1965 - First Australian woman to fly the Pacific solo.
1966 - Awarded the Jean Lennox Bird trophy and the Nancy-Bird trophy. 1962 - She trained at the Royal Aero Club, New South…
WHYTE, Margaret

1891 - One of the first two women to graduate in Medicine from Melbourne University - the other was Clara STONE.
“When the final results appeared Margaret Whyte had done brilliantly,…
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

BARTLETT, Faye

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

RICHARDSON, Joyce

1961 - First Policewoman (from South Australia) to be seconded to the Northern Territory Police to establish Women Police Section of the Northern Territory Police.
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

WHITEHEAD, Mary

Born 2/11/1917, Died 1/03/2014

First female state president, Commonwealth Professional Officers Association.
MIDDLETON, Doreen

Born 11/03/1912, Died 15/07/1985

Also known as: née Middleton

1931 - First person to ride a bicycle from Melbourne to Adelaide and return (both directions).
Aged 19 years, Doreen rode her bicycle from Melbourne to Adelaide (607 miles) in 4 days,…
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 -…
ARCHER, Robyn

Born 18/6/1948

Also known as: Robyn Smith

In 1998 and 2000, Robyn Archer became the first woman in Australia to direct a major State Festival of the Arts. Robyn is the former Artistic Director of the National Festival of…
LEE, Mary

Born 14/2/1821, Died 18/9/1909

Also known as: née Walsh

1890 - Founder of the Working Women's Trade Union. In 1895 aged 74, she was nominated to stand for parliament for the United Labour Party but declined.
2001 - Inducted onto…