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

BURNS, Helene Katharine Frieda

Also known as: née Albrecht

Daughter of Hermannsburg Mission pioneers Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht and Minna Marie Margaretha née Gevers.
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

MUNRO, Jude

First woman Chief Executive Officer of two cities: Adelaide and Brisbane. Chief Executive of councils: Adelaide, Brisbane, Moreland, and St Kilda.2010 – Ms. Munro received the keys…
WRIGLEY, Joycelyn

Born 8/11/1918

Also known as: née Devoy, Joyce

First woman in New South Wales to apply and be granted a Lady Trainer's Licence (horse racing). Has competed in and won just about every type of horse riding competition.
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

SWANSON, Florence Evelyn

Died 1969

Also known as: née Clarke, Dolly, Camp Oven Doll

Born in Victoria. Had singing lessons and trained with Dame Nellie Melba with whom she became a life long friend.Writer of bush news, letters and recipes to 'The Chronicle',…
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

PARKIN, Rosemary

Australia's foremost Lacemaker. Has correspondence courses in lacemaking and written an instruction book.1981 - Vice Chairman of The Australian Lace Guild.Conducts weekly lace…
LINDSAY, Hilarie

Born 1922

Also known as: née Dyson

1966 & 1967 - Won The Grenfell Prose award.
1975 - Awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to literature.
1977 - Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
1988 -…
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

TONER, Pauline

Born 16/03/1935, Died 03/03/1989

Also known as: Hon. Pauline Therese Toner

1982 - First woman State Cabinet Minister in Victoria
(Hon.) 1969 - Joined the Australian Labor Party
1973-1979 - Councillor for the Shire of Diamond Valley.
1977-1988 - First female…
PINK, Olive

Born 1884, Died 1975

Olive Pink was one of Australia’s pioneering women anthropologists and the founder of what is now the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens on Tuncks Road, Alice Springs.
She was also a fierce…
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

LAMB, Elsie Regina

Born 1/2/1887

District midwife in Wingham, New South Wales.During World War I provided voluntary aid at Bullinmimbah Station.During World War II worked in the Department of 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

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…
BAILEY, Karyn

Born 28/07/1986

2005 - First Northern Territory player in over a decade to be in an Australian 21 and under squad. Also won a scholarship to Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. 2007 - won the…
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…
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

JAMES, Barbara

Born 8/11/1943, Died 2003

Also known as: née Johnson

Historian of the Northern Territory.
1999- Chief Minister's Women's Achievement Award for her contribution to the Northern Territory as a journalist, historian, author,…
JOHANNSEN, Marie Ottilie

Born 15/7/1881 or 1882, Died 26/12/1959

Also known as: née Hoffman, used the name Ottilie, Tillie/Tilly

Pioneer of Central Australia.
1909-11 & 1922-26 - Hermannsburg Mission.
1911 - The Johannsens acquired the rights to draw water from Deep Well, a government water facility.
Planted 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

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,…
MOSTYN, Samantha Joy

Also known as: Sam

2005 - First woman to be appointed as member of Australian Football League Commission. She began her career in law working for former high court judge Michael Kirby. After that she…
, Amboora

Amboora worked for the Bradshaw family at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station as a housemaid.
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

CAREY, Nellie Veir

Born 1890, Died 15/06/1973

Also known as: née Scott, Nellie Veir Scott

Only female in Victoria to become a soldier settler, in Red Cliffs, Victoria and became a successful grape grower. 1911 - Began training as a nursing sister. During the early days of…
BORDONI, Maria

Maria Bordoni was the first woman governor of a maximum security men’s prison in Australia (appointed General Manager of Yatala Labour Prison, South Australia, 1996). Prior to her…
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

NOONUCCAL, Oodgeroo

Born 3/11/1920, Died 16/9/1993

Also known as: Kath Walker, born Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska

Self-educated from the age of 13, through her employers' libraries when a domestic servant, this Noonuccal woman from Queensland's Stradbroke Island wrote the anthology of…
BRUMBY, Beatrice Mary

Born 8/1/1915, Died 31/3/2012

Also known as: née Lennon

Pioneer of Central Australia and north 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

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

O'LOUGHLIN, Fiona

Born 16/07/1963

Also known as: née Taheny

First female stand-up comic to perform in Port Moresby. Won award for Best Newcomer at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2001.Two consecutive nominations for the Barry Award, 2007 &…
WILLOUGHBY, Sarah Friend

Born 3/8/1861, Died 25/7/1923

Also known as: née Skinner

Pioneer of Mallee District, Victoria. The family spent the first year at Tyntynder Homestead. While the government promised “all the water you wanted,” their home was “4 miles from…
BARKER, Joanna

Also known as: Jo

Jo Barker was the first Australian President of World Federation of Occupational Therapists (1986-1990); the first occupational therapist in Australia to be awarded a Ph.D. (1988); 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

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…
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

JONES, Eugenta Mabel Humphris

Also known as: née McPHERSON, Mabel, formerly LAMPE

MRS JONES’ STORYOriginally arriving in Stuart in 1911 as Mrs Jeffrey Lampe, Mabel and her husband took over the license of the Stuart Arms which within a few months she was running…
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-SMITH, Shelley

Born 03/08/1961

1990 - The first West Australian to cross the English Channel solo. 1991 - Won gold medal in open distance 25km event at the FINA World Aquatics Championships, Perth, WA. 1994 - Won…
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…
HENDERSON, Marie

Born 1891, Died 1955

Suffering from an hereditary form of deafness which deteriorated over the years, in 1945 the former Melbourne housewife was the first National Secretary and key figure in the…
GILLARD, Julia Eileen

Born 29/9/1961

Also known as: Dr Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard was Australia’s first female Prime Minister, sworn in as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia on 24 June 2010 and serving in that office until June 2013. Previously,…
LYNCH, Kate

Born 1882

First all girl timber cutting team in Queensland. In 1900 the Lynch family faced ruin when their cattle were wiped out by fever. Cornelius then taught his daughters the art of…
TATE, Pamela

2003 - First woman appointed Solicitor-General, Victoria.
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

JORDAN, Maria Jane

Also known as: Connor

1895-6 - Cook, housekeeper and companion to Mrs Amelia Maude Gillen (nee Besley), wife of Frank Gillen, who was the Alice Springs post and telegraph station master from 1892-1899. Cook…
JACKSON, Marjorie

Born 13/9/1931

Also known as: Lithgow Flash, Marj, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson

1950 - First Australian woman to break a world record for the 100 metres; won four gold medals (100 yards; 220 yards; 440 yards Medley Relay; 660 yards Medley Relay), British Empire…
ALLCHURCH, Elizabeth

Born 1881, Died 10/06/1969

Also known as: Bessie, née Williams

Bessie, sister to Annie MEYERS, was married to Atlanta BRADSHAW's brother Ernest ALLCHURCH.
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

MOFFATT, Tracey

Born 12/11/1960

1990s - First successful Indigenous Australian woman photographer and film maker. Moffatt is a contemporary artist using a variety of techniques, such as collage, set design, and text…
MAC KILLOP, Mary Helen

Born 15/1/1842, Died 8/8/1909

17 Oct 2010 - Australia's first Catholic saint - Saint Mary MacKillop of the Cross - Canonized in Vatican City by Pope Benedict XVI.
2001 Victorian Honour Roll of Women. n 1867…
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

MAY, Sandra
CHIKAROVSKI, Kerry

First woman to lead a major political party in New South Wales when elected Leader of the NSW Parliamentary Liberal Party (1998)
BURROWS, Eva

Born 15/9/1929, Died 21/3/2015

Eva Burrows was the first Australian (and only second) woman world leader of the Salvation Army. Eva was also the youngest person ever elected to the office of General. She served in…
ALLEN-BROWN, Lynne

Also known as: Lynne Spencer

In 1993, Lynne Allen-Brown became the first female Chief Superintendent of St Johns Ambulance. In 1999, she was the first female Chief Commissioner of St Johns Ambulance. Earlier,…
BENNETT, Isobel

Born 1909, Died 2008

Isobel Bennett was a renowned marine biologist, best known for her pioneering work on the Great Barrier Reef. Her earliest work, however, concerned plankton and she was involved in the…
MOORE-BENTLEY, Mary Ann

Born 6/01/1865, Died 1/091953

Also known as: née Bentley, Mary Ling

1903 - First woman — - along with Vida Goldstein, Selina Anderson and Nellie Martel — - in Australia and the British Empire to stand for National Parliament (unsuccessful). Also 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

BANKS, Joan Margaret

Born 02/1926

1987 Honory Member of Region of Victoria 1990 Medal of the Order of Australia for Service to Science, Education and Women's Affairs (OAM) 1998 Honorary Member of Soroptimist…
NICKER, Elizabeth

Born 16/02/1871, Died 1/10/1951

Also known as: née Elliott, Lizzie

In 1904 Elizabeth (Lizzie) Nicker arrived at Arltunga with her second husband Sam, 10 year old daughter Jane Doolan and baby Claude, born en route at Quorn, SA. They had travelled…
BYRNES, Mona Dora

Born 27/10/1923, Died 25/7/2010

Also known as: Mona Johannsen

Won the first bursary which was made available to assist a child from the Territory to undertake secondary schooling in Adelaide. 1963 - Official Photographer of the Queen and Duke of…
WOOD, Fiona Melanie

Born 2/02/1958

Also known as: née Wood

1992 - Established Perth, Western Australia, first human skin tissue culture laboratory.
In 2003, she was awarded The Order of Australia Member of the Order (AM) and the Australian…
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…
MORRIS, Shirley Lorraine

Also known as: née Knowles, Shirley Knowles

First woman Fire Control Officer and Rural Watch Area Co-ordinator, Woodridge area, Gingin Shire, Western Australia. 1986 - First woman in Gingin West, Western Australia, Bush Fire…