Pioneer Women Hall of Fame

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

D'ARCY, Constance Elizabeth

Born 1879, Died 1950

1914 - Appointed to University of Sydney's Senate Milestones for women in University governance

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

D'ARCY, Lois

1973 - Australia's first Civil Marriage Celebrant

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

D'ROZARIO, June

Northern Territory's Labor Parliamentarian. One of the few women to put up for election to the Northern Territory Parliament

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

DAETZ, Jennifer (Lieut.)

1997 - First female to command a commissioner R.A.N. Vessel 'HMAS Shepperton'

DALMAN, Elizabeth

Born 1934

Elizabeth Cameron Dalman was the pioneer of contemporary dance in Australia. She was the founder of the Australian Dance Theatre, this country’s first professional modern dance…

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

DANE, Mrs

First white woman at Stawell, Victoria. The Dane Memorial Seat, Stawell, Victoria, was erected in memory of her husband.

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

DANGRI, Valda

Hand made a replica of the Eureka Flag that was originally made by her Great Great Grandmother (Anastasia Withers) and destroyed during the uprising. Replica used at 125th Anniversary…

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

DARA, Dur-E

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…

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

DARE, Zara

Born 1806

1931 - First of two women Police Officers in Queensland

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

DARKEN, Vicki

Born 1929, Died 3/05/2014

Also known as: née Ormond

The first Miss Northern Territory (Vicki Ormond); married (1942) to Constable Bob Darken, their tent honeymoon gave Honeymoon Gap its name; a “pioneer” who lived in rough conditions 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

DARLING, Barbara Brinsley (Rev Canon)

First woman asked to be their Vicar by an Anglican Parish (Melbourne)
One of first Women Deacons elected to House of Clergy and General Synod.
1986 - First Ordained woman on Diocesan…

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

DARVALL, Emily Mary

Born 1817, Died 1909

Pioneer, Poet, Woman of the Bush and the Grandmother of AB (Banjo) Paterson

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

DAVID, Caroline Martha

Born 26/4/1856, Died 25/12/1951

Also known as: née Mallett, Cara, Lady, Caroline Edgeworth David, Caroline Mallett

Wife of Sir Edgeworth David, Professor of Geology.President of Women's National Movement for Social Reform.Spearheaded campaign for Hotels 6 o'clock closing in New South…

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

DAVIDSON, Agnes

Born 1821, Died 1896

Pioneer, possibly first and only woman 'Bullocky'.
Engaged in transporting supplies to Victorian goldfields.
Known as 'The Mother of Gippsland'

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

DAVIDSON, Janet Cameron

Also known as: Dr Janet Davidson

Pioneer of Cowra NSW

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

DAVIDSON, Robyn

A woman pioneer in travelling alone with camels from Alice Springs across the deserts to the Indian Ocean. She wrote a book on her experiences

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, Beatrice

Australia's first full time prof book editor, Angus & Robertson 1937

DAVIS, Emilie

Also known as: Babs

Written on the back of the drawing: Short-term 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

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.

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

DAVSON, Sharon

Also known as: Sharon Davson Barker

2000 - Founder and chair of the international initiative 48 Hours to World Peace Inspirational artist, writer and consultant, actor, fashion designer, speaker and activist.

DAVY, Christine

First woman pilot of a passenger airline in Australia Won A.W.P.A. Annual Reliability Trial in 1963
MBE Learnt to fly in 1958. Worked for Connair for six months in 1963. 1963 -…

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

DAVY, Ruby Claudia Emily

Born 1883, Died 1949

Also known as: Dr Ruby Davy

1918 - Australia's first woman Doctor of Music

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

DAWS, Joyce

Born 1925, Died 2007

Also known as: Dame Joyce Dawes

First woman President of Victorian branch of Australian Medical Assoc Thoracic Surgeon

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

DAY, Amy Constance (‘connie’)

Social worker in Western Australia till 1974 then moved to Darwin where she continued her social work with the elderly. Became member of Council for the Aging (NT). Established (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

DE BRENNI, Nellie

Pioneer of Central Australia Stations and nursing.
1955 - Joined Alice Springs Hospital as an Enrolled Nurse. Worked mainly in Child Health Unit until her retirement in 1985

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

DE LISSA, Lillian

Founder of South Australia's first Kindergarten in Franklin Street in1906

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

DE MESTRE, Margaret

Born 1916, Died 1942

Also known as: Sister Margaret DeMestre

First Australian woman to lose her life in Australia while on active service. She was 26 years of age 1942 - Nursing sister from Bellingen in NSW on hospital ship 'Manunda'…

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

DE MOLE, Fanny Cochrane

1881 - First woman in South Australia to write and illustrate a book on the flora of South Australia

DE PIERRES, Rosemary Mina

Born 28/05/1926

Also known as: née Vincent

Rosemary was a good friend of Robin Miller and often helped her with her vaccine flights. She was the state president of the Australian Women Pilots Association and then went on to be…

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

DE SALIS, Anne

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…

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, Amanda

First female Plumber's Apprentice. Graduated at Frankston Vic, TAFE
First female Plumber in Alice Springs

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

DEANE, Rosalie

First Australian woman to be recorded in Wisden's Cricketing annual

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

DEANS, Di

Founder, Drovers

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

DEANS, Joan

English Nurse
1948 - Policeman's wife at Hatches Creek.

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

DECKERT, Emma Emilie

… women who make up the complete European female population of the town of Stuart and the Alice Springs Telegraph Station in June 1901. Stuart then consisted of one hotel, two…

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

DEMPSEY, Jessica

2000 - One of two first female research scientists to work at the South Pole in a University of New South Wales led expedition.

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

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

DEMPSTER, Marjory Florence

Born 1915, Died 09/11/1985

Also known as: née Walker, Marj, Marjorie

Wife of a Kidman stockman, Mick Dempster. Victoria River Downs. They were Top End pioneers.

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

DENNIS, Clara

Born 1916, Died 1971

Also known as: Clare

Gold medal 1932 Olympics - breaststroke

DENNIS, Sarah

Born 24/12/1841, Died 9/8/1910

Also known as: née Marks

Pioneer of Bendigo area of Victoria.

DEVESON, Anne Barbara

Born 19/6/1930, Died 12/2016

Writer, broadcaster, documentary maker, film maker and advocate of social justice. Wrote the story of her son's life and death with schizophrenia, Tell Me I'm Here, which won…

DEXTER, Caroline

Born 6/1/1819, Died 19/8/1884

Also known as: née Harper, Caroline Lynch

First woman to publish a magazine in Australia. 1858 - Wrote and published “Ladies Almanack: The Southern Cross or Australian Album and New Years Gift.” It was “The First…

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

DOBSON, Ruth

Born 1918, Died 1989

1974. First female career diplomat appointed to an ambassadorial position - Ambassador to Denmark
1982 awarded OBE