Academia
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Joyce Irene ACKROYD
Born 23 November 1918, Died 30 August 1991
Joyce Ackroyd was a professor of Japanese language and literature, and one of the pioneers who changed the pattern of Japanese studies in Australia. In 1965 she founded the Department…
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Joanna BARKER
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…
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Larissa BEHRENDT
Born 1 April 1969
First Aborigine to earn a doctorate from Harvard Law School in USA.
Professor of Law at Sydney University of Technology.
1993 — Won the Lionel Murphy Foundation… -
Mary Ann BIN-SALLIK
Born 2 November 1940
Holding both a Masters (1986) degree in Educational Administration and a Doctorate (1989) in Education from Harvard University, USA, she was also the first Indigenous graduate in…
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Adventure
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Denise ALLEN
1983 — First observer woman posted to Queensland 1984 — First woman posted to Willis Island 1986 — First woman to winter on the Antarctic Continent for the Bureau of Meteorology 1988 -…
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Linda Karen BEILHARZ
Born 1960
2004 — First Australian woman to trek to the South Pole, skiing from the Antarctic edge.
2010 — First Australian woman to trek the North and South Poles.
2006 — Inducted into… -
Marion BELL
October 1925 — April 1926 — First woman and third person to drive around Australia.
She was the first woman to obtain a taxi license in Perth. - View More
Architecture
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Lily Isabel Maude ADDISON
Born 1887, Died 1968
1906 — First woman to do technical work in architectural office in Queensland. Lily assisted in her father’s office from about 1906. In 1914 she passed Building Construction and…
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Ruth ALSOP
Born 1879, Died 1976
First woman to qualify as an architect in Victoria. She began work at her younger brother Rodney’s firm Klingender & Alsop sometime after 1907. She worked for the firm for…
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Brit ANDRESEN
In 2002, Brit was the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Gold Medal, honouring her contribution to the architecture field and…
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Beverley Louise BOLIN
Born 23 January 1923
Also known as: Beverley Carter
The first known woman architect to qualify in South Australia was Beverley Bolin, who graduated in 1948. She registered in 1950 in South Australia but moved permanently to the United…
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Arts (music, literature, visual arts)
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Emma A BECKETT
Born 1838, Died 1906
Emma A Beckett was the Boyd family’s first and most important patron, buying and promoting their work, and providing their main source of income. The Boyds are revered by many as…
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Mary Morton ALLPORT
Born 17/5/1806, Died 10/6/1895
Also known as: Mary Morton Chapman (maiden name)
Mary Allport was Tasmania’s first professional woman artist. She exhibited in local exhibitions and published lithographs. She advertised her professional services as a portrait…
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Alison ANDERSON
Born 1958
Also known as: Alison Nampitjimpa Anderson
Activist and politician for Indigenous people within the Northern Territory, especially Central Australia. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly between 2005…
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Julie Moncrieff ANTHONY
Born 24 August 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… - View More
Aviation
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Margaret ADAMS
Died 1988
Also known as: Margaret Kentley
First President of the newly formed Australian Women’s Flying Club (AWFC). Prior to the outbreak of the war, the Australian women’s piot scene was beginning to develop and…
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Shirley Elaine ADKINS
Born 18 March 1930
Also known as: née Lee
First woman President of the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia (1979−1984).
First woman elected president of the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia (1990−1997).
First… -
Rosemary ARNOLD
Born 18/4/1934
In 1967, Rosemary became Australia’s first female commercial helicopter pilot. She achieved commercial ratings in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Rosemary was the first and…
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Allana ARNOT
Born 1967
Also known as: Allana Corbin
In 1997 Allana Arnot became the first woman to circumnavigate Australia solo in a helicopter. She accomplished this after teaching herself how to walk and fly again following a plane…
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Business
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Woo Len AH TOY
Born 24 October 1917, Died 15 November 2001
Also known as: nee Wong, Lily
Lily was born and grew up in Darwin and was known to many in the Top End for her stoicism, generosity and warm good humour. From 1936 to 1942 and continuining after the war, Lily and…
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Kim ANSON
Born 1955
Kim Anson was the first woman General Manager appointed at Waverley Council, New South Wales in its then 141 year-old history (2001). She has subsequently held senior management roles…
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Maisie AUSTIN
Born 22 May 1949
Also known as: Maisie Adams
Maisie Austin was the first woman in the Northern Territory to become an Associate of the Australian Insurance Institute (1977). During the 1970s, Maisie started work for an insurance…
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Community Service
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Virginia ADLIDE OAM
In 1983, Virginia developed the first Ronald McDonald House in Australia.
Virginia was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993 for this work in recognition of service… -
Woo Len AH TOY
Born 24 October 1917, Died 15 November 2001
Also known as: nee Wong, Lily
Lily was born and grew up in Darwin and was known to many in the Top End for her stoicism, generosity and warm good humour. From 1936 to 1942 and continuining after the war, Lily and…
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Lynne ALLEN-BROWN
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,…
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Margaret Sterling BAIN
Born 1923, Died 14/03/2018
Pioneer Missionary who was insightful and successful in cross cultural communication, and community development in Finke/Aputula. She was greatly respected and trusted by the…
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Education
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Reverend Hilda May ABBA
Born 30 May 1918
Also known as: Reverend Hilda May Abba, Hilda May Blackham
First woman in Australia ordained as Theological Lecturer (Pitt Street Congregational Church, Sydney: 1951)
1936: Hilda May entered Homerton College, Cambridge, where she… -
Joyce Irene ACKROYD
Born 23 November 1918, Died 30 August 1991
Joyce Ackroyd was a professor of Japanese language and literature, and one of the pioneers who changed the pattern of Japanese studies in Australia. In 1965 she founded the Department…
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Joan Winifred ALLSOP
Born 10 November 1912, Died 12 October 2000
Australian adult educator. With the assistance of a grant, Allsop was able to attend Columbia University in New York, where she became the first Australian to obtain a doctor of…
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Maybanke ANDERSON
Born 1845, Died 15/4/1927
Also known as: Maybanke Wolstoneholme (the name from her first marriage). Maybanke wrote regularly as 'Lois' in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Worked with Rose Scott, Louisa Lawson, the Windeyer family and others on the struggle for women’s suffrage and other legal, political and educational reforms. Helped found the…
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Defense
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Marjorie ANDREW
Marjorie Andrew worked for the Allied Works Council in Alice Springs and Darwin during World War Two (Alice Springs 1944 – 1945). One of the most pressing demands on Australia during…
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Beryl Edith BEAUREPAIRE
Born 24/9/1923
Also known as: Dame Beryl Beaurepaire née Bedggood
A pioneering Australian feminist, Beryl knew how to push boundaries.
Beryl’s first attempts to force acceptance of equality was during World War Two when she joined the Women’s… -
Vivian BULLWINKEL
Born 18 December 1915, Died 3 July 2000
First female Trustee of Australian War Memorial.
1947 — She received the Florence Nightingale Medal.
1973 — Ms Bullwinkel received the Member of the Order of the British Empire… -
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Film and Television
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Frances Margaret ANDERSON
Born 10 February 1897, Died 3 January 1992
Also known as: Judith
“Judith Anderson was the first Australian-born actress to be conferred with the title of Dame. On 1 January 1960 she was awarded the Order of the British Empire — Dames Commander,…
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Gillian May ARMSTRONG
Born 18/12/1950
Gillian Armstrong is an award-winning Australian feature film and documentary director, whose films often feature female perspectives and protagonists. Gillian became the first woman…
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Suzanne Dale BAKER
Born 1 January 1939
1977 — First Australian woman to win an Academy Award (Producer) for Best Animated Short Film, Leisure.
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Finance
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Elizabeth ALEXANDER
Born 16/4/1943
First woman to be a partner at a big eight accounting firm (Price Waterhouse) in 1977. First woman to be State and National president of CPA (Certified Practicing Accountants)…
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Sheryle Anne BAGWELL
Born 17/02/1958
Only female columnist in Australia devoted to women in business issues.
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Karen BROWN
2001 — Became first female to head the Finance Sector Union, and the youngest state secretary.
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Patricia Julianne EVANS
Also known as: née Morris
Qualified as an accountant in 1948, and in 1949, at 21, became the first female accountant to be employed by Bitumen and Oil Refineries (Australia) Limited (Boral). One of the…
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Human Rights
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Shirley Aldythea ANDREWS
Born 6/11/1915, Died 15/9/2001
Shirley graduated in Science when women were barely tolerated as students. She went on to work for six years at the Veterinary School of the University of Melbourne. In 1947, she…
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Matilda Ann ASTON
Born 11 December 1873, Died 1 November 1947
Also known as: Tilly
The first blind Australian to go to University, she eventually had to drop out because of lack of Braille textbooks. She went on to establish Australia’s first Braille library when…
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Margaret Sterling BAIN
Born 1923, Died 14/03/2018
Pioneer Missionary who was insightful and successful in cross cultural communication, and community development in Finke/Aputula. She was greatly respected and trusted by the…
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Faith BANDLER
Born 27 September 1920, Died 13 February 2015
Also known as: Ida Lessing Faith Mussing
1976 appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire but declined1984 appointed Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to Aboriginal welfare1994 awarded an…
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Journalism
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Stella ALLAN
Born 25/10/1871, Died 1/3/1962
Also known as: Stella Henderson, 'Vesta' (pen name)
Introduced the first woman’s page in Australian daily paper. In 1907, the Argus commissioned Stella to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women’s Work…
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Maybanke ANDERSON
Born 1845, Died 15/4/1927
Also known as: Maybanke Wolstoneholme (the name from her first marriage). Maybanke wrote regularly as 'Lois' in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Worked with Rose Scott, Louisa Lawson, the Windeyer family and others on the struggle for women’s suffrage and other legal, political and educational reforms. Helped found the…
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Sheryle Anne BAGWELL
Born 17/02/1958
Only female columnist in Australia devoted to women in business issues.
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Daisy May BATES
Born 16/10/1863, Died 18/4/1951
Also known as: Daisy May O'Dwyer
Daisy May Bates led a colourful life which included three marriages two of which are presumably bigamous and possible change/changes of name for whatever reason. Her first marrage was…
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Industry
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Molly CLARK
Born 28 December 1922, Died 22 September 2012
Pioneer pastoralist of Northern Territory, at Andado Station and then Old Andado Station.
Pioneer of the Central Australian tourism industry
Founder of National Pioneer… -
Margaret Gardiner CUTHBERTSON
Born 6 September 1864, Died 17 November 1944
March 1894 – 1920 — First female inspector of factories in Australia.
1901-02
— First president of the Victorian Women’s Public Service Association.
1913
– “With Henrietta… -
Helen DANN
At 17, first woman in Victoria to get semi-trailer licence.
2015 — Inducted into Shell Rimula Hall of Fame at National Road Transport Hall of Fame.
Bought her own TK Bedford… - View More
Law
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Stella ALLAN
Born 25/10/1871, Died 1/3/1962
Also known as: Stella Henderson, 'Vesta' (pen name)
Introduced the first woman’s page in Australian daily paper. In 1907, the Argus commissioned Stella to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women’s Work…
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Helen Elizabeth ARCHDALE
Born 21 August 1907, Died 11 January 2000
Also known as: Betty Archdale
Headmistress of Abbotsleigh Girls School, Sydney. Officer in W.R.E.N.s during World War II. Became Principal of Women’s College at Sydney University. After her tenure at the…
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Margaret BATTYE
Born 9 September 1909, Died 16 November 1949
First female lawyer to represent a client in a Western Australia Court of Law.
1939 worked for the Council For Civil Liberties.
1934 joined the Western Australian branch of the… -
Cheryl BELL
Also known as: Commander
1992 — First woman to be permanently appointed to a ‘Bush Station’ (at Yuendumu) by Northern Territory Police.
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Medicine
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Virginia ADLIDE OAM
In 1983, Virginia developed the first Ronald McDonald House in Australia.
Virginia was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993 for this work in recognition of service… -
Katie Louisa ARDILL
Born 3 August 1886, Died 3 January 1955
Katie Ardill Brice was an Australian doctor. She was the first woman to be appointed as a divisional surgeon in New South Wales, and a year later was among the first female doctors…
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Joanna BARKER
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…
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Margaret BARNES
Also known as: Madge
1906 — One of first women to graduate in dentistry from University of Sydney.
1910 – 1913 — Perhaps ran Australia’s first joint female dental practice (with Annie Praed) in… - View More
Politics
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Barbara ABLEY AM
Barbara Abley was elected in March 2001 to the Council of the City of Greater Geelong (Victoria) before becoming elected as Deputy Mayor later that year.
In 2002 she became the first… -
Elizabeth ALLSOP
First woman to be elected to, and later President of, the Kaniva Shire Council, Victoria
Pioneered the mechanical and driving of both 2 and 4 wheeled vehicles for women of the… -
Alison ANDERSON
Born 1958
Also known as: Alison Nampitjimpa Anderson
Activist and politician for Indigenous people within the Northern Territory, especially Central Australia. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly between 2005…
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Selina Sarah Elizabeth ANDERSON
Born 12 May 1878, Died 30 November 1964
Also known as: Senie, Selina Siggins
1903 ‑First woman along with Vida Goldstein, Mary Ann Moore-Bentley and Nellie Martel, in Australia and British Empire to stand for National Parliament (unsuccessful). Selina Anderson…
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Public Service
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Lynn ALLEN
Lynn worked for twelve years as the State Librarian and CEO of the Western Australian state library (from 1989 – 2001). Over a period of 107 years, Professor Allen was only the fourth…
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Kim ANSON
Born 1955
Kim Anson was the first woman General Manager appointed at Waverley Council, New South Wales in its then 141 year-old history (2001). She has subsequently held senior management roles…
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Kristen Alanna APPEL
Born 23/7/1964
First female national park ranger to be in charge of a national park/reserve in Australia (Arltunga) — August 1992.
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Lillian ARMFIELD
Born 3/12/1884
Lillian Armfield was Australia’s first policewoman. She was recruited as probationary special constable on 1 July, 1915, earned less than her male counterparts and was ot…
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Religion
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Reverend Hilda May ABBA
Born 30 May 1918
Also known as: Reverend Hilda May Abba, Hilda May Blackham
First woman in Australia ordained as Theological Lecturer (Pitt Street Congregational Church, Sydney: 1951)
1936: Hilda May entered Homerton College, Cambridge, where she… -
Mary David ALLCHIN
Born 17/5/1913
Pioneer of Central Australia. Arrived in Alice Springs in 1941, took her final vows with the Catholic Church in 1942 and helped establish Arltunga mission in 1942. Also worked on…
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Elizabethy E. ARNEY
Born 1932
Also known as: Betty
Betty Arney was the first woman to become a priest in the Anglican Church of Australia, ordained with nine other women at St George’s Cathedral, Perth 7 March 1992.
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Science
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Denise ALLEN
1983 — First observer woman posted to Queensland 1984 — First woman posted to Willis Island 1986 — First woman to winter on the Antarctic Continent for the Bureau of Meteorology 1988 -…
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Charlotte Morrison ANDERSON
Born 12/3/1915, Died 15/4/2002
Charlotte Anderson was an Australian pioneer of paediatric gastroenterology. She developed a clinical research program at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where she…
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Shirley Aldythea ANDREWS
Born 6/11/1915, Died 15/9/2001
Shirley graduated in Science when women were barely tolerated as students. She went on to work for six years at the Veterinary School of the University of Melbourne. In 1947, she…
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Mary Ellinor Lucy ARCHER
Born 13 November 1893, Died 3 May 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…
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Sport
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Marion Lillian ADDISON
Born 21 December 1885, Died 27 November 1982
Also known as: Lily
1919 — First Australian woman to play at Wimbledon.
At the time, Lily was the women’s singles champion of Australia.
She was the South Australian Ladies Tennis Champion in… -
Daphne Jessie AKHURST
Born 22/4/1903, Died 9/1/1933
Also known as: Daphne Cozens
Daphne Akhurst was the first Australian woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals (1928), and the first Australian woman to figure prominently in tennis in overseas tours. She reached…
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Sharon Lea Anne ANYOS
Born 13/10/1970
Also known as: Wildthing
Australia’s first female World Boxing Champion. First Australian woman to take out the inaugural Women’s Boxing Title in first ever ANBF & OBA sanctioned women’s…
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Helen Elizabeth ARCHDALE
Born 21 August 1907, Died 11 January 2000
Also known as: Betty Archdale
Headmistress of Abbotsleigh Girls School, Sydney. Officer in W.R.E.N.s during World War II. Became Principal of Women’s College at Sydney University. After her tenure at the…
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Telecommunications
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Gillian Clare CAMPBELL
Born 1967
First woman Telecom Technician in South Australia and Northern Territory. Qualified in 1988, aged 21.
Daughter of Alice Springs artist and teacher Iain CAMPBELL. -
Isabella CLIFF
Australia’s first telephonist was among nine girls employed at the country’s first commercial telephone exchange in Collins Street, Melbourne in 1880.
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Margaret DOYLE
Born 1920, Died 25 February 2002
Also known as: Margaret Henderson
Australia’s first female radio announcer was appointed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and seen here at their Sydney studios in November 1940. The majority of…
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Alfreda GLYNN
Also known as: Freda
Awarded the Australia Medal.
1980 — Founded first Aboriginal Radio Station — Radio 8KIN-FM19898 — Founded Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association in Northern Territory… - View More
Veterinary Science
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Miriam Edith CANNING
First Aboriginal (and first woman) veterinary surgeon in Australia.
Born and raised at Leonora near Kalgoorlie, West Australia. Qualified for her private pilot’s licence… -
Margaret Enid CHRISTIAN
Born 1920
Also known as: Peg
1948 — First Veterinarian to establish private practice in the Northern Territory and to develop veterinary care for Australian Fauna
Dr) OAM, BVSc -
Sally HENDERSON
She is an anthropologist from Queensland.Sally and her husband, Jeremy, established a privately funded elephant and endangered animal research program, Elefriends, and has devoted her…
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Janice Leona HILLS
Also known as: Jan, Dr Janice Hills
1964 — First woman to establish a full time veterinary practice in Northern Territory servicing Darwin, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Katherine and Gove.
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Women on the Land
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Mary ADLER
Born 17 February 1862, Died 8 June 1897
Also known as: née Millar
Mary Adler came from Murtoa in the Wimmera. In 1893, she and her husband selected land at Lalbert, near Swan Hill, which they settled with their five sons. She died at 36 years of…
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Minna Marie Margaretha ALBRECHT
Born 11/12/1899, Died 18/11/1983
Also known as: née Gevers
Minna Gevers sailed to Canada from Germany to marry Friedrich Albrecht, who was there learning English for his new job as Superintendent at Hermannsburg Mission. Minna and Friedrich…
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Bridget ALLAN
A pioneer of the Heytesbury Closer settlement in Victoria, from around 1959 – 1960.
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Women’s Movement
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Stella ALLAN
Born 25/10/1871, Died 1/3/1962
Also known as: Stella Henderson, 'Vesta' (pen name)
Introduced the first woman’s page in Australian daily paper. In 1907, the Argus commissioned Stella to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women’s Work…
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Maybanke ANDERSON
Born 1845, Died 15/4/1927
Also known as: Maybanke Wolstoneholme (the name from her first marriage). Maybanke wrote regularly as 'Lois' in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Worked with Rose Scott, Louisa Lawson, the Windeyer family and others on the struggle for women’s suffrage and other legal, political and educational reforms. Helped found the…
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Selina Sarah Elizabeth ANDERSON
Born 12 May 1878, Died 30 November 1964
Also known as: Senie, Selina Siggins
1903 ‑First woman along with Vida Goldstein, Mary Ann Moore-Bentley and Nellie Martel, in Australia and British Empire to stand for National Parliament (unsuccessful). Selina Anderson…
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Helen Elizabeth ARCHDALE
Born 21 August 1907, Died 11 January 2000
Also known as: Betty Archdale
Headmistress of Abbotsleigh Girls School, Sydney. Officer in W.R.E.N.s during World War II. Became Principal of Women’s College at Sydney University. After her tenure at the…
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Mother
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Ruth HEGARTY
Born 1929
1929 — First Aboriginal baby born at Mitchell Hospital, Mitchell, Queensland.
Now an author, her first book, Is That You, Ruthie? (1999), was an autobiography. Her second book is… -
Eliza JENKINS
Also known as: née Sharp
… Eliza and Thomas Jenkins, worked on Lake Nash Station in the early 1890s.Mother of Esther Jenkins BOHNING.
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Mary Jane Catherine/Kathleen KUHN
Born 20 June 1896, Died 23/06/1966
Also known as: née Ross, Cookie, Kitty, Ma, Sandhill Gertie
Affectionately known as “Kitty,” “Ma,” and “Cookie” to the Aborigines.ca 1949 – 50 — First cook at Alice Springs Hospital and a (first) union…
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Mabel MEIN-BEL
Born 1934, Died 5/06/2016
Also known as: Mabel Jimarin
First Aboriginal woman to have quadruplets (all girls) in 1968, as well as the first Northern Territory quads. Then, in 1969, gave birth to twin girls.
Nanagu group; Brinkin… - View More
Mining
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Minnie BERRINGTON
Born 9 October 1897, Died 13 April 2001
1925 — First woman opal miner in Coober Pedy, South Australia.
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May Victoria BROWN
Born 24 May 1875, Died 23 July 1939
Also known as: née Weedon (aka Wheedon), "The Wolfram Queen"
Pioneer of Northern Territory.1921 – 1926 — The first publican to win the lease on The Victoria Hotel in Darwin.1928 – 1930 — Bought and managed the Pine Creek Hotel, Pine Creek, Northern…
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Faye NAYLER
Born 22/10/1932, Died 25/10/2015
Also known as: Elma Faye
First woman to own and operate an opal mine in Coober Pedy, South Australia. Established “The Opal Cave” in 1963 and gave the first tour of Coober Pedy.
Faye is the author of…
Conservation
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Helen CALDICOTT
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…
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Pat FLEMING
Born 2/03/1915, Died 9/07/1995
Also known as: née Wallace, Nungala, Daisy Alma was her birth name
Life Member of National Trust of Australia.
Pat came to the Northern Territory with her husband Baptist minister and missionary, Tom Fleming in 1950. Their son Adrian was two… -
Joan Elizabeth KIRNER
Born 1938, Died 2015
Also known as: née Hood
Joan Kirner became the first female head of government in Victoria when she was elected by the Labor Party to succeed Premier John Cain Junior following his resignation in 1990. She…
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Heather Mary MITCHELL-CARMICHAEL
Born 25 September 1917, Died 12 November 1999
Also known as: née Hutchieson
1985 — First woman president of Victorian Farmers Federation, and, with Joan Kirner, started the original Landcare Program.
1979 — She was appointed an Officer of the Order of… - View More
Gastronomy
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Stephanie ALEXANDER
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…
Transportation
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Agnes BUNTINE
Born 1821, Died 29 February 1896
Also known as: née Davidson, The Mother of Gippsland
Pioneer, possibly first and only woman “bullocky”.
She, and her husband, operated a small inn at Morris Creek, outside Tarraville, Victoria. 1845 — They established… -
Francesca Louise CAIRNS
Also known as: Fran
First Alice Springs, Northern Territory, woman to be employed as a grader driver.
Author of Drawing From the Well, inspired by her work “as a grader driver, a photographer and… -
Thora Daphne HOLZHEIMER
Born 5 July 1934, Died 29 February 1992
Also known as: née Bishop, Toots
*“First female truck driver to clock up over one million miles driving through some of Queenland’s most inhospitable terrain – Cape York Peninsula. Toots delivered freight to the…
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Michelle NYKAMP
Australia’s first woman to gain a Dangerous Goods Licence.
Road Train Driver — Travels 250,000kms a year in a 50m rig. - View More
Missionary
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Winifred Marie Narelle BULLARD
Born 1900, Died 1 May 1983
Also known as: Narelle
1937 — Began first Girl Guides Association in Tanganyika, Africa.
1953 — First Australian Deaconess to receive Imperial Honours, when appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE)… -
Pat FLEMING
Born 2/03/1915, Died 9/07/1995
Also known as: née Wallace, Nungala, Daisy Alma was her birth name
Life Member of National Trust of Australia.
Pat came to the Northern Territory with her husband Baptist minister and missionary, Tom Fleming in 1950. Their son Adrian was two…
Activist
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Sheila CLARKE
Born 20 June 1916, Died 4 May 2006
Also known as: née O'Loughlin
1944 — First woman elected to the Committee of the Federated Clerk’s Union in the Northern Territory.
1950 — Founding Committee member of the Half-Caste Progress Association in… -
Marie Yvonne COLEMAN
Born March 1933
Also known as: née Burns
She was editor of the University of Sydney student newspaper, Honi Soit, and was only the second woman to hold that title.
1972 – 1975 — Appointed as first chair of the National Social…
Engineering
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Esme E MARTENS
Born 1940
Australia’s first woman shire engineer was Miss Esme E Martens, when appointed to Woodburn Shire Council in New South Wales in 1967. (Still working in 2016).
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Stephanie ZANK
Born 1969
Australia’s first woman to become a Merchant Marine Engineer (1994).
To become a Merchant Marine Engineer requires a recognised qualification, qualifying sea-time and…
Radio
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Irene M. HALL
Also known as: Irene Shackcloth
Pioneer of radio writing for children. Her first work was broadcast on ABC in 1936. Her radio serial play “The Fakamagangees” was on the air with 3DB Jean Lawson’s children’s session…
Health
Women in healthcare
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Kaarene Noelle FITZGERALD
Born 12 December 1944, Died 24 May 2003
1999 — Appointed Companion of the Order of Australia for her services to the community and for “coordination of world-wide efforts to develop and research educational strategies…
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Rosemary YOUNG
1999 — First woman and first lay person to head the Uniting Church of Australia’s Frontier Services, formerly the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) when appointed as Director.…