An Australian rock icon, an Aboriginal women's safety advocate and a pioneer of Melbourne's Italian cuisine scene are among 16 new stories being shared on an interactive map recognising significant Victorian women.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins announced today the 15 new locations being added to Her Place Women's Museum's Finding Her map, after more than 50 nominations from Victorians.
Finding Her is Australia's first interactive map spotlighting locations that commemorate women and gender-diverse people across Victoria.
The initiative, launched in March 2023, is part of Her Place Women's Museum's mapping of more than 60 women and gender diverse people who have shaped Victoria, linking the places and monuments that they are connected to with videos, stories and photographs of their lives via QR codes on every site.
The $50,000 investment from the Labor Government enabled Her Place Women's Museum to research and produce the latest stories, which are now live on Finding Her.
Her Place Women's Museum received more than 50 nominations from members of the public after a call-out for suggestions last year. To explore the full map, visit findingher.org.au.
As stated by Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins
"We're bringing women's stories out of the shadows into our streets - so every Victorian can see and celebrate the trailblazers who helped shape our state."
"Whether you explore the map online or visit the sites in person, you'll be inspired by the women behind these stories - and how their legacies continue to shape Victoria today."
As stated by Her Place Women's Museum Board Chair the Honourable Mary Delahunty
"Women have played a vital role in shaping Victoria, leading the law, schools and universities, creating businesses and scientific breakthroughs, becoming Premiers, ridden Melbourne Cup winners, won Logies and Oscars."
"Now through research and a public nominations process, Her Place Women's Museum has discovered more stories and sites to celebrate. These additions to the Finding Her Project will make more Women visible and start to rebalance the history books."
The 15 new sites include:
A plaque for first nations leader Antoinette Braybrook AM in Melton
- A sculpture of beloved matriarch Aunty Alma Roach at O'Donnell Gardens in St Kilda
Beryl Phillips Reserve named for community leader and environmentalist Beryl Phillips in Mount Evelyn
Amphlett Lane - a commemorative lane featuring murals honouring Australian rock icon Chrissy Amphlett in Melbourne
Constance Stone lane - named after the first woman to practice medicine in Australia Dr Constance Stone in Melbourne
Edna Walling cottage and garden commemorating Victoria's first female landscape architect Edna Walling in Sherbrooke
Hanna Watts Park named for pioneering local Midwife "Grannie" Hannah Watts in Melton
The grave of leading suffragist Henrietta Dugdale in Queenscliff
A dreaming trail and history walk including a commemoration to Aboriginal rights activist, educator and artist Hyllus Maris in Healesville
A mural featuring disability pride activist Lesley Hall OAM
A mural celebrating iconic artist Mirka Mora in St Kilda
A laneway named after one of Australia's first female test match cricketers Nell McLarty in South Melbourne
A sculpture commemorating politician and LGBTIQA+ ally Olive Zakharov in South Melbourne
A mural of restaurateur Teresa Bruno in Brunswick East
The Great Petition sculpture honouring women who petitioned for the right to vote in Melbourne
A memorial stone commemorating beloved local historian Val Sheehan in Coldstream
