The ‘Moreland Remembers’ exhibition documents the monumental efforts of Australian women during World War I. During this time, Women played the role of family and community leaders, displaying courage and strength while suffering with the emotional burdens of missing their loved ones and the grief of losing husbands and sons to the War. Women at […]
Tag: Women
Viola Josephine Mann (1904-1972) – Invisible Farmer of Yan Yean
My Mother Viola Josephine Mann (maiden name McLaughlin) was born in Traralgon, Victoria on the 16th January, 1904. She was the daughter of Thomas Joseph McLaughlin and Elizabeth Therese Bushby. Her father, Thomas, was a shoemaker who had a shop in the small town of Trafalgar, in Gippsland, Victoria. In 1906, when Viola was two […]
A Pioneer Woman’s story
I have a story of pioneer farming woman in the Strathewen area. I heard of this story, many years ago and it has stuck firmly in my memory bank ever since. I believe the event was told in a book by an Arthurs Creek man. I would like to give that long gone man, the credit […]
Whittlesea’s Invisible Farmers
This story has been inspired by the Invisible Farmer Project. This is the largest ever study of Australian women on the land. It aims to create new histories of rural Australia, reveal the hidden stories of women on the land and document the diverse, innovative and vital role of women in agriculture. Yes, Whittlesea has […]
Portrait of Harriet
Harriet Wright was a pioneer and settler in the Plenty District. It is often difficult to find records of women at this time but for Harriet a hint of her pedigree is given on her headstone in Yan Yean Cemetery (Whittlesea): Sacred To the memory of HARRIET WRIGHT Second daughter of JOSEPH WRIGHT ESQ. Artist […]
Women were there too
Olive’s story: women were there too – Olive Haynes (Dooley) By Liz Pidgeon ‘I am so glad I brought my gramophone that was given to me. The men simply love it, and I have to promise it days ahead to the different huts and tents. They start it going the minute they awake, and never stop until they have to. […]
Heidelberg’s favourite music teacher
Fitzroy-born soprano Mary Conly arrived virtually unknown in London in 1902, aged 27. Within a year she was well on the way to widespread recognition as a first rate professional concert and oratorio singer. She was a “dramatic soprano”, her voice noted for its beauty and sweetness of tone, coupled with immense power. For a […]
Plenty Craft Group
The Plenty Craft Group was started after a meeting was called by Mrs. Kath Heard in early 1983, and originally called the Plenty Art and Craft Group. Kath had grandchildren attending the Plenty Primary School at the time and her own children had also attended the school. For the first few years we met at […]
Elizabeth Austin
Elizabeth Austin was a Victorian pioneer and philanthropist during the late nineteenth century, driven to improve the lives of older and poorer women. Elizabeth, along with twenty exceptional women was inducted in 2012 on to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, as a part of International Women’s Day activities. Elizabeth and her husband Thomas built Winchelsea’s […]
Eliza Smith (Band) Hotelier of St Andrews
Eliza Knell/Smith came to Australia as Eliza Band in 1854 from St Andrews, Scotland. Eliza lived in St Andrews, formerly known as Queenstown, (Shire of Eltham, County of Evelyn), for over fifty years. Eliza and her family owned the St Andrews Hotel and the Post Office for over sixty years. Eliza was a well respected […]