Recognising inspiring women in our region

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We’re sure you know of inspiring women in our region. Now it’s time for you to tell us about them.

Council is asking residents to put forward ideas for local women who could be acknowledged in public memorials, as well as street names, parks, building and other civic facilities.

The idea came from a petition to State Parliament by eight-year-old, Malia Knox, calling for greater representation from women and girls in public spaces.

Malia used the hashtag #femalefaces4publicplaces project and now it’s our turn to recognise inspiring women in our region through public art and other civic recognition.

Please fill out the survey to tell us who you think should be recognised and give us the background on their achievements and why you think they are special.

Rather than a single statue, Council is now looking at a public art installation that would be a tribute to the women of the Bundaberg Region.

Fill out the survey now.

We’re sure you know of inspiring women in our region. Now it’s time for you to tell us about them.

Council is asking residents to put forward ideas for local women who could be acknowledged in public memorials, as well as street names, parks, building and other civic facilities.

The idea came from a petition to State Parliament by eight-year-old, Malia Knox, calling for greater representation from women and girls in public spaces.

Malia used the hashtag #femalefaces4publicplaces project and now it’s our turn to recognise inspiring women in our region through public art and other civic recognition.

Please fill out the survey to tell us who you think should be recognised and give us the background on their achievements and why you think they are special.

Rather than a single statue, Council is now looking at a public art installation that would be a tribute to the women of the Bundaberg Region.

Fill out the survey now.

  • Call for more women to be honoured in public spaces

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    Mayor Jack Dempsey has asked Bundaberg Region residents to put forward ideas for local women who could be acknowledged in public memorials.

    Mayor Dempsey said he was inspired to pursue the concept after learning about a petition to State Parliament by eight-year-old, Malia Knox, calling for greater representation from women and girls in public spaces.

    “The idea has a lot of merit,” he said.

    “Let’s face it, most of our public statues and monuments honour the memory of famous men. I’m not questioning their worthiness, just agreeing there’s a lack of women.

    “There’s an opportunity here, with Government support, to encourage public art and recognise some of the amazing achievements of women who were born in the Bundaberg Region or made significant contributions here and elsewhere.”

    Mayor Dempsey said he was starting a community conversation.

    Without offering an exhaustive list, he put forward a few names for consideration:

    Margaret Mittelheuser (1931-2013)

    She was the first female stockbroker in Australia and one of the first female stockbrokers in the world. Born in Bundaberg, her family moved to Brisbane where she won a place at The University of Queensland when she was only 16, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1952.

    Gladys Moncrieff performing in the 1930s.

    Gladys Moncrieff (1892-1976)

    She was a Bundaberg-born singer who was so successful in musical theatre and recordings that she became known as “Australia's Queen of Song” and “Our Glad”.

    Florence Broadhurst (1899-1977)

    A talented designer whose works are still sold today. She lived a colourful life and died in tragic circumstances.

    Mary Hannay Foott (1846-1918)

    Born in Glasgow, she was a poet, journalist and teacher who lived out her days in Bundaberg. In 1885, she published her best-known collection of poetry, Where The Pelican Builds and Other Poems.

    May Wirth (1894-1978)

    Circus Hall of Fame member May Wirth, born at Bundaberg in 1894, has been described as “one of the greatest female acrobats on horseback of all times”.

    “There are many others who could be added to a list for consideration,” Mayor Dempsey said.

    Other suggestions are welcome in the comments.


    Attorney-General and Minister for Women, Shannon Fentiman, said there are only three statues of women in Brisbane and she applauded Malia for her efforts and work towards gender equality.

    “It’s fantastic to see young Queenslanders like Malia are passionate about gender equality, speaking out and calling for change,” Ms Fentiman said.

    “We know there is a huge disparity between male and female representation across our public monuments thanks to Malia’s work on her #femalefaces4publicplaces project.

    “I always say ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’, and if we can honour women’s achievements and have them on display for young girls everywhere, then we are helping to show young girls that they can do anything.”

    https://www.bundabergnow.com/2021/04/13/mayor-calls-to-recognise-women-public-art/


  • Queensland moves to see more women and girls recognised in public spaces

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    Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
    The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

    The Palaszczuk Government has thrown its support behind eight-year-old Malia Knox who has been advocating for public statues, pictures and plaques to have a stronger representation of women and girls across the State.

    Attorney-General and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said there are only three statues of women in Brisbane and applauded Malia for her efforts and work towards gender equality.

    “It’s fantastic to see young Queenslanders like Malia are passionate about gender equality, speaking out and calling for change,” Ms Fentiman said.

    “We know there is a huge disparity between male and female representation across our public monuments thanks to Malia’s work on her #femalefaces4publicplaces project.

    “I always say ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’, and if we can honour women’s achievements and have them on display for young girls everywhere, then we are helping to show young girls that they can do anything.”

    Malia’s project started on a visit to Sherwood Arboretum when she asked her mother Kelley Knox why all the plaques at the central promenade were for men.

    After further research Malia could only find three statues of women in Brisbane, this sparked her idea to start a Parliamentary Petition which attracted almost 800 signatures.

    The Attorney said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to making sure Queensland’s public monuments are contemporary and reflect the communities we live in.

    “Last week, the Premier amended the Queensland Government Framework for Considering Proposals to Establish Memorials and Monuments of Significance,” Ms Fentiman said.

    “This will ensure submissions for proposed monuments or memorials on State Government land will need to include a response advising consideration of inclusion and diversity principles.

    “By doing all we can to increase the representation of real women and girls in memorials and monuments in Queensland, we are continuing to make a positive difference to the lives of women and girls in Queensland, such as Malia.”

    https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91647


Page last updated: 15 Mar 2022, 12:35 PM