The new artworks celebrate pioneering artists, trailblazing campaigners and proud First Nations women, right across the state. They are:
- Agnes Chambers, Agnes Doig and the Wonthaggi Miners Women's Auxiliary – a trailblazing collective of striking miners’ wives, who advocated for women’s rights while supporting the miners. (Bass Coast Shire Council)
- Aunty Dorothy Peters – a proud Yarra Yarra woman, activist, educator, author and Elder who raised awareness of issues impacting First Nations people. (Knox City Council)
- Aunty Margaret (Lilardia) Tucker – a survivor of the Stolen Generation who was a committed activist for Aboriginal rights. (Maribyrnong City Council)
- Louisa Briggs – an Aboriginal rights leader, midwife and nurse who advocated for the rights of displaced First Nations people. (City of Port Phillip)
- The Women of Montsalvat – the driving forces behind Montsalvat’s design, construction and culture, who defied the cultural expectations of their day to establish an inclusive artistic community. (Montsalvat Artist Community, Eltham).
They join a sculpture of Barbara Rae, the winning captain of the first women’s cricket match held in Australia, to be created by the City of Greater Bendigo on Dja Dja Wurrung country. Barabara Rae’s sculpture was fittingly announced during the women’s Test series at the MCG.
Last year, organisations were invited to apply for funding under the second round of the program that celebrates women and their achievements. After a technical assessment process, 13 projects were shortlisted to be part of a public engagement process.
The Victorian community were invited to have their say on which stories they would most like to see honoured through art - and now six new artworks have been commissioned.
The Victorian Women’s Public Art Program is funded by the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund and run in partnership with McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery. McClelland supports contemporary artists to develop, create and present their work, and manages a range of programs to commission artwork.
Read the stories behind the art on the Victorian Women's Public Art Program webpage.