Australia’s first interactive state-wide map spotlighting locations commemorating women has been launched today at HerPlace Museum in Victoria.
Just one part of Put Her Name On It, a project aimed at making women’s stories, lives and achievements visible, Finding Her allows visitors to follow the Find Her Trail of statues, significant places and public art installations that celebrate the achievements of Victorian women.
“Women and gender-diverse people have made a significant contribution to Victoria, in politics, science, community, the arts, business and sport. But it’s not always been easy to find a street name or a statue that records the achievements of women. Now, with the launch of Finding Her, we’re changing all of that,” said the Honourable Mary Delahunty, Chair of HerPlace Women’s Museum.
The Finding Her project is a virtual and physical tour where visitors can use QR codes and an interactive map to find names and places of inspiring women. There are videos and photographs to accompany, which share the stories of women activists, pioneers of industry and significant contributors to Victorian public life.
There have been 60 plus women identified across 35 sites through the project such as a plaque celebrating the life of disability advocate Tilly Aston in Carisbrook, a seat for suffragist Vida Goldstein in Portland, a statue for philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at Frankston Art Centre and a statue for Kurnai matriarch of Gippsland, Kitty Johnson (also known as Youwali or Kitty of Cunningham).
Finding Her is a collaboration between HerPlace Women’s Museum, Gender Equity Victoria, Just Gold and the Victorian Government’s Geographic Names Victoria. It has also been supported with dedicated funding and commitment to gender equity and commemorative justice by Geographic Names Victoria and the Victorian Government.
“We are lucky to have a Gender Equality Act in Victoria, making projects like this possible,” said Delahunty, “With Easter coming, we can get out and visit sites in our hometowns and tourists can be drawn to another innovative trail of significant historic, cultural and public art sites.”
Delahunty also invites schools to use the Finding Her map in history classes, as the digital map is designed to be updated as new sites of significance are created.
Community groups, local councils, historical societies and anyone with an interesting story to share of women’s achievements in Victoria can apply for inclusion on the Finding Her Map through the website.
Chair of GENVIC Julie Kun said, “Increasing gender equal representation and recognition is an important part of our work to create safe and respectful spaces for all. Finding Her is about making visible the full diversity of our society in our public spaces. It’s a project for gender equity and reminds everyone that our community is shaped by people of all genders.”