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Image 1: Jo Stone and Lila Rowley (1914–2004) Credit:Rye Historical Society
Image 2: Lorraine Cole Credit: Balnarring & District Historical Society
Image 3: Mornington Baths Credit: Mornington Lifesaving Club
ABOUT THE PUBLIC ART EXHIBITION
When: Saturday 8 March - Sunday 8 June
What: Public Art - A visual photographic story
Where: Mornington Shire Building (External wall) - 2 Queen Street, Mornington
HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula is a public art initiative created to honour and celebrate the vital contributions of women in shaping the cultural, social, and historical identity of the Mornington Peninsula. By reclaiming history from a female perspective, this project sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of women whose efforts, achievements, and resilience have profoundly influenced the region. Spanning from early European settlement, the project underscores the enduring impact of these women, connecting their narratives to present-day efforts for gender equality.
Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters. We acknowledge the role of Bunurong women past and present in the self-determination of the Bunurong people, and their continuing contribution to culture.
The HERStory public art project focuses on the story of non-Indigenous women, as one small piece of the history of the Mornington Peninsula. We acknowledge the need for truth-telling of First Nations history and continue to work with the Bunurong people to create the space needed to honour these stories.
Click on the images below to read more about the featured stories.
HERstory: Talk Series
Join us for a powerful talk series presented alongside HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula, a public art project celebrating International Women’s Day. These thought-provoking discussions will explore the defiance, resilience, and legacy of women who have shaped history—both locally and beyond.
Talk 1: Saturday 8 March Monica Cronin - Historian and Curator Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History
Talk 2: Saturday 12 April Jean Rotherham - Historian and President of Dromana and District Historical Society The Monster Petition: Voices for Change in 1891
Talk 3: Saturday 10 May Cate Cox - Historian and member of Rye Historical Society Lila Rowley: A Legacy of Strength and Service
About HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula
The project draws on the United Nations International Women’s Day 2025 theme, March Forward, aligning its message with global calls for accelerated action towards gender equity. Through visual storytelling, HERstory engages the community in a dialogue about the triumphs and challenges faced by women, inspiring reflection on how their legacies resonate today. This initiative transforms public space that celebrates history, informs the community, and fosters engagement with local women’s stories.
The project takes the form of a public art installation—vinyls—on the Mornington Peninsula Shire external office wall. The artwork features a dynamic montage of archival photographs, and interpretations sourced in collaboration with the Local History Network Group. These elements will highlight women’s diverse roles, from domestic and agricultural work to activism, arts, and leadership.
The inclusion of notable figures such as Georgiana McCrae, alongside images of women in roles like apple pickers, life savers, and suffrage advocates, creates a multi-dimensional narrative. This approach ensures the representation of a broad spectrum of experiences, emphasising both the everyday and extraordinary contributions of women. The design, informed by historical aesthetics and contemporary graphic techniques, contextualises these stories while making them visually compelling and accessible to the public.
The project is grounded in themes of gender equality, community resilience, and historical recognition. By connecting the narratives of historical figures with collective movements such as the Women’s Suffrage Petition of 1891, HERstory weaves individual achievements into the broader fabric of women’s rights advocacy. These stories are a reminder of the progress achieved and the work that remains to be achieved. The project also emphasises intersectionality, exploring diverse experiences across socioeconomic, cultural, and professional backgrounds to ensure inclusivity.
HERstory is not only a celebration but also a call to action. In embracing the powerful stories of women on the Mornington Peninsula, this project builds a bridge between past and present, inspiring future generations to continue advocating for recognition, justice, and equality.
Curator: Georgia Rouette
Artwork Design: Eleesa Howard and Sarah Tohill
Acknowledgements
HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula project is a collaborative project with the Mornington Peninsula Local History Network, fostering a shared commitment to uncovering and celebrating the rich histories of local women.
Balnarring & District Historical Society
Dromana & District Historical Society
Flinders District Historical Society
Hastings - Western Port Historical Society
Mt Martha House Historical Collection
Mornington & District Historical Society
Mornington Life Saving Club
National Trust, Mornington Peninsula Branch
Rye Historical Society
Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society
Sorrento Museum and Nepean Historical Society
Special thank you to the Public Record Office Victoria