A little online storytelling can go a long way, and locals may have noticed the stories and scenery of some amazing figures from Yarra Ranges’ history appearing across social media since October this year.
Now showing at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, the innovative new project, Badass Women of the Yarra Ranges, is both a physical and digital body of work that tells the stories of 11 remarkable women from across the region.
“We want to reinsert their stories into the collective consciousness and hopefully inspire younger generations to remember these women,” Yarra Ranges Regional Museum curator Maddie Reece said.
Running from 18 October to 7 December, the exhibit includes a driving map that takes people all over the Yarra Ranges to discover the stories of some of the area’s beloved icons, like garden designer Edna Walling and opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.
People can also learn about Alice Anderson, the first woman to drive the Black Spur; Eileen Steenson, a daring pilot who flew from Australia to England; and Aunty Dorothy ‘Dot’ Peters, whose advocacy brought recognition to Aboriginal service people.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said this project is a powerful reminder of the courage, creativity and determination of women from our region.
“It celebrates the legacy of women who led the way — often against the odds — and ensures their contributions are recognised, remembered and honoured,” he said.
Dreamt up over a lunch break, Ms Reece said she met with the She Shapes History founder Sita Sargeant after realising the feminist tour guide was also running a tour that included Dame Nellie Melba in Melbourne, and the collaboration soon followed.
“We’ve got this amazing illustrated adventure tour map by illustrator Amandine Thomas that takes you beyond the museum, off your phone, and into what the Yarra Ranges has to offer,” Ms Reece said.
Filming on site across the Yarra Ranges and delivering a ton of energy in her online storytelling, Sita Sargeant from She Shapes History shines the spotlight on some iconic figures who have shaped Australian history and broken barriers in their time.
“If we want respect for women today, we need to recognise the women who shaped our past,” Ms Sargeant said.
She Shapes History is a social enterprise spotlighting often overlooked contributions of women and other marginalised communities to Australian history, founded by Ms Sargeant in Canberra in 2021, the museum was excited to work with her.
To bring the project to life, the teams from the museum and She Shapes History consulted with historical societies and First Nations families across the region to source the history and local connections of the women selected for the project.
“They were instrumental in telling these stories and helping us to connect with people across the region who might have more information,” Ms Reece said.
From a beautiful painting and journals, to a stool used by Edna Walling herself, the physical exhibit in Lilydale is small but powerful, with a number of artefacts to accompany the history being brought into the modern day.
“What we have done with the museum display here is actually drawn out the collection to represent some of those stories as well, and local private collectors have contributed as well,” Ms Reece said.
The museum also has an interactive honour board, where residents can nominate other women throughout Yarra Ranges’ history whom they admire.
“They can add their details to the wall,” said Ms Reece.
Museum Director Megan Sheehy said the collaboration with She Shapes History is about inspiring the next generation to challenge the status quo with the stories of incredible local women.
“These women weren’t just part of history — they shaped it,” she said.
With advocates, travellers, designers, artists and more, the Badass Women of the Yarra Ranges physical exhibition will close in style to coincide with the Lilydale Melba Festival and Street Fair on 7 December, with Sita Sargeant set to make a few guest appearances.
