Put her name on it ~

“I am not a snowflake. I am not a sweet, infantilising symbol of fragility and life,” she said. “I am a strong, fierce, flawed adult woman. I plan to remain that way, in life, and in death.” said Stella Young in 2014 just months before her death. Possibly one of the greatest and most memorable quotes of all time! And she is being remembered that way 💪🌟 On Thursday, to commemorate Stella in her hometown of Stawell, a statue was unveiled the first of six artworks to be unveiled over the coming months as part of the state government’s Victorian Women’s Public Art Program. #puthernameonit #findingher Sarah Barton a close friend of Stella's said that whilst Stella might think a statue in her honour pretty weird,  "It says this is a person that we valued, we respected, she was part of our society, and she made an important contribution. And I think when you are set in bronze that’s basically close to being set in stone.” You can learn more about Stella's legacy and life on Finding Her Commemorative Tour (link in profile) #knowhername Deep gratitude to @northerngrampiansshire @funky_femme_filosofy @ruthmcgowanoam @genderequityvic Family, friends, artists who made this happen. 💛

Portraits of Annie Borate and William Barak, the ancestral heroes of the Wurunjeri people can be found on the wall of 133 Westgarth St, Fitzroy. Here's Annie's story as shared by Wurundjeri Narrap Rangers Land, Water & Fire Natural Resources Management FB. 💛🖤♥️ Annie a.k.a.Borate (1834-6-c. 1870) Without this woman we would not have survived. Annie was the daughter of Bebejan and Tooterie, Annie Borate (a.k.a. Boorat or Boorrort or Barat), the younger sister of William Barak, was born on the Plenty River at the beginning of Victoria’s European settlement. She bore several children, with only her eldest son, Robert Wandin (Wandoon) surviving to adulthood. Annie and Barak’s brother Parrpun, negotiated a ‘sister exchange’ in which Annie was married to Andrew Pondy-yaweet of the Kurnai Brataualung tribe of Gippsland in exchange for Lizzie, Barak’s first wife. This was a marked departure for our people as it was usual practice to marry within the Kulin confederacy. The formation of new alliances signalled the extreme threat European settlement posed to our collective survival. Annie and Andrew’s union was an unhappy one. Our sophisticated lore made provision for what would be described as a “no fault divorce” for the unhappy couple in 1864. Approximately 110 years later, the Australian Family Law Act (1975), which allows for no-fault divorce, was enacted by the Australian government. ♥️🖤💛

Minnie Watts, was born at Rosedale in 1882 one of 14 children in a Catholic family. Minnie married William Eason (an Anglican) in the Rosedale Catholic Church in 1902. At this time, the Catholic Church and the Church of England strongly opposed marriages between their congregations. Arnold, Elma and Norma were born between 1905 and 1911 and in 1912,  tragically Norma was burnt to death while temporarily out of Minnie’s sight. Minnie likely suffered from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder due to witnessing the traumatic death of her child. In addition, a priest allegedly blamed Norma's death on Minnie for marrying a Protestant, compounding her distress. In 1914 they moved to Koo Wee Rup and Minnie gave birth to Gwenda. William was frequently absent from his family pursuing many voluntary interests. In 1917, William discarded Minnie into the harrowing world of mental institutions at a time when Minnie believed her husband was unfaithful, and she was resentful of his frequent absences from home. Concerningly, Minnie was committed to the Royal Park Receiving House based on William's belief that Minnie was jealous, and two male doctors supported William's judgement. Detained against her will, Minnie lost everything that gave meaning to her life: all contact with her children, family and friends, access to music, a sense of purpose, dignity, hope, freedom, and the opportunity to attend church. After 11 years of institutionalised incarceration, Minnie died alone and buried in an unmarked grave. William however was honoured with a monument at the gateway to the Koo Wee Rup school. 93 years later, Minnie's life has been brought out of the darkness. She can now take a proper place in the Eason family story, her hometown and perhaps even Australian history since she is one of the thousands of silenced women who died in Victorian asylums. Her great granddaughter Karen Collins has written Into the Darkness: The Story of Minnie and William Eason and recently commemorated Minnie's life with a headstone at the Rosedale Cemetery You can download the book at a new website dedicated to Minnie. .au

Right now councils across Victoria are deciding what gets funded. There is a window to ask for change and the means to make it happen. With women’s histories and contributions practically invisible on our maps and in our streets you can take this chance to help change history. Please 😁 In our latest Blog (link in our bio) we present three ways you can help #puthernameonit. But because of this important BUDGET window its perfect timing to focus on #3 Make a budget submission Here’s how Budgets are where values turn into action. A budget submission asks council to put real money and/or resources behind equality. At budget time of the year anyone can submit a budget bid. Here’s what councils are being asked to fund across Victoria: 📋Audit - Internal 220 hrs or outsourced $22,000 📈Gender Impact Assessment - Internal 20 hrs or outsourced $2,000 🏦Name Bank inc. local women - Internal 150 hrs or outsourced $15,000 👩‍💻Policy with a 70% target - Internal 150 hrs or outsourced $15,000 👥Governance group for accountability - Internal within existing resources 📝Action Plan - Internal 10 hours or outsourced $1000 🙋🏼‍♀️Staff or project role to get the job done - Minimum $40,000 for 12 months 🪧Naming at least one place after a woman each year - existing resources 🗽Public Art - Allocate existing budget to art of women by women or $75,000 per annum to leverage 💲Place naming and public art is business as usual for councils so progress can be made with small, once-off investments 👉To lodge a budget submission just email your local council with the above list of requests asking them to fund place naming and public art equality because herstory matters too - and the gap is ludicrous 😛 The inequality in place naming and public art is unacceptable but it’s an inequality that can be fixed and YOU have enormous power to kick start it. A simple email could be all it takes. It’s worth a try. Oh and be sure to let us know if you do

Goldie Crescent and Min Way at Wonthaggi are powerful reminders that the stories of women deserve to be seen, celebrated and remembered in our public places Developer Parklea is helping close the gender gap in place naming through a meaningful commitment to recognising women who shaped their communities. As Parklea says: “The details that make a place feel like home. Our streets aren’t just named: they’re stories. Stories of women who have helped shape the community: their full names now proudly displayed. It’s a small detail, but one that adds meaning, connection and a deeper sense of place for our community.” We couldn’t agree more. This is leadership in action and a standard we hope the entire development industry embraces through #puthernameonit So who are the women being honoured at Parklands Estate Wonthaggi? ✨ Goldie Crescent honours Goldie Eleanor Mary Williams Guthrie (1911–1992), a much-loved Wonthaggi hotelier and publican who ran the iconic Caledonian Hotel with her husband Charlie Guthrie. During their time there, locals affectionately knew it simply as “Goldie’s.” ✨ Min Way celebrates Mary Kathleen “Min” Gillespie, a true pioneer of the Wonthaggi and District Hospital. Beginning as a trainee nurse in 1923, Min dedicated 38 years of service to the community, eventually becoming Matron. These place names are women’s legacies woven into the fabric of community exactly where they should be These names challenge conventional naming bias and practice in gender and contribution, elevating the importance of celebrating women as the local community shapers and history makers they were 💕🌸 🙏 @parklandsestate @genderequityvic @herplacemuseum @dtpvicgov @basscoastshire

We want to see every council in Victoria name a place after a woman in 2026. The City of Casey have just #puthernameonit so who’s next? Maybe you can nominate a council? Agnes O’Brien now has a place of her own - after community consultation and support the @cityofcaseycouncil have formally named the park beside Autumn Place Community Hub in Doveton Agnes O’Brien Reserve - a lasting tribute to a woman whose kindness will be remembered for generations. Agnes devoted her life to supporting young people in Doveton, creating opportunities, and ensuring no child ever felt left behind. In a touching tribute, her son Steve said that his mum lived an incredible life and “her legacy will live on forever through her family, through this park and through the people who have been a part of her life.” The City chose to honour Agnes with a public place commemoration and a permanent thanks for her kindness, generosity, and lifelong service to the Doveton community.

Attention world leaders, changemakers, and those controlling the purse strings Julia, Justin, Katy, Maliha, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Jacinda… and anyone else who knows their way around influence and impact. While everyone else is running between sessions at #WomenDeliver2026, let me save you some time: ✨ The real action is at Booth B07 ✨ We’re right at the heart of the gender equality conversation — not just talking about change, but showing exactly how to make it happen. I’m here alongside 18 powerhouse women-led organisations (hosted by GenVic) proving what it looks like to Put Her Name On It. We’re talking place names, public art, visibility, and rewriting who gets remembered. Swing by and you’ll find: 💥 Postcards, badges, stickers — because movements need merch 🗺️ Tools to nominate future place names (yes, you can fix the map) 🔍 “Finding Her” — uncovering the women already there (and the many missing) 🎨 Women’s Public Art Program highlights — because visibility matters 🚶‍♀️ She Shapes History — walking tours that tell the stories you should’ve learned Was this a panel-worthy lineup? Obviously. Were we put on the agenda? Not quite. Are we still the place to be? Absolutely. So if you care about power, legacy, and making sure women’s stories are impossible to ignore… 👉 Come find me at Booth B07. I’ll be the one making history louder!

Lest we Forget 🇦🇺 Dr Vera Scantlebury Brown OBE was a renowned Australian medical practitioner in the field of pediatrics, who made her way overseas to serve on the front’ during World War One as 1 of 6 Australian female surgeons. She pioneered infant welfare in the state of Victoria and became the first woman appointed as the head of a state government department. A flashback .. It is a privilege and honour to be chosen to create this bronze artwork tribute to Dr Vera Scantlebury OBE and I am excited to be a founding contributor to raising the recognition and representation of women in public art across Victoria. My hope is that this project prompts greater public awareness and curiosity regarding the need for increased artistic acknowledgement of the founding women achievers in this State. #lucymceachernsculpture #australianwarmemorial #femalewarheroes #hero #anzacspirit

Counting down to Women Deliver Melbourne 2026 🙏 to @raniengineer and Bec from The Original Printers We’re all merched up with Put Her Name On It pieces — small things that carry big meaning. Grateful to be heading into a week of being in spaces where women’s voices are seen, heard, and named and the powerful impact we will create 💪 BIG opportunity to listen and learn from global movers and shakers Looking forward to showcasing our work too - because place names matter See you there 🤍 @herplacemuseum @sheshapeshistory @dtpvicgov - hope you like the postcards 💕 we will be spruiking you too @genderequityvic @women_deliver

March was big. Really big. When Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day align with work focused on embedding women’s stories into place names and public art, it’s more than a moment — it’s momentum. So we didn’t let it pass. We made the most of it. Throughout March, we: 🥳 Celebrated 🚀 Launched new initiatives 🏁 Started important conversations 🤝 Built and strengthened connections 📺 Shared our work more widely 📈 Inspired action 🏳️‍⚧️ Showed up proudly and visibly 🎙️ Hosted conversations 📝 Got issues onto agendas where they belong 😜 and so many gatherings with wildly important people Because every action contributes to a more gender-equitable future. One where the women already recognised in our public spaces are truly visible and where many more are acknowledged through the places we name, design, and inhabit. A sincere thank you to everyone who collaborated, contributed, and took a step forward this month. Here’s a snapshot of my March. And yes… planning for March 2027 has already begun 🤗 @genderequityvic @herplacemuseum @amooaus @clarewrighthistorian @csandy09 @micaela_drieberg @sargesita @historyvictoria @maryannethomasmp @nickstaikos @sonyakilkennymp

Last year, I had the privilege of inviting @kristine.olaris_oam then Mayor and currently Councillor at @darebincouncil to speak at a @genderequityvic Put Her Name on It forum. This year, I’m honoured to be speaking at a forum she is leading with Darebin City Council — continuing the momentum to drive real change in our communities. As Director of Put Her Name On It, I see every day how inequality shows up in our public spaces — in what (and who) we choose to recognise, how places are designed, who they are designed by and for and the impact this has on how women and gender diverse people feel in public places. This forum is about changing that. It’s about practical, achievable actions that local governments can take to create safer, more inclusive, and more equitable public places. If you’re a Councillor, Executive, or leader in local government this is your space to show up, lean in, share ideas, and be part of tangible change. Growing Gender Equality Through Local Impact 📍 Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne 📅 Thursday, 23 April 2026 🕐 1:00 – 3:00 pm You’ll hear from inspiring leaders including Mayor @emilydimitriadis Cr. Olaris OAM, Anya Murray @vlgassoc Meagan Merritt Darebin Council, Vanessa Czerniawski @womenshealtheast This is an intimate event and therefore numbers are limited so be sure to get in quick and RSVP via email: [email protected] Let’s move beyond conversation and into action. I hope to see you there. @micaela_drieberg @algwa_vic

Repost @cityofgreatergeelong and quietly we love their draft Place Naming Policy soooooo much 💕so be sure to Have your Say before it closes on the 15th April. Word on the street 🛣️ From rock icons to wartime nurses, many places across Greater Geelong quietly honour people who’ve shaped the region in incredible ways. That includes a good track record of recognising local women through street names. Here are a few you might not know. 🎤 Amphlett Way, Geelong recognises Chrissy Amphlett, the powerhouse frontwoman of Divinyls who grew up in Belmont and helped redefine women in rock. ✈️ Brennan Street, Thomson honours Geelong resident Betty Brennan, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force during WWII. ⚓ Devine Street, Charlemont pays tribute to Kathleen Devine, a Barwon Heads local who served as a nurse on a military hospital ship during WWI. 🎖️ Duve Street, Marshall celebrates sisters Margaret, Betty and Patricia Duve, who served in the Australian Women’s Army Service. 💉 Gilliland Street, Charlemont recognises Winifred Gilliland, a Geelong-trained nurse who served during WWI and was awarded the Royal Red Cross. 📡 Wise Street, Charlemont honours Lillian Wise, who left Geelong to serve as a Signalwoman in WWII. These names are part of the shared story. As Greater Geelong continues to grow, there’s an opportunity to do even more, making sure future place names across streets, parks, buildings and beyond reflect the full diversity of the community and the people who’ve helped shape it. Place naming is a careful process, shaped by community input and state guidelines. 🔗 yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/place-naming-policy