The Murray Darling Basin stretches across four States in Australia and is home to the country’s three longest rivers, the Murray, the Darling and the Murrumbidgee. The Mannum Dock Museum hosted the tour from the 9 December 2019 to 30 December 2020.
Every river has a story and these ever changing landscapes are, and have been, a lifeline to so many. As far as records date back, many river stories have evolved and recorded as to the men who played major roles with the contribution of women often overlooked.
The Women of the River Country exhibition has been produced as a national exhibition to highlight stories of remarkable river women who has played vital roles in shaping our mighty river country.
The exhibition showcases the stories of 19 unique women from the mid 1800’s to present day. From early pioneers to an internationally acclaimed sporting icon, to a world class musician, all of whom have been connected with our magnificent river-scape.
Visit the venue near you to be enthralled with stories of:
Pearl Wallace NSW – First Woman River Captain
Ruby Hunter SA – Aboriginal Singer, Songwriter
Ivy Carr SA – Queen of Cuisine on the Murray
Mary Ann Randell SA – Murray River Mother
Elizabeth “Bessie” Randell SA – A Murray River Love Story
Eliza Arbuckle SA – A Murray River Explorer
Jessie Wakefield SA – World War One Heronine
Mary Ann Edwards SA – A River Entrepreneur
Pauline Milich SA – Mother of 14, Midwife to over 200 more!
Ella Chaffey SA – Stories from a River Past
Hattie Schell & Hattie Sexton Schell VIC – The Two Hatties
Hilda Creager NSW – Professional Fisherwoman
Elizabeth Williams NSW – Courage and a Cannon
Jessie Dunstone VIC – Well, I Love it!
Margaret Court AO, MBE, PhdLLD (hon) NSW – Albury NSW Tennis Legend
Helen Sutherland NSW – Murray Grey Breeder
Elyne Mitchell VIC – A Woman of High River Country
Essie Nesbitt VIC – Over 20,000 River Welcomes.
In addition, local ladies will be profiled in the exhibition who have shaped the township of the local areas the exhibition will travel through.
A booklet has been produced with extended versions of the short profiles depicted on the plinths and is for sale in the Mannum Visitor Information Centre for $25.00.
1/9/16 – 30/10/16 – Port of Echuca Discovery Centre (VIC)
4/11/16 – 4/12/16 – Albury Library Museum (NSW)
8/12/16 – 22/1/17 – Elyne Mitchell Library, Corryong (VIC)
18/3/17 – 27/4/17 – Old Police Station, Goolwa (SA)
1/5/17 – 21/6/17 – Olivewood, Renmark (SA)
24/6/17 – 16/8/17 – Mildura Arts Centre (VIC)
19/8/17 – 11/10/17 – Wentworth Visitor Information Centre (NSW)
19/10/17 – 11/12/17 – SA Maritime Museum Port Adelaide (SA)
1/2/18 – 16/3/18 – Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, Swan Hill (VIC)
4/5/18 – 10/6/18 – Murray Bridge Regional Gallery (SA)
20/6/18 – 31/3/19 – Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney (NSW)
18/4/19 – 30/7/19 – Loxton Historical Village, Loxton (SA)
1/8/19 – 30/9/19 – Swan Reach Town Hall, Swan Reach (SA) – Open Wednesday & Saturday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
10/10/19 – 31/1/20 – Pendle’s Tea Rooms, Morgan (SA)
2/2/20 – 30/12/20 – Arnold Gallery, Mannum (SA)
