Celebrating Women Of The Whitsundays

Women from across the region crowded into the Proserpine Museum on Saturday, eager to learn more about their influential predecessors who had helped shape the region.

This special event catered for 80 people and was completely sold out in advance.

It was organised into two sessions, a morning and an afternoon tea, where guests could mingle and marvel at the lovingly created displays.

Local guest speakers, Karina Shim and Alison Holmes, who have both immersed themselves into the local community, gave heart-warming speeches.

Entertainment was provided by a professional musician and teacher at Proserpine State High School, Cathy Muir, who was accompanied by the very talented Acadia Simmons on violin and piano.

The idea for the new display came about when museum volunteers noticed that a 1917 collage page depicted entirely male pioneers of the region, with no reflection of women’s contribution.

“We decided to do something about it!” said Proserpine Museum volunteer, Larraine Biggs.

Endearingly known as ‘The Wow Factor’, the Women of the Whitsundays special display showcases the lives of over 40 women, their stories told in original profiles and illustrated with old photos of their lives.

“We realised that we had very little in the museum that featured women and acknowledging their contribution to the community,” said Larraine.

“Women were often considered just someone’s wife, but in fact a lot of these women were astute business women working in areas such as local government, retail, hospitality and tourism.”

The display will be at Proserpine Museum foyer for another month and volunteers are interested in hearing from other families who may have incredible stories to tell.

Simply drop a note in their suggestion box.

Volunteers at the Proserpine Museum standing in front of the Women of the Whitsundays display. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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