Will Ipswich City Council spend $100,000 grant on statue for Ash Barty?

The state government is encouraging councils to apply for significant grants to build more monuments to women across Queensland. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Ipswich City Council says it is looking at ways to honour Wimbledon champion Ash Barty in her home town.

Ipswich City Council says it is investigating whether it will apply for a state government grant worth up to $100,000 to build a statue honouring one of the city’s favourite daughters.

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman wrote to Queensland mayors in April advising them that grants through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund - worth about $59 million a year in total - had nearly tripled this year from the usual $35,000.

She encouraged local leaders to consider using the funds to erect more memorials and monuments to women to address an inequality across the state.

Ash Barty in action at the Australian Open earlier this year.

It came after Year 4 student Malia Knox’s petition advocating for more public statues, pictures and plaques to have a stronger representation of women and girls around Queensland attracted almost 800 signatures.

Ms Fentiman said there were only three statues of women in Brisbane.

“We know there is a huge disparity between male and female representation across our public monuments thanks to Malia’s work on her #femalefaces4publicplaces project,” she said.

“I always say ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’, and if we can honour women’s achievements and have them on display for young girls everywhere, then we are helping to show young girls that they can do anything.”

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the council was “looking at ways’ to honour local tennis champion Ash Barty following her Wimbledon victory.

Malia Knox with Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.

“The Queensland Government recently announced a boost in the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, offering up to $100,000 to promote the construction of more female statues across Queensland,” she said.

“Council has already started an investigation into whether this might be a potential option, which will require further discussions between our councillors and local state representatives.

“Council would need to explore various locations around Ipswich, look at the relevant costs and seek the input of the community and Ash herself before making a final decision on the future of an Ash Barty statue in Ipswich.”

Cr Harding said earlier this month the city will hold a ticker tape parade for Ms Barty when she returns home in November.

She will be given a second key to the city after already being awarded one in 2017.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk amended the memorial and monument proposal framework earlier this year.

“This will ensure submissions for proposed monuments or memorials on state government land will need to include a response advising consideration of inclusion and diversity principles,” Ms Fentiman said.

“By doing all we can to increase the representation of real women and girls in memorials and monuments in Queensland, we are continuing to make a positive difference to the lives of women and girls in Queensland, such as Malia.”

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.