NSW parliament honours female ‘trailblazers’ with banners for Sydney Vivid Festival
FOR the first time in the building’s 200 year history, NSW parliament will hang massive banners of female ‘trailblazers’ to mark 100 years of women’s suffrage.
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THE faces of female “trailblazers” will hang from the walls of NSW parliament for the first time in the building’s 200-year history.
Among the 25 images that will look out on Macquarie Street are a range of women from the first female parliamentarian, Millicent Preston Stanley, to “modern-day trailblazers Kristina Keneally ... and Gladys Berejiklian”.
Installed by jailed powerbroker Eddie Obeid, Ms Keneally served as premier from 2009-11 before she led the Labor government to a crushing defeat.
The photo display marks a centenary of women’s suffrage since the passing of the Women’s Legal Status Act 1918.
It also coincides with the launch of the Vivid Festival, which will light up parliament in the traditional suffragist colours of green and purple.
Community champions including Mary Quirk, Gertrude Melville and Elisabeth Kirkby will also be featured as well as former Labor member Carmel Tebbutt and Legislative Assembly Speaker Shelley Hancock.
Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Thomas George hinted the display was long overdue, saying: “It’s about time that as our state’s oldest political institution we recognise the unparalleled and lasting contribution women have made in NSW as leaders, community advocates and campaigners.”
Thirty-six of the 135 members currently in the upper and lower house are women.
Parliament’s Vivid Women will be on display from May 25 to June 16.
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