‘Green lady’ pedestrian signal switched on in Richmond to pay tribute to Mary Rogers

MELBOURNE’S first ‘green lady’ pedestrian crossing has been turned on in Richmond as part of a $250,000 intersection upgrade.

The ‘green lady’ has been switched on in Richmond. Picture: David Smith.

AUSTRALIA’S first “green lady” has been lit up in Richmond.

The pedestrian signal has been installed at the intersection of Bosisto St and Bridge Rd as part of a $250,000 upgrade to the intersection.

The silhouette pays tribute to Mary Rogers, who was Victoria’s first female councillor, in place of the usual illuminated man.

The signal, which is an initiative between Yarra Council and VicRoads, will be in place for at least 12 months.

Traders celebrate the new pedestrian crossing in Richmond. Picture: David Smith.

The crossing was turned on for the first time today.

An assessment will be undertaken later in the year to determine whether the Mary Rogers signal will remain a permanent feature at the crossing.

The ‘green lady’ is also on the pole.

Mary Rogers was elected to the City of Richmond Council in 1920 and was a councillor for five years, initiating the very first community maternal and child health services in Victoria.

The council passed a motion in March that at new signalised pedestrian crossings, the ‘green and red lady’ be installed in place of the illuminated man, subject to VicRoads approval.

RELATED: Yarra Council passes motion for more ‘green lady’ pedestrian signals to promote gender equality

Greens Cr Misha Coleman said at the time the initiative was a “unique and rare” way to display gender equity.