Stories of Australian Women
WomanGoingPlaces interviews women 50+ and hears remarkable stories about their careers, accomplishments and experiences. We also ask them, as Australian women, what are their 5 favourite places to visit in Australia.
Patricia McPherson (Part 4) – A Pioneering Life
By 1972, Patricia McPherson had finished a decade of work in the Kimberley region of Western Australia,first as a sister at the AIM Hospital Fitzroy Crossing, and then as the pioneer of itinerant nursing in the Aboriginal camps.
Her Kimberley experiences had left her with two life-changing consequences.
One was her realisation that she wanted to dedicate her professional life to community health.
The second consequence was the meeting between Sister Pat, a legend of a nurse, and Luke McCall, the legendary outback stockman. Their lifelong friendship endured across the continent of Australia and across time.
Her Kimberley experiences had left her with two life-changing consequences.
One was her realisation that she wanted to dedicate her professional life to community health.
The second consequence was the meeting between Sister Pat, a legend of a nurse, and Luke McCall, the legendary outback stockman. Their lifelong friendship endured across the continent of Australia and across time.
Sister Pat (Part 3) – Swept Away in the Big Wet
The weather was one of the most formidable challenges Sister Patricia McPherson faced in the Kimberley region of Western Australia when she was a nurse in Fitzroy Crossing. Indeed, the Big Wet of 1966-67 almost took her life. Two seasons dominated the region. The Dry at its zenith, with its dust and searing heat that drained everyone of all energy by mid-morning and reached temperatures so extreme that her thermometer exploded. The Wet, that lasted around three months, flooded and cut off Fitzroy Crossing from all access outgoing and incoming except for the occasional emergency helicopter.
Patricia McPherson (Part 2) – Becoming Sister Pat
In 1966, Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region of Western Australia had the highest Indigenous infant mortality rate in the entire state, as well as a signifiant number of hospital admissions of Indigenous peoples. Patricia McPherson, a young nurse, was tasked with reducing this rate.
Extraordinarily, within 3 years, she succeeded in almost eliminating Indigenous infant mortality in the region.
Pat did this by driving daily out to the Indigenous camps attached to the vast cattle stations and treating people from the tailgate of her car.
Pat pioneered and established the Itinerant Child Care Service in the West Kimberley. It became a template for public health nursing services to other remote areas of Western Australia.
In 1970, Patricia McPherson received the British Empire Medal for her pioneering work in the Fitzroy River region.
Extraordinarily, within 3 years, she succeeded in almost eliminating Indigenous infant mortality in the region.
Pat did this by driving daily out to the Indigenous camps attached to the vast cattle stations and treating people from the tailgate of her car.
Pat pioneered and established the Itinerant Child Care Service in the West Kimberley. It became a template for public health nursing services to other remote areas of Western Australia.
In 1970, Patricia McPherson received the British Empire Medal for her pioneering work in the Fitzroy River region.
Patricia McPherson (Part 1) – ‘Sister Pat’ A Legend Of A Nurse
In 1963, 25 year-old nurse, Patricia McPherson, crossed Australia’s vast continent from her home in pastoral Gippsland in Victoria to arrive at Fitzroy Crossing, a tiny remote settlement in the centre of Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley region.
Nurse McPherson became ‘Sister Pat’, a legend of a nurse who pioneered itinerant nursing and transformed the delivery of health services to a vast region of Australia’s outback, and set the template for public health nursing that was adopted statewide.
Pat McPherson’s story is one of exceptional service and far-reaching achievements.
But it’s also a story of great adventure. It is a remarkable Australian story.
Nurse McPherson became ‘Sister Pat’, a legend of a nurse who pioneered itinerant nursing and transformed the delivery of health services to a vast region of Australia’s outback, and set the template for public health nursing that was adopted statewide.
Pat McPherson’s story is one of exceptional service and far-reaching achievements.
But it’s also a story of great adventure. It is a remarkable Australian story.
WomanGoingPlaces interviews Professor Kim Rubenstein
Professor Kim Rubenstein has become a popular guest on programs such as Q&A because she clearly articulates how the Australian Constitution impacts on the most important issues we face as a nation and as individuals. So when she announced in August the she had formed her own political party, Kim For Canberra, and would run for the Senate, her candidacy was welcomed by many.
WomanGoingPlaces has a special interest in spotlighting the stories of Australian women aged 50+ and so we interviewed Professor Rubenstein recently on her candidacy, goals and vision.
WomanGoingPlaces has a special interest in spotlighting the stories of Australian women aged 50+ and so we interviewed Professor Rubenstein recently on her candidacy, goals and vision.
Michelle Garnaut – My Top 5 Places in Australia
For centuries, empires, governments and global companies have vied with each other in displays of wealth, grandeur and power along the Bund in Shanghai. For close to a quarter of a century, one Australian woman has maintained her position on the Bund with no power other than the power of her reputation.
Michelle Garnaut, CEO of the M Restaurant Group, has established restaurants and lounges that have pioneered independent fine dining in both China and Hong Kong.
Michelle Garnaut, CEO of the M Restaurant Group, has established restaurants and lounges that have pioneered independent fine dining in both China and Hong Kong.
Rosie Batty AO – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Rosie Batty made Australia listen.
Her son, Luke aged 11, was with his father playing cricket in the park when his father walked over to him and killed him.
In expressing her personal grief, Rosie compelled us to see that family violence was our business. She made us see that the plight of thousands of women and children could one day be our plight, or that of someone close to us.
Her son, Luke aged 11, was with his father playing cricket in the park when his father walked over to him and killed him.
In expressing her personal grief, Rosie compelled us to see that family violence was our business. She made us see that the plight of thousands of women and children could one day be our plight, or that of someone close to us.
Maureen Wheeler – My Top 5 Places In Australia
Maureen Wheeler AO is a pioneer of landmark enterprises in both travel and in the cultural life of Melbourne.
She was the co-founder, with her husband Tony, of Lonely Planet books - guides as indispensable to travellers as their backpacks or suitcases.
Maureen was also the co-founder of the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne. This centre for books, writing and ideas played a critical role in Melbourne achieving its status as a UNESCO designated City of Literature.
She was the co-founder, with her husband Tony, of Lonely Planet books - guides as indispensable to travellers as their backpacks or suitcases.
Maureen was also the co-founder of the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne. This centre for books, writing and ideas played a critical role in Melbourne achieving its status as a UNESCO designated City of Literature.
Fabian Dattner – My Top 5 Places in Australia
" You have to have a beard to be a leader in Antarctica." It was this statement that sparked the indignation and the imagination of Fabian Dattner and led to an unprecedented expedition of 75 women scientists to Antarctica.
Maestro Simone Young – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Maestro Simone Young AM is one of the world’s great opera and concert orchestra conductors. She has been called a ‘superconductor’, a conductor whose elegance and power, strength and sensitivity on the podium inspire her orchestra. She is a highly esteemed interpreter of the works of Wagner and Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner and Brahms, as well as those of contemporary composers.
Polixeni Papapetrou – My Top 5 Places in Australia
When photographic artist Polixeni Papapetrou chose her 5 favourite places to visit in Australia, they were not just travel destinations. They were landscapes that captured her imagination and inspired her to transform them into her art. Dramatically beautiful, they are insightful and unsettling works.
Professor Marcia Langton AO – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Professor Marcia Langton AM is an anthropologist and geographer and holds the Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne. She is a strong Indigenous leader with an unwavering commitment to achieve justice for her people.
Janette Jeffrey – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Janette Jeffrey has broken 7 World Records as a Masters Swimmer from 2015 -2016.
She also holds 9 National records in freestyle and breaststroke in her age group 65-69 years. That's just in the swimming pool.
In ocean swims she was the female wInner of the Cousins Travel Open Water 'Ocean' swim series 2016/17 in 60-69 age group. She has won her age group of the prestigious Lorne Pier to Pub race nine times.
But her picture made no front pages, and you have probably never heard of her.
If young sportswomen have great difficulty getting any coverage in mainstream media, it is almost impossible for older women competing in Masters events to do so.
She also holds 9 National records in freestyle and breaststroke in her age group 65-69 years. That's just in the swimming pool.
In ocean swims she was the female wInner of the Cousins Travel Open Water 'Ocean' swim series 2016/17 in 60-69 age group. She has won her age group of the prestigious Lorne Pier to Pub race nine times.
But her picture made no front pages, and you have probably never heard of her.
If young sportswomen have great difficulty getting any coverage in mainstream media, it is almost impossible for older women competing in Masters events to do so.
Professor Gillian Triggs – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Gillian Triggs, Chair of Justice Connect, won enormous respect for her courage and fortitude in defence of human rights in her previous position as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. This despite being subjected to unprecedented attacks and pressure from government ministers and their representatives.
Professor Triggs was catapulted into national headlines when she released a report on children in immigration detention. Tony Abbott, the then Prime Minister, Attorney-General George Brandis, and the then Immigration Minister Scott Morrison declared that the report was biased, that they had lost confidence in her and that she should resign.
Professor Triggs was catapulted into national headlines when she released a report on children in immigration detention. Tony Abbott, the then Prime Minister, Attorney-General George Brandis, and the then Immigration Minister Scott Morrison declared that the report was biased, that they had lost confidence in her and that she should resign.
Anne Summers – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Anne Summers AO can be described as someone who is always in the vanguard as a feminist, journalist, author, editor and publisher.
Now that the issue of domestic violence is on the national agenda, we recall that 41 years ago, Anne Summers lead the charge into an abandoned building in Sydney and co-founded Elsie, the first women’s refuge in Australia.
Now that the issue of domestic violence is on the national agenda, we recall that 41 years ago, Anne Summers lead the charge into an abandoned building in Sydney and co-founded Elsie, the first women’s refuge in Australia.
Renata Singer – My Top 5 Places in Australia
“ There are no signposts for women as they get older, “ says Renata Singer, author of the newly published book ‘Older and Bolder Life after 60 ’.
Throughout their lives, women have followed all the usual signposts - going to school, university, entering a profession, having a job, getting married, having children, often going back to work. But when they hit their 60s, this generation of women enters unknown territory. Retirement, isolation, and babysitting the grandchildren, are not attractive signposts for them.
Throughout their lives, women have followed all the usual signposts - going to school, university, entering a profession, having a job, getting married, having children, often going back to work. But when they hit their 60s, this generation of women enters unknown territory. Retirement, isolation, and babysitting the grandchildren, are not attractive signposts for them.
Kathy Lette – My Top 5 Places In Australia
Kathy Lette epitomizes smart and sassy. Her razor sharp wit…
Layne Beachley – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Layne Beachley was awarded the Order of Australia in 2015 and…
Olivia Newton-John – My Top 5 Places in Australia
We mourn the passing of Olivia. She was a personal friend. She…
Anna Goldsworthy – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Anna Goldsworthy is an acclaimed solo pianist, memoirist, playwright, and librettist.
She has performed widely, particularly at festivals in Australia and throughout the world. As a chamber player, she is a founding member of the celebrated Seraphim Trio.
Her two memoirs, 'Piano Lessons' and 'Welcome to your New Life', have been widely acclaimed.
She has performed widely, particularly at festivals in Australia and throughout the world. As a chamber player, she is a founding member of the celebrated Seraphim Trio.
Her two memoirs, 'Piano Lessons' and 'Welcome to your New Life', have been widely acclaimed.
Di Morrissey – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Di Morrissey is one of Australia’s most successful writers. She has written 23 best-selling novels and 2 children’s books. Each of her novels is anchored in a particular place that inspires her writing.
Maggie Beer – My Top 5 Places in Australia
Maggie Beer is an outstanding figure on the Australian culinary scene and was recognised on a postage stamp of Australia Post Australian Legends. She is known for her beautiful and accessible cooking using fresh, seasonal produce sourced locally.
Tracey Spicer – My Top 5 Places in Australia
When Tracey Spicer issued a call in October 2017 on Twitter for people to contact her if they had been subjected to workplace harassment and assault, she was astonished by the response.
More than 1,500 people contacted her with their #MeToo stories. Tracey then in 2018 spearheaded the establishment of Now Australia with the aim of raising funds to provide counselling and legal support to victims of workplace abuse.
More than 1,500 people contacted her with their #MeToo stories. Tracey then in 2018 spearheaded the establishment of Now Australia with the aim of raising funds to provide counselling and legal support to victims of workplace abuse.
