Women's Museum of Australia facts for kids

The Women's Museum of Australia is a special place in Alice Springs, Australia. It used to be called the National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame. This museum teaches us about the important role women have played in Australian history. You can find it inside the old HM Gaol and Labour Prison building, which has been carefully restored.

History of the Museum

How the Museum Started

The museum was created in 1993 by Molly Clark. She lived on a cattle station called Old Andado. The museum first opened its doors in September 1994. It was located in the town's Old Courthouse building. The museum used this building for five years.

Moving to a New Home

By 2001, the museum needed more space. The Old Alice Springs Gaol was offered as a new home. This old jail is a very important building. It is listed as a heritage site in the Northern Territory. In 2007, the museum officially opened in its new location. Marion Scrymgour opened it. She was the Minister for Women's Policy. She was also the first Indigenous Australian woman elected to the Parliament of the Northern Territory.

New Name and Future Plans

In 2019, the museum changed its name. It went from the National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame to the Women's Museum of Australia. In 2020, work began to improve the car park. New plans were also made for future exhibitions.

What You Can See at the Museum

Location and Purpose

The museum is located in the HM Gaol and Labour Prison building in Alice Springs. The main goal of the museum is to celebrate women's achievements throughout history. It especially focuses on how women helped Australia grow and develop. The museum honors "any woman who is a pioneer in her chosen field." This includes women from the earliest settlements to today.

Exhibitions to Explore

The museum has several permanent exhibitions. These are displays that are always there for visitors to see.

• Ordinary Women/ Extraordinary Lives - Women First in Their Field: This exhibit shows women who were the first to do something important in their area.
• Signature Quilt: This is a special quilt with many signatures.
• Women at the Heart: This display focuses on women from Central Australia.
• What's Work Worth: This exhibition explores the value of women's work.
• Aviatrix Tapestry: This tapestry celebrates women who were pilots.

Museum Patrons

The museum has two special patrons. Patrons are people who support an organization.

• Dame Quentin Bryce: She used to be the Governor-General of Australia. This is a very important role, like a representative of the King or Queen.
• Gaby Kennard: She was the first Australian woman to fly solo around the world. She completed this amazing journey in 1989.

See also

In Spanish: Museo de las Mujeres de Australia para niños