Historical societies honour pioneering local women
To commemorate International Women’s Day tomorrow, members of the Box Hill and Surrey Hills Historical Societies are honouring the lives of a number of local women who made significant contributions to the communities of Box Hill, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills and beyond.
These include Isabelle Bruce Reid (the first woman to qualify as a veterinarian in Australia), Barbara Stevenson Brake (a chiropractor), Bertha & Arabella Brewer (inventors of Marvello polish), Florence Kerr (milliner), Guilia Tambourini (opera singer), Alice Jackson (jeweller) and Susannah Sarovich (furrier).
Pictured is Miss Florence Kerr in her millinery and haberdashery shop at 141 Union Road, Surrey Hills. The image is courtesy of the Surrey Hills Historical Society.
The historical societies are conducting a guided tour of Box Hill cemetery to visit the graves and memorials of these and other pioneering local women. Places on the guided tour are still available.
When: Tuesday 8 March, 2-4 pm
Cost: $15.00 per person and includes light refreshments at the end of the tour. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.
Bookings: Phone Philip Widemer on 0403 419 522 or email the Box Hill Historical Society at boxhillhistory@gmail.com or, contact the Surrey Hills Historical Society at sba56183@bigpond.net.au or on 0417 368 990.