Cirrus@Austlit

'Hannah Maclurcan was a businesswoman and hotelier who created Australia's first luxury hotel, the Wentworth. Her famous 'Mrs. Maclurcan's cookery book: a collection of practical recipes specially suitable for Australia' ran to 20 editions.' 

'Lilian Cooper was the first female doctor registered in Queensland. She was deco-rated with the Order of Saint Sava by the King of Serbia for her work on the front lines in World War One. '

'Sister Kenny pioneered an effective treatment for polio (infantile paralysis) but fought a life-long battle to have it accepted by the medical profession. '
 

'Nell Malone saw service in Serbia and Salonika in World War One. She became governess and protector to the orphaned daughter of silent screen star Max Linder. '
 

'Pioneer anthropologist and public intellectual, Ursula McConnel made extensive field trips to Cape York, living with, and recording the lives of, the Wik people.'
 

'Australia's first female aircraft ground engineer, May Bradford was also a pilot with her own air charter business. Her life was tragically cut short in 1937. '
 

'Nell Tritton was a journalist, writer and translator, as well as being a celebrated beauty. She played a part in international politics and intrigue in Europe between the two World Wars. '
 

'Always a consummate social climber and something of a chameleon, Florence Broadhurst began as a singer and dancer with an international touring group. Her career as an artist reached its apotheosis with the design and manufacture of the most exquisite and sought after wall papers. She was brutally murdered in 1977.'  
 

'Bush Nurse, Sister Lucy Hawkes ran an isolated medical outpost in Queensland's far northwest where she created her own lending library to sustain the people of that remote area. ' 
 

'Edna Zigenbine was a legendary drover and stockwoman who made many epic drov-ing trips across Australia's Top End. She was immortalised by Slim Dusty in his famous song, 'Give my regards to Edna.'  
 

'Toots' Holzheimer was a woman truckie whose mail and freight run stretched from Cairns to Weipa.'

'Pharmacist, businesswoman and academic, Rhonda White AO built a pharmacy brand which today has a turnover in excess of $ 2bn. annually. '
 

'Annie O'Connor swapped the Swinging Sixties scene in London for life as a successful lawyer in Brisbane.'  
 

'Internationally recognised artist, Gleny Kohnke also lived with the tribespeople of PNG, recording and painting their legends. '
 

'A working scientist, Mary O'Brien is now a mental health advocate for rural men. '

'Nyakuoy Yak fled war-torn Sudan and spent years in refugee camps, eventually finding a new life in Toowoomba. She is now pursuing a career on the frontiers of brain research at Queensland Brain Institute.'