Bendigo local, women’s cricket trailblazer and primary school teacher, Barbara Rae, is set to be immortalised in bronze after City of Greater Bendigo Council’s entry in the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program was selected by the Victorian Government.
Minister for Women, Natalie Hutchins, said the statue will have a permanent home in Bendigo – the home of the first women’s cricket match to be held in Australia in 1874 between the ‘Blues’ and ‘Reds’ at the Easter Fair.
“Barbara Rae was a trailblazer in her time, and I can think of no better place than Bendigo – the birthplace of women’s cricket – to immortalise her in bronze to recognise her achievements and legacy in women’s sport,” said Ms Hutchins.
The winning captain and top scorer of the ‘Blues team’ at just 19 years old, Barbara Rae broke ground in the sport at a time when women required permission to play what was considered a ‘male only’ game.
Playing a significant role in organising the match, she recruited other women to join the teams and ran coaching sessions at local cricket grounds.
In March last year, Bendigo celebrated the 150th anniversary of the match with a commemorative T20 game between Bendigo and Ballarat on Good Friday.
“This is fantastic news for Greater Bendigo and a wonderful way to honour Barbara Rae who played a pivotal role in the evolution of women’s cricket despite facing much hostility and discrimination,” said City of Greater Bendigo Mayor, Andrea Metcalf.
The sculpture of Barbara Rae is the first of six successful projects set to be made permanent as part of the public art program, honouring the legacies of those who have forged a path for all Victorian women – reflecting diversity, and highlighting leadership, excellence and service to the community across a range of fields.
“Women’s achievements deserve to be seen and celebrated in our public spaces and this sculpture of Barbara Rae will honour her legacy and inspire generations to come,” said Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan.
The program aims to address the under-representation of women in public art and women artists, as well as address gendered stereotypes about women’s achievements.
More than 10,000 votes were sent in by Victorians across the state, with the $1.2 million Labor Government program supported by the expertise of McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery.
