DAUGHTERS OF MELBOURNE:
A Guide to the Invisible statues of Melbourne

A unique history of Melbourne told through the lives of 50 women who built the culture, commerce and community of the city. Presented in a unique collection of life stories paired with stunning portrait illustrations of each subject.

Melba put the city on the map and set it buzzing on the tongues of princes. Louisa fought for her lands and people like a warrior. Germaine rewrote the rules of gender politics for the world. Vida won the vote, Lillian created a fashion mecca at the ‘Paris End of Collins’. Gail won no less that ten Bells titles. Yet no statues to these maverick Melbourne women exist in our streets. Each has contributed in an immeasurable way to the culture, community and commerce of this city. Most have been deliberately overlooked by a male establishment whose interests simply do not include the endeavours of women. Most all have been pillioried as ‘difficult women’. All have been denied a public memorial statue. And so it is that women have been written out of history.

At last! A TRUER History of Melbourne... ...With Added Women for extra strength!

Meet the daughters of Melbourne. The rich gals; the poor gals; the gorgeous gay gals—And the gals who’d rather paint. Meet Aboriginal warriors who don’t care for compromise. Meet divas dubbed ‘difficult’, while their men are never so. Find out which Ultra-Modern Melbourne man accused Nellie Melba of penis envy? Who discredited more women artists than he had hot breakfasts? Did Effie truly deliver an immaculate conception? Who wrote Gail Couper out of surfing history? How did Panda cover for Gray-Gray? Who asked if Lincoln was impotent/Churchill flatulent/ Napoleon constipated? Who declared Magda unfunny? Which woman seduced Chrissy Amphlett into the spotlight? Why did Stella Young enlist a murderer to her cause? Which French lover inspired Mirka’s trip to Melbourne? Which woman paid for Melbourne’s hospitals, art galleries and gardens? Who suggested castration of rapists in 1884? Who tricked the media with a miniskirt? Which all-girl band was the swingin’est? Who is Melbourne’s Wizard of Oz? Who put fairies at the bottom of Melbourne’s garden? Who was forced to paint on Corn Flake boxes? Which politician was filmed in leathers?...And which celebrated Australian men called them all unladylike, unfeminine and unworthy?

Discover the real history of Melbourne through the lives of the fabulous women who built the city, its culture, community and commerce. Every one is a giant. Most were labelled ‘difficult’. All have been denied a statue. Why? Find out in ‘Daughters Of Melbourne: A guide to the invisible statues of Melbourne.’