Latest news with #EdithCowan
Perth Now
a day ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
New public artwork revealed
A new addition to St George's Terrace was revealed yesterday, in another art coup for The City of Perth. A bronze statue of the first woman elected to Western Australia's parliament, Edith Cowan, was unveiled out the front of ANZAC House's Karrakata Club in a fitting tribute to her contribution to women's rights in Western Australia. Deputy Lord Major Bruce Reynolds said Cowan helped shape the course of the nation. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'The Edith Cowan statue now sits at the heart of our City, and I hope it inspires people of all ages to learn more about her remarkable life and the legacy she left behind,' he said. As the founding secretary of the Karrakatta Club, Cowan was instrumental in helping women understand the social issues of the day and give them confidence to have their opinions and needs heard - a radical idea at the time. She also formed the Soldiers Welcome Institute that later became the RSL to assist with the hardships that wounded veterans faced upon their return from war. The statue was gifted to the City of Perth by former councillor Sandy Anghie and her husband, Michael and was created by artists from Smith Sculptors. In an Instagram post the architect and co-founder of Perth Design Week wrote, 'it was an honour for Mike and I to dedicate the statue of Edith Dircksey Cowan yesterday, enabling city visitors to enjoy the beautiful artwork... and to prompt us to celebrate Edith Cowan's incredible story for generations to come. She led the way for many.' It comes after the City of Perth was gifted a piece by internationally acclaimed artist Brendan Murphy 'The Boonji Spaceman' that has a temporary home out the front of Council House in Stirling Gardens.
The Age
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
St Georges Terrace gets its first statue of a woman
A statue of the first female parliamentarian in Australian, Edith Cowan, has been unveiled along St Georges Terrace in Perth's CBD – bringing to fruition the vision of former councillor and deputy mayor Sandy Anghie. Anghie's campaign began in August 2021 when she posted her views on the absence of statues of women in Perth on social media, and put a notice of motion to council seeking to address the issue. In March 2022, intending to start a fundraising campaign for a statue of a woman on St Georges Terrace, Anghie contacted then-president of the Karrakatta Club Lesley Williams, who made Anghie aware of an existing proposal for a statue of Edith Cowan by the Studio of Smith Sculptors. It was then Anghie committed to commissioning and funding the statue herself, and hired sculptors Charles Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith to create it. The statue received approval from the City of Perth in October 2022. Loading 'When you look around our city, it's clear more needs to be done to publicly recognise the significant achievements of Western Australian women,' Anghie said. 'There are so many remarkable women who have helped shape our great state and yet the vast majority of artworks commemorate only men. 'The powerful and majestic statue honouring Edith Cowan will stand proudly in the heart of our city.' At the statue's unveiling on Thursday afternoon, WA Governor Chris Dawson said there was no doubt Cowan was one of the greatest leaders in the state and the country, and the statue was 'a wonderful addition to our city'.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
St Georges Terrace gets its first statue of a woman
A statue of the first female parliamentarian in Australian, Edith Cowan, has been unveiled along St Georges Terrace in Perth's CBD – bringing to fruition the vision of former councillor and deputy mayor Sandy Anghie. Anghie's campaign began in August 2021 when she posted her views on the absence of statues of women in Perth on social media, and put a notice of motion to council seeking to address the issue. In March 2022, intending to start a fundraising campaign for a statue of a woman on St Georges Terrace, Anghie contacted then-president of the Karrakatta Club Lesley Williams, who made Anghie aware of an existing proposal for a statue of Edith Cowan by the Studio of Smith Sculptors. It was then Anghie committed to commissioning and funding the statue herself, and hired sculptors Charles Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith to create it. The statue received approval from the City of Perth in October 2022. Loading 'When you look around our city, it's clear more needs to be done to publicly recognise the significant achievements of Western Australian women,' Anghie said. 'There are so many remarkable women who have helped shape our great state and yet the vast majority of artworks commemorate only men. 'The powerful and majestic statue honouring Edith Cowan will stand proudly in the heart of our city.' At the statue's unveiling on Thursday afternoon, WA Governor Chris Dawson said there was no doubt Cowan was one of the greatest leaders in the state and the country, and the statue was 'a wonderful addition to our city'.
