What began as a simple exercise on the Central Coast has grown into a major exhibition featuring female veterans, now on show at the Anzac memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney.
The exhibition, HERstory, honours the women’s service and contribution to Australia’s military history.
Women have long played a significant role in Australian military service, from serving as nurses in the Boer War to the formation of the women’s auxiliary forces during the Second World War and their current roles on the front lines.
However their roles have remained untold.
That has changed with this exhibition.
The HERstory exhibition is artist Carla Edwards’ personal thank you to the women who have served in the Australian Defence Force.
Edwards grew up in Australia but in a European-focused house with English as her second language.
Her parents largely socialised with other Dutch and German post-war immigrants, so her early understanding of the Second World War centred on the conflicts in the Netherlands, Dutch East Indies and Germany.
In time, she came to learn more about Australia’s own military tradition but realised she was only hearing about the men who had served.
HERstory: Remembering Australia’s Military Women is Edwards’ attempt to help lessen this disparity.
She started the project in 2022 with a request to photograph seven ex-servicewomen on the Central Coast.
The overwhelmingly positive response to this initiative prompted her to broaden the reach.
Fourteen months later, Edwards has now driven 20,000km and interviewed and photographed 93 women across five states and one territory.
The exhibition features the photos and digital stories of 24 NSW women whose military service spans from 1942 up to the present day.
Nine of them are from the Central Coast: Judith Walker; Rhonda Whiteman; Kim Brown; Tracey Molloy; Elissa Clyne; Irene (Joy) Harvey; Patsy Edwards; Melinda Dagg; and Veronica Cameron.
The women served in the Air Force, Army and Navy as well as the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service, Australian Women’s Army Service, Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force, Women’s Royal Australian Air Force, Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps and the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service.
Minister for Veterans and Member for Wyong David Harris said women had played an important role assisting in the defence of our country for more than a century.
“(This began) in 1899 when the NSW Army Nursing Service Reserve was formed and this new exhibition will focus on their contribution for the first time,” he said.
“Women have provided invaluable services as nurses and as part of the Volunteer Aid Detachments during and after the Great War, followed by the formation of additional women’s specific services during the Second World War.
“Women continue to make an important contribution to the defence of our nation, making up more than 20 per cent of the current serving defence force personnel.
“This focus and this exhibition will ensure their stories and contribution are shared in the future.
“Thank you to Carla Edwards for her time and energy to bring this exhibition together and allowing us to honour the service of these 24 female veterans from NSW.”
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the women featured led the way for all women who were now proudly serving our country and forging rewarding careers in the military.
Edwards said while most women felt vulnerable in front of a camera, she had managed to break down barriers.
“We’ve had golden, and even fun moments, creating what you see and read,” she said.
“But their relief is real, that someone is interested in hearing and recording their experiences.
“This exhibition at the Anzac Memorial, funded by NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, is just the beginning.
“I give thanks for the women’s trust and openness to do what I love doing – being a conduit for others to have a voice.”
The exhibition is open until April 1.
For more information go to https://www.anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/event/herstory-remembering-australias-military-women