A Giant Leap: The 1891 Women's Suffrage Petition in Victoria
Women's Suffrage Demand - The Gargantuan Petition
Victoria, Australia witnessed a monumental event in 1891 with the submission of the Women's Suffrage Petition, famously called the "monster petition." This colossal document paved the way for women's right to vote and stand for parliament, setting precedence globally.
In a nation first, Australian women claimed the double victory of voting rights and the chance to run for parliament, achieved through federation. Remarkably, this right for women in South Australia was granted due to a political amendment, which had to be extrapolated federally. On the other hand, women in Victoria did not gain the right to vote at a state level until 1908, making them the last of any Australian state. However, the prolonged wait did not signal inactivity, as an active statewide campaign for women's suffrage was underway.
The Gargantuan Petition
Officially measuring 260 meters in length and approximately 200mm wide, this behemoth of a petition bears the signatures of around 30,000 Victorian women. Fabric-backed and stored on a spindle, it takes three individuals three hours to unravel this awe-inspiring symbol of women's empowerment.
Cherished and preserved in the collection of the Public Record Office of Victoria, rolling out this masterpiece is a task requiring multiple attendants. The sight of carrying this petition into the Legislative Assembly left journalists breathless, remarking, "Tier upon tier of bonnets stretched across the chamber, and beneath the bonnets were scores of eager faces, smiling and nodding to members below."
The Surging Tide: A Skirmish for Rights
Witnessing this extended battle for their rights, it's clear that women in Victoria were not passive spectators waiting for the lawmakers to act. In response to Premier James Munro's promise to introduce a women's suffrage bill should ordinary women demand the right to vote, an unrivaled movement for securing women's rights surged forth.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Victorian Women's Suffrage Society served as the hub for this campaign, with sister organizations expanding across the state. Their organized push shaped not only the future of advocacy in Victoria but also women's equity on a broader scale.
An Untold History: Tales from Across the State
The gathering of signatures for the petition was no simple feat, especially when considering the state's relatively fledgling unity at the time. Campaigners, spearheaded by early activists like Vida Goldstein and her mother Isabella, traversed Victoria, galvanizing women from various social backgrounds to participate.
The extensive reach of the petition is truly fascinating, as it leaves an indelible mark on the histories of rural communities. Stories of those who added their signature to the monumental cause can be found in the collection of the PMI Victorian History Library. For instance, consider the captivating lives of Mary Richardson and Ann Brooks, who hailed from Colac and left their indelible marks on pages 90 and 299, respectively.
Mary Richardson: A 58-year-old veteran
Mary Richardson, aged 58, arrived in Victoria from Nottingham, England, in 1858. The family struggled to acclimate to their new home, with their son John passing away just 23 days after their arrival. Faced with the hardships of isolation, they moved to Yeo, near Colac, setting up a broom-making business. Throughout her life, Mary and her husband Seth remained staunch members of the Salvation Army, and Seth even played in the band. Simultaneously participating in the suffrage movement, Mary left an indelible mark on the struggle for women's rights at the age of 58, following her husband's death. Mary passed away in 1924, having been a widow for 24 years.
Ann Brooks: A Gold-digging Survivor
Ann Brooks, born in Bradfield in 1834, made her way to the American goldfields at the tender age of 16. There, she allegedly discovered gold and managed to conceal it within a secret compartment of her suitcase. She then moved to South Australia, tied the knot with 33-year-old Thomas Brooks, and gave birth to their first child in 1851. Thomas and Ann proceeded to settle in Purnim near Warrnambool, establishing a life with their subsequent four children. Tragedy struck when Thomas succumbed to malaria in 1866. Years later, Ann relocated to Colac, having buried one child and her husband. Eventually, when she signed the petition in 1891, Ann was a 57-year-old survivor who had lived through the loss of loved ones and, after years of hardship, stood for the rights of women. Ann died in 1912 at the age of 78.
A Legacy of Ordinary Women
Mary and Ann are but two examples of the countless women who added their signatures to the monster petition. These women—from various social backgrounds and regions—stood together for a common cause. While ultimately unsuccessful in securing the right to vote immediately, the monster petition laid the groundwork for future suffrage initiatives in Victoria, constituting an unprecedented coming together of Victorians in advocacy for themselves.
A lasting testament to this remarkable historical moment can be seen in the sculpture created by artists Susan Hewitt and Penelope Lee in 2008.
Digging Deeper: Are You a Descendant?
Eager to explore your familial connections to the suffrage movement? You can search the Victorian Parliament's database to find out if your foremothers signed the monumental petition!
References
- People who shaped Parliament / Parliament of Victoria
- 1891 Women's Suffrage Petition: World's Largest Petition Of 19th Century Back In Ballarat / Kate Follington, Public Record Office of Victoria
- History of the Women's Suffrage Petition / Parliament of Victoria
- Women's Suffrage Petition - Search / Parliament of Victoria
- Great Petition / Monument Australia
- Pioneers and Suffragists / Merrill O'Donnell and Stephen Brooks
- Documents that shaped Australia: Records of a nation's heritage / John Thompson
Explore Further
- Who was Vida Goldstein?
- Inspirational Quotes from Women Leaders and Activists
- Books about Women & Leadership
- Changing The World: The Women's Political Association
- Essential Elements for Turning a Cause into a Movement: Lessons from the Suffrage Struggle for Today's Activists
- Women's Web - Stories of feminist women and their activism in Melbourne, Victoria
- Minority Voices in Victoria, Australia: A Resource List
Related Resources
Who was Vida Goldstein?
An in-depth dive into the life and impact of Vida Goldstein, a leading suffragist, feminist, and social changemaker in 1900s Australia.
Changing The World: The Women's Political Association
Discover the story of Vida Goldstein & the Women's Political Association through firsthand accounts of speeches and publications.
Essential Elements for Turning a Cause into a Movement: Lessons from the Suffrage Struggle for Today's Activists
Three vital lessons from the women's suffrage movement to help modern activists achieve their goals.
- The active statewide campaign for women's suffrage in Victoria, evident through the monumental 1891 Women's Suffrage Petition, underscores the potential resources that social change movements can harness to inspire activism and drive political change.
- The 1891 Women's Suffrage Petition, apart from being a significant general-news event in Victoria's history, serves as a powerful reminder for ongoing activism and advocacy for women's rights, demonstrating that the pursuit of social change can transcend political boundaries and shape a nation's future.
