Editor's note

When Flos Greig walked into her first law school class at the University of Melbourne in 1897, it was illegal for women to become lawyers. But this didn’t stop her graduating second in her class. She petitioned for women to be allowed to enter the legal profession, and the law became known as the Flos Greig Enabling Bill.

At her swearing in assembly, when a reporter asked about her clothing choice she offered a refrain that didn’t reach Hollywood until the 21st Century: “"What did I wear? Don’t ask me!”

Here, Renee Knake writes about the pioneering life of this hidden woman of history.

Alexandra Hansen

Chief of Staff

Top story

Grata Flos Greig, First Female Law Graduate, c1904, University of Melbourne. Flos was the first woman admitted to the Australian legal profession. University of Melbourne Archives, UMA/I/5131

Hidden women of history: Flos Greig, Australia’s first female lawyer and early innovator

Renee Knake, RMIT University

When Flos Greig first entered law school, it was illegal for women to become lawyers. Undeterred, she lobbied for change and became the first woman admitted to the legal profession in Australia.

Pat Larter (England; Australia, b.1936, d.1996) Pat’s anger 1992. acrylic and mixed media on board, 91 x 60.5 cm; 92.5 x 62 cm. Art Gallery of New South Wales, Gift of Frank Watters 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program © Estate of Pat Larter. Photo: AGNSW 32.2018

Hidden women of history: Pat Larter, pioneering ‘femail’ artist who gave men the Playboy treatment

Joanna Mendelssohn, University of Melbourne

Best known as the subject of her husband Richard's work, Pat Larter was herself a major artist.

Legendary Australian food writer Margaret Fulton, pictured here at the launch of a stamp collection featuring her in 2014, has died aged 94. Dean Lewins/AAP

Vale Margaret Fulton: a role model for generations of Australian food writers

Donna Lee Brien, CQUniversity Australia

Margaret Fulton built a long-lasting career on the provision of sound, trustworthy cookery advice.

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Environment + Energy

Cities

  • What can our cities do about sprawl, congestion and pollution? Tip: scrap car parking

    Neil Sipe, The University of Queensland; Anthony Kimpton, The University of Queensland; Dorina Pojani, The University of Queensland

    The global trend is to free up valuable city space by reducing parking and promoting other forms of transport that don't clog roads and pollute the air. Australian cities are still putting cars first.

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