Tasmanian women with a story to tell Celebrating Women Who

CELEBRATING women’s stories is a powerful recognition of achievement and an inspiration to young women.

The Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women was established in 2005 by the Tasmanian Government to honour Tasmanian women who have made an outstanding contribution to the state.

The Honour Roll celebrates women’s historical and contemporary contributions to Tasmania, ensuring these achievements are not forgotten in the passage of time.

The women inducted onto the Honour Roll have contributed to their communities through art, science, politics, social activism, community service, and education.

One such woman was Harriet (Lily) Poulett-Harris, who achieved much in a short life.

Harriet Lily Poulett-Harris, known as Lily, is the founder of women’s cricket in Australia and connected women of all ages and backgrounds in the sporting arena.

In 1894, at the age of 20, Lily formed the Oyster Cove Ladies’ Cricket Club, believed to be the first women’s cricket club in the colonies. She captained the Oyster Cove team in the first-ever ladies competition cricket matches against North Bruny.

By late 1894 the women’s cricket league had grown to include two teams from Hobart, with Huonville, Ranelagh and Green Ponds joining soon after.

Lily taught at her father Richard Poulett-Harris’ school, The Cliffs at Peppermint Bay, and later at her sister Eleanor’s school, Ladies Grammar, at 26 Davey Street.

Lily played violin and piano, was proficient in musical accompaniment and played at Saint Simon and Saint Jude Anglican Church at Woodbridge and at All Saints Church in South Hobart.

Lily was fondly regarded by students and teachers who erected plaques in her honour at both churches.

Lily died from tuberculosis peritonitis at the age of 23.

While Lily died young, her legacy endures. On 23 March

2016, ‘The Daily Telegraph’ reported:

“Much of the success of women’s teams today can be traced to the determination of pioneering cricketers like Lily Poulett-Harris, who formed one of the first women’s teams in Australia and was responsible for inspiring many other women to take up the sport”.

The Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women contains many such stories - stories of women who were adventurous, passionate, caring and fearless.

More information is available at www.women.tas. gov.au

Tell Our Stories

The Tasmanian Government supports, empowers, and celebrates Tasmanian women. We’ve been telling women’s stories, recognising their achievements, and celebrating their success for many years.

At women.tas.gov.au you can read the stories of innovative leaders; creative thinkers and those who connect communities. Read the stories of women on the Register of Signi cant Tasmanian Women, and the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women

You can read Equal means Equal: Tasmanian Women’s Strategy 2022-2027

It’s our Strategy that will support Tasmanian women to have more powerful stories to tell.