How many stars are there on the

Federal funding helps finance ground breaking exhibition on female pioneers

“We wanted to tell the story about female pioneers in South Australia specifically. We wanted to show how active they have been in making the State what it is.”

That is the motivation, according to Millicent National Trust Museum secretary Chris Parmenter, to putting together the Women on Horseback, an exhibition earmarked for History Month, this coming May.

As a volunteer run museum, income has been a huge issue for the facility over the past two years.

“Our only income is through the people through the door,” Mr Parmenter said. “We have lost a lot of income.”

And that’s where the chance to apply for a Federal Government Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism (CHART) program grant proved to be a lifeline for the organisation that has been planning the Women on Horseback exhibition since last year.

The museum has garnered $2,649 from the $3million funding pool to help put the landmark exhibition together.

“The funding from the CHART program will assist Millicent National Trust Museum to develop an exhibition showcasing side saddles, Victorian riding habits and various accoutrements that relate to the history of women on horseback.” Mr Pasin said. “With the Morrison Government’s support, we are helping rebuild our local economy through the development of collections or exhibits, improved facilities for visitors, and the digitisation of local heritage collections for future generations to enjoy.”

“I encourage communityrun arts, cultural and heritage organisations in Barker to apply for a CHART program grant today – this will assist us to continue offering appealing cultural tourism experiences in our regional communities.”

Mr Parmenter is also awaiting news on other grants as the museum, which is already the home of the State’s horse drawn vehicle collection, bringing more equestrian history to life and telling a largely under the radar story.

“The original women from England had to relearn to ride horses, changing from side saddle to astride,” Mr Parmenter said. “The story of Daisy Bates (pictured above with the Duke of Gloucester) who took a whole her of cattle to her station in the outback and to share the stories of when the men went to the gold rush and the women had to learn to drove around their own properties and the same when the me went to war. It is a long history and tradition.”

The museum has made contact with a lady in the Adelaide Hills who has a vast side saddle collection and working in conjunction with the Side Saddle Association of South Australia, one of the oldest of its type in the world, and horse drawn vehicles historian Peter Foster, who has literally written the book on Australia’s history with horses as working animals.

“This CHART grant will enable us not only to get on the road to financial recovery, but it helps fund the unique and powerful story of women on horseback in the State,” Mr Parmenter said. “From Jillaroos stepping up during the War, to pioneer women like Daisy Bates driving their cattle to remote properties, from ladies elegantly riding side saddle to the women who follow the rodeo circuit. This will be a chance to see never before exhibited saddles, clothing, photographs and paraphernalia associated with the women who ride proudly through our history.”

Mr Parmenter is busy sewing up some costumes to form part of the exhibition, which will be housed mainly in the Visitor Information Centre gallery, as well as spilling into the museum.

The VIC gallery part of the exhibition will be free with organisers looking to officially unveil the Women on Horseback exhibition on April 30 before opening to the public for the month of May, which is History Month in South Australia.

“On behalf of the Millicent National Trust Museum, we are grateful for any support that helps us keep doing what we do well and bring history into the present for the future,” Mr Parmenter said.

The museum is currently working hard towards a Murder in the Museum night set down for the beginning of April but will then power towards making the Women on Horseback a reality, including organising the transportation of the Adelaide Hills memorabilia to the

“...to share the stories of when the men went to the gold rush and the women had to learn to drove around their own properties and the same when the me went to war...it is a long history and tradition...” Chris Parmenter (Millicent National Trust Museum secretary)

Millicent site.

The exhibition, similarly to when the museum acquired its large costume collection, is also about providing more exhibits that focus on women and are of interest to women.

Mr Pasin said more than $135,000 in grants would flow to 50 organisations across the country to support activities that encourage cultural tourism in regional, rural and remote Australia.

“These grants will support the reactivation and ongoing sustainability of these successful applicants, with each playing an integral role in telling the stories of their local communities and preserving Australia’s cultural heritage,” Mr Pasin said.

“This first batch of grants marks an important milestone in the benefits that CHART will provide to regional communities, including the promotion of regional arts tourism across Australia, which in turn will enhance arts access and increase local expenditure.”

Applications are open until April 29, or until allocated funding is expended.

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