Victorian Women Vote 1908 – 2008

Vic Women Vote logo

"2008 marks 100 years since women in Victoria won the right to vote – let’s make it a year to remember" Maxine Morand, Minister for Women’s Affairs.

Knowing our Past, Transforming our Future


In 2008, Victoria celebrated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in Victorian parliamentary elections. This hard earned victory did not include all women, as most Indigenous women did not fully participate until the 1960s.

The Victorian Government developed a range of events and initiatives throughout Victoria to mark the milestone and to celebrate the contribution of all women to our civic and political life. Some of these activities included:

100 ceramics suffragists by artist Ursula Dutkiewicz as part of the Art of Suffrage project funded through Centenary of Women’s Suffrage grant program.Contribute to PROV's Online History - Find out about the Public Record Office of Victoria's new Women's Wiki
Fact Sheets – Read more about the fight for the vote and the benefits it has brought women today
In the Media – Read about the centenary celebrations in the media
Promotional Material - Logos, Pins and Posters

Curriculum resources


As part of the centenary celebrations the Victorian Government developed curriculum materials that were distributed to every school in the state.
The materials not only tell the story of the suffragists but encourage students to engage with history through hands-on research and other learning activities.
The materials are divided into four units, with each unit aimed at a different school level. The units target the following groups:
  • Unit 1 - Middle Primary (Years 3-4)

  • Unit 2 - Upper Primary (Years 5-6)

  • Unit 3 - Lower Secondary (Years 7-8)

  • Unit 4 - Middle Secondary (Years 9-10).


For a hard copy of the materials please contact the Office of Women’s Policy on (03) 9208 3129 or by email at owp@dvc.vic.gov.au.

Centenary of Suffrage program


A bipartisan reference group, chaired by Parliamentary Secretary Lily D’Ambrosio, advises on the program development and ensures the participation of as many Victorians as possible including young people, Indigenous, ethnic and people living in rural and regional communities.

The aims of the Centenary of Suffrage program are to:
  • Explore the history of the campaign that gained most women the vote,
  • Celebrate and recognise the contribution of women over the past 100 years, and
  • Recognise the value of civic and political participation in the past, present and future for all Victorians, particularly women.


    • Historic Resources – Victorian Women Vote 1908-2008


    On November 17 at Storey Hall, Minister Morand launched three new historic resources as part of Victorian Women Vote 1908-2008.

    Representative Women: Victorian Women Parliamentarians since 1923 online exhibition


    The new window icon online exhibition celebrates Victorian women, past and present, who were elected to federal and state parliaments.

    Carrying on the fight: Women candidates in Victorian parliamentary elections online exhibition


    The new window icon online exhibition lists all women who have stood for election to the Victorian parliament, regardless of success.

    The new window icon Victorian Historical Journal is the foremost academic publication dealing with Victorian history. Formerly known as the Victorian Historical Magazine, it was first published in 1911. A special Women’s Suffrage Centenary Issue of the journal, which has been edited by Associate Professor Judith Smart was launched by Minister Morand in November.




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