A statue honouring one of the pioneers of women’s cricket can now be seen in Bendigo.
The bronze likeness of Barbara Rae was unveiled at a ceremony outside the gates of the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Friday, February 6th.
Ms Rae is credited with organising and participating in the first known all-female cricket match in Australia, played at the very same venue – then known as “Camp Reserve” – during the Bendigo Easter Fair in 1874, at just 19 years of age.
Responsible for bringing the artwork to life is Castlemaine-based sculptor Lis Johnson, who admitted to Robbo on the Wake Up Call that she wasn’t familiar with Ms Rae’s story before taking on the project.
“However, I have an emotional connection to being able to sculpt strong women,” Ms Johnson said.
She was hired to create the work as part of the state government’s Victorian Women’s Public Art Program, which aims to address the lack of female figures represented in statues, sculptures and other art in public spaces statewide.
It’s a cause the artist herself is proud to be part of.
“Real women need to be represented a bit more in public artwork,” she told the Wake Up Call.
“I’ve spent thirty-odd years as a sculptor and I do mostly commissions… and it’s mostly been significant men.”
Ms Johnson was among those who attended the reveal of her work last Friday, alongside several of Ms Rae’s descendants and several dignitaries, including Premier Jacinta Allan and City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Thomas Prince.
