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These 5 Famous Australian Women Who Will Make You Proud To Be From The Land Down-Under

Strong women have always had a powerful impact on history, and it’s only in the past half-century or so where we’re seeing those women actually being credited for their contributions.

It should then come as no surprise that Australia has had its fair share of inspiring women throughout our short history. With our rough terrain, and our stoic “she’ll be right” attitude; Australian women are a special kind of tough. Let’s take a look at 5 of the most famous and inspiring Australian women.

1. Beryl Mills

The “Ideal Australian Girl,” Australia’s First Beauty Queen

Born on January 3, 1907, in Western Australia, Beryl grew up to become the first Miss Australia in 1926 at the age of 19. Good looks aside; Beryl also attended the University of Western Australia in a time where women going to university was not the norm! While there, she was a successful athlete; she won swimming and diving championships, and was also the captain of the hockey team.

Beryl then went on a promotional tour in America to present herself as the “ideal Australian girl”—educated, poised, and athletic. Using her celebrity status, Beryl continued on her legacy by founding the Beryl Mills Advertising Service in 1928 at the age of 21.

Beryl could have easily coaxed through life on her good looks and her fame, but she chose to strive to become the best woman she could be, and that’s what makes her a great Australian woman.

2. Fanny Cochrane Smith

Australia’s Advocate For Aboriginal Language Preservation

Born on December 1834 in Flinders Island in Tasmania, Fanny Cochrane Smith was best known as an Aboriginal linguist. She devoted her life to preserving as much of Aboriginal heritage as she could. From 1899 to 1903, now in her late 60s, she used wax cylinders to record Tasmanian Aboriginal songs and speech, which to this day are the only original recordings in existence.

Fanny Cochrane Smith dedicated her final years to preserving her heritage, her culture, and her history—and there’s nothing more inspiring than that!

3. Louise Mack

Australian Poet, & The First Female War Correspondent

Another great Tasmanian, born on October 10, 1870, Marie Louise Hamilton Mack grew up to be the first female war correspondent during one of the most dangerous and bloody wars in history. In 1896, only in her mid-twenties, she published her first novel, The World is Round, and later on, published a book of poems and became a columnist for The Bulletin in 1898.

When World War I broke out in 1914 she bravely reported from the front line for the Daily Mail and Evening News in England.

Louise Mack will forever be remembered for her courage; it takes incredible bravery to embrace the frontlines of a war over and over again.

4. & 5. Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie

In the early 1900s, the idea of mixed bathing was a heated debate. The 1912 Stockholm Olympics was the first Olympics to hold women’s swimming events. Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie are best known as the first ever Australian female Olympian swimmers.

At first, they were told they could not compete at the Olympics, on the grounds that the selection committee didn’t have the funds to send female competitors to the Olympics. A public uproar ensued and eventually, Fanny and Mina were allowed to compete so long as they paid for their own travelling and living expenses.

That year they both ended up winning medals; Fanny got gold at age 23, and Mina was awarded silver at age 22 and as always have a chilled day from the Viking