A LANDMARK petition which changed the face of history and evoked a grassroots movement calling for equality for women is being showcased in Ballarat.
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On Wednesday, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka unveiled the Victorian Women’s Suffrage Petition.
The 1891 petition was the result of the tireless efforts of a group of Victorian women to gain democratic rights for all women.
The document was the result of a handful of women taking to the streets in 1891 to collect signatures for a petition to present to the Parliament of Victoria.
It is the first time the document has been exhibited outside Melbourne.
Dubbed the “Monster Petition” for its 260-metre length, the petition attracted more than 30,000 signatures. Of the signatures, more than 800 were from Ballarat women and men.
The names of the local families can still be found on the document.
Victorian Women’s Affairs Minister Heidi Victoria was at M.A.D.E to launch the exhibition.
“When you think about the population size in Victoria at that time, it is truly an incredible result,” Ms Victoria said.
Ms Victoria said the petition remained a visual legacy of the tireless efforts of “courageous and tenacious” Victorian women who fought for democracy.
The petition will be on display at M.A.D.E until January 12.
