Born in 1821, the Irishwoman moved to London, had an illegitimate child, then left her new beau for the land of opportunity in Ballarat, where she opened the Adelphi Theatre.

Hanmer’s theatre soon became a meeting place for the Ballarat Reform League as well as providing costumes and props for soldiers involved in the Stockade.

Federation University masters of education students – Jessica Gorvin, Angela Richmond and Becci Valentine – want to bring this remarkable woman back to life and have created a display showcasing their months of research.

The three are among a group curating a new exhibition, Democracy Manifest: Making Ballarat, to be opened at M.A.D.E on Sunday.

Their fellow students have focused on other contemporary democratic figures including indigenous elder Uncle Bryon Powell.

The exhibition will continue at M.A.D.E until Saturday, October 1.