They might have thought better of it had they known a display of the Japanese martial art jiu jitsu was also on the cards for the evening. Victorian women campaigning for the right to vote took up martial arts with a passion in the 1890s to defend themselves from assaults by men, both in their doorknocking and protesting campaigns and in a wider effort to end sexual assaults on women.

Led by the female professional martial arts instructor Edith Garrud, the movement argued that as women were exposed to violence and intimidation in their pursuit of suffrage they should campaign to break free of reliance on men for their protection and learn the martial art.

IN OTHER NEWS

As part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival a theatrical double feature, presented by Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute and Tales from Rat City, will explore this history and the curious phenomena of young men dressing as ghosts and terrorising locals in SuffraJitsu and Playing the Ghost.

In Playing the Ghost, the play explores actors creating spectres to scare away ill fortune and evil spirits, the wassailing rituals protecting against misfortune, and hoaxers challenging the authority of the scientific anti-superstitious crusade by 'playing the ghost' in elaborate charades. It also records the steps taken by 19th Century police, clergy and even vigilantes to stamp out the 'ghost nuisance'.

Cost is $30 for both plays, which are being performed at the BMI this Friday May 14 at 7pm. More at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/suffrajitsu-playing-the-ghost-ballarat-heritage-festival-tickets-149105635971

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