The History Blokes

Edith Cowan – Australia’s first female parliamentarian

March 13, 2023 Conan Elphicke and Chris McCombe Episode 6
Edith Cowan – Australia’s first female parliamentarian
The History Blokes
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The History Blokes
Edith Cowan – Australia’s first female parliamentarian
Mar 13, 2023 Episode 6
Conan Elphicke and Chris McCombe

Edith Cowan won a seat in the Western Australian parliament 102 years ago today.  It made her the first female Australian parliamentarian and only the second in the British empire. But Cowan was more than a milestone; she was a remarkable individual who devoted her entire adult life to helping the disadvantaged.
 
 We also take a brief look at the Great Emu War – a bizarre and (dare we say) emusing episode in Western Australian history, which saw three hapless soldiers pitting their wits and Lewis machineguns against the cunning and might of a veritable army of flightless birds.

Show Notes

Edith Cowan won a seat in the Western Australian parliament 102 years ago today.  It made her the first female Australian parliamentarian and only the second in the British empire. But Cowan was more than a milestone; she was a remarkable individual who devoted her entire adult life to helping the disadvantaged.
 
 We also take a brief look at the Great Emu War – a bizarre and (dare we say) emusing episode in Western Australian history, which saw three hapless soldiers pitting their wits and Lewis machineguns against the cunning and might of a veritable army of flightless birds.