90 Years of an Australian icon
The Australian Women's Weekly Celebrates at Exhibition Opening Night
Opening Night images and video here
The Australian Women's Weekly, Australia's most beloved and iconic women's title, was celebrated last night at the opening of a new exhibition paying homage as it marks its milestone 90th birthday.
Collaboratively developed with one of Australia’s largest regional galleries, Bendigo Art Gallery, and The Australian Women’s Weekly, the occasion, held at the gallery brought together interstate, as well as local, guests and dignitaries to commemorate nearly a century of empowering women and shaping Australian culture.
Guests included former editor Deborah Hutton, current editor-in-chief Nicole Byers, Bendigo Art Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot, exhibition curator Lauren Ellis, The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, City of Greater Bendigo Mayor, Cr Andrea Metcalf and Deputy Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden, and Vic Shadow Minister for Women Cindy McLeish. Having lent iconic cover shoot gowns to the exhibition, fashion designers Aurelio Costarella (with business partner Paul O Connor) and Jason Grech were in attendance as were fellow fashion designers, Romance Was Born’s Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, along with pioneering artist and fashion designer Linda Jackson.
Former editor-in-chief and publishing titan Ita Buttrose AC, OBE kicked off the evening virtually with a warm welcome to guests.
“Since its inception in 1933 The Weekly has been a consistent touchpoint for Australian women, reporting on the news and subjects that matter most to them. For 90 years it has combined agenda-setting news stories with lifestyle offerings to both celebrate and shape our nation,” she remarked.
The exhibition features some of Ita’s personal scrapbooks and memorabilia – treasures she has kept in her private collection until now.
Inside the venue, guests were immersed in the exhibition which chronicles the rich history of The Australian Women's Weekly and showcases iconic covers, memorable articles, and the fashion and glamour this much-loved magazine brand has featured over the past nine decades. The exhibitionalso pays a heart-warming tribute to Australian women’s creativity and caregiving in the domestic and public sphere.
The Australian Women’s Weekly editor-in-chief Nicole Byers expressed her gratitude for the titles’ milestone anniversary at the exhibition opening.
“We are thrilled to be bringing some of The Weekly’s most memorable moments to the Bendigo Art Gallery in what will be a spectacular start to our 90th celebrations. 90 Years of an Australian Icon celebrates not only The Australian Women’s Weekly’s heritage of agenda-setting, storytelling and trusted lifestyle and food content, it also explores how the brand has charted the changing lives of Australian women from 1933 to today.”
The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian Icon
27 May – 27 August, 2023.
Bendigo Art Gallery. www.bendigoartgallery.com.au
Katrina Hall
Publicity/Communications
Bendigo Art Gallery
0421 153 046 [email protected]
Marlene Richardson
GasbagPR
The Australian Women’s Weekly
0409 888 218 [email protected]
Contact details:
Marlene Richardson, GASBAGPR, 0409 888 218, [email protected]