International Women's Day

International Women's Day is on Sunday March 8, 2026 and the theme this year is "Give to Gain". This theme conveys a powerful message: when society gives women equal opportunities, respect, education, and support, the entire world gains from their progress and leadership.

Looking through our collection, we have information about many local women who have given to our community.

In 1999 the Mundaring and Hills Historical Society received from the Women’s Policy Office, a grant commemorating the Centenary of Women’s Suffrage in WA. This culminated in the book Patchwork of Memories stories of “women who made a difference“ in the Shire of Mundaring. In it you will find 28 women’s stories.

One woman in the collection is Amelia Morrison Fraser Macdonald (1865-1946), social reformer and women's activist, who was born on 17 June 1865 in Scotland. She married Alexander Parkinson Macdonald, a steamship steward and caterer. They emigrated to Sydney where, for nine years, she ran a tailoring business. In 1896 the MacDonalds moved to Western Australia and opened a café in Barrack Street, Perth, which continued to operate until 1913. In 1916 they moved to Bonnie Brae in Smith Street, Glen Forrest. Amelia was a member of St Andrews Church and the Sunday School teacher. She was the President of Glen Forrest School P & C Association between 1928 and 1945 when she retired due to ill health. She died in August 1946 and left the P&C a legacy of 10 pounds. Amelia Macdonald was also a founder (1909) of the Women's Service Guild of Western Australia, treasurer of the Perth guild and State president (1929). A principal figure in establishing the Kindergarten Union, the Western Australian Girl Guides' Association, and the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, she supported the Workers' Educational Association, the Women's Immigration Auxiliary Council and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

In the book there are 27 other local women’s stories including the Jacoby wives, the Sisters who set up Parkerville Children’s Home and Emily Elizabeth Clatworthy the local midwife for whom the Glen Forrest Playgroup and Kindergarten building is named – Emily Clatworthy House.

The book is available to borrow from Mundaring Library.

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