Bendigo Art Gallery announces new exhibition: The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian icon

Bendigo Art Gallery has announced a new exhibition running 27 May – 27 August, The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian icon.

This exhibition marks the 90th anniversary of The Australian Women’s Weekly through a look back at some of the inspiring women who have been part of the magazine’s history, the changing eras of fashion and style brought to life on its pages, and the creativity it has inspired in the domestic sphere. 

This exhibition honours the contributions of some of the trailblazing women who have made the Weekly a magazine for women, by women, from its very beginnings, such as courageous wartime reporter Dorothy Drain, who filed stories from the field during WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, writing for the mothers and sisters of the soldiers she met. 

The Australian Women’s Weekly has always offered a window onto the global fashion stage, and this exhibition presents a selection of garments by leading Australian designers, worn by notable and inspiring Australian women on recent covers – including Toni Maticevski worn by legendary culinary entrepreneur Maggie Beer, Sonia Cappallazzo for actress and writer Miranda Tapsell, and an Aurelio Costarella gown worn by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.

The resourceful creativity of Australian women dedicated to creating special memories for their children, and filling their homes with colour and inspiration, is honoured with a fond look back at dressmaking, interior design, craft and cooking projects inspired by the Weekly; including – of course – the ingenious designs of the Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book, still going strong 43 years after its first publication.

Bendigo Art Gallery is located at 42 View Street, Bendigo VIC 3550. This is a free exhibition – no bookings required. Click here to learn more.