News: October 2025 Newsletter #69
The October 2025 Society Newsletter – Events, News and more to keep you informed.
Category: News
News: 2025/2026 Membership Renewal Time
It’s time to renew your Muriel Matters Society Membership for the 2025/2026 Financial Year – Find out how…
News: June 2025 Newsletter #68
The June 2025 Society Newsletter – Events, News and more to keep you informed.
News: January 2025 Newsletter #67
The January 2025 Society Newsletter – Events, News and more to keep you informed.
Parliamentary Petition for Global Peace
Download the Muriel Matters Society Global Peace Petition and return before 31 January 2025.
Media Release: 3 Minutes Silence for Global Peace
Media Release: 3 Minutes Silence for Global Peace rally will be held tonight in Adelaide.
News: October 2024 Newsletter #66
The October 2024 Society Newsletter – Events, News and more to keep you informed.
News: July 2024 Newsletter
The July 2024 Society Newsletter – Keeping you Informed.
News: July 2023 Newsletter
The July 2023 Society Newsletter – Keeping you Informed.
News: April 2023 Newsletter
The April 2023 Society Newsletter – Keeping you Informed.
News: February 2023 Newsletter
The February 2023 Society Newsletter – Keeping you Informed.
News: January 2023 Newsletter
The January 2023 Society Newsletter – Keeping you Informed.
News: Season’s Greetings 2020
Season’s greetings from The Muriel Matters Society
News: MMS Xmas Gifts and Stocking Fillers!
Need Xmas Gift Ideas? Visit our Merchandise Page
Video: Naomi Paxton’s Summer Showcase
Watch Naomi Paxton in her ‘Pageant of Women’ Lecture
News: MMS Book Launch Gallery
See the MMS Book Launch Event Picturex
News: Monograph Launch Fully Booked!
Monograph Event Tickets Sold Out!
News: 2020 MMS AGM Gallery!
View the 2020 AGM Gallery
Education: Free Teaching Resource & Worksheet for Students
Free Educational Resources for Teachers and Students that accompany the ‘Muriel Matters’ Documentary Film.
News: Spanish Flu and the Suffrage Movement
Take a look at the Spanish Flu and Suffrage Movements
Merchandise: Muriel Tea Towels – A Reminder of Radical Activism!
The humble commemorative tea towel has had a resurgence in recent times. They make a lovely gift idea anytime of the year or for your shoebox of memorabilia.
News: ‘The High Flyer’: A Muriel Playing Card!
The Suffra-Greats! card game, featuring Muriel is now available for purchase.
Article: ‘A Standard to Live By’: Violet Tillard and the Russian Famine
This article looks at suffragist, Violet Tillard and the Russian Famine.
Article: Remembering Charles Adams Matters (1885-1915)
This article looks at Muriel’s brother, Charles Adams Matters who died in the Great War in 1915.
Article: All dolled up with some way to go!
Irene Cockroft discusses desirable dolls and the suffrage movement.
Article: International Women’s Day 2020! Learn about some women who made a difference…
To celebrate IWD2020, this article looks at women who made a difference in the world.
Merchandise: 2020 MMS Tea Towel is Now Available!
The Muriel Matters Society Inc. has launched its new tea towel! For the occasion The Society got together at the Bridgeway Hotel in Pooraka over tea and coffee – a balloon themed cake was served for afternoon tea. The new tea towel celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the performance of The Society’s play ‘Why Muriel…… Continue reading Merchandise: 2020 MMS Tea Towel is Now Available!
News: Muriel’s Tasmania! Theatre and Democracy Mingle on the Apple Isle
Frances Bedford took a visit to Tasmania and shared Muriel’s story. Find out more.
News: Merry Christmas! Here is what Muriel was up to on this day in 1903…
Muriel made an appearance in The Register on page 3 on the 29th December 1903. Here’s a report on what she did on Christmas night along with some of the other goings-on around her at Victor Harbour at the time: “VICTOR HARBOUR, December 28 – Miss Muriel Matters, assisted by Miss A. K. Porter recited…… Continue reading News: Merry Christmas! Here is what Muriel was up to on this day in 1903…
Video: SA Suffrage 125 Schools Competition
View the winning entry video for the Schools 125 Women’s Suffrage Celebrations in SA.
News: Thanks East Torrens Primary School!
It was lovely to receive an envelope full of thank you’s from East Torrens Primary School after a recent visit by Frances Bedford MP. Frances used Muriel’s story to talk to the students about the importance of the vote and other hard-won democratic rights. Great to know another generation will know the impact of Muriel…… Continue reading News: Thanks East Torrens Primary School!
Merchandise: Quasquicentenary ‘Q’ Cards Series
We have several tasteful pieces of merchandise for sale here at The Society – badges, tea-towels, soaps and much more! One of our latest editions are the Quasquicentenary ‘Q’ Cards. These are a set of 12 cards that showcase the involvement of women in all aspects of life in the fight for equality. Bicycling, performance,…… Continue reading Merchandise: Quasquicentenary ‘Q’ Cards Series
Article: Feminism and Democracy – Then and Now
Members and friends of the Muriel Matters Society Inc. in Adelaide may find the following event of interest. Run by the team at the Feminist Writers Festival. Clare Wright, Denise George, Manal Younus, Rosemary Wanganeen and others will discuss 125 years of female suffrage, democracy and feminism. It will take place in the Hetzel Room…… Continue reading Article: Feminism and Democracy – Then and Now
News: Update on Recent MMS Happenings!
It has been a busy time for the Muriel Matters Society Inc. with a number of different events running in November all tied into the 125 celebrations for female suffrage in South Australia. For those who couldn’t make it here are some pictures and a recap to keep you up to date… 1. MMS 10th…… Continue reading News: Update on Recent MMS Happenings!
Event: 19 November 2019 – 50 Years Since Muriel’s Death
Muriel passed away in Hastings aged 92 on 17 November 1969 after a long and fulfilling life. The Muriel Matters Society Inc. will host an event at Muriel’s Mural in the Adelaide CBD to mark 50 years since her death. See below for all the details…
News: Can you help (Part 2)? Magic Lantern Slides – UK Images
We are on the hunt for as much information about them as we can… location, year, subject matter – anything you think might be of interest.
News: Can you help (Part 1)? Magic Lantern Slides of Old Adelaide
Those who came to the Muriel Matters Society’s Magic Lantern Show recently at the St Peters Town Hall will be familiar with some of these images of old Adelaide. We are on the hunt for as much information about them as we can… location, year, subject matter – anything you think might be of interest.…… Continue reading News: Can you help (Part 1)? Magic Lantern Slides of Old Adelaide
News: Elise Lamb to Play Muriel Matters at ‘Short + Sweet’ in Brisbane (Theatre)
Friend of the MMS, Elise Lamb, is bringing Muriel back to life in a short play as part of the Short + Sweet Theatre Festival at the Brisbane Powerhouse this June. Elise performed her play ‘Deeds, Not Words’ in London at the Pleasance Theatre and she is exited to step into her shoes once again!…… Continue reading News: Elise Lamb to Play Muriel Matters at ‘Short + Sweet’ in Brisbane (Theatre)
UK: Suffragettes on the Map
Mapping Women’s Suffrage identifies, plots and records, the everyday locations and lives of as many Votes for Women campaigners in 1911.
Audio: Dymphna Clark Lecture – Australian Women who won the vote!
(2018) Dr Clare Wright Presents the ‘Dymphna Clark Lecture’.
Muriel: Matters Street, Canberra
The suburb of Denman Prospect in Canberra, Australia features ‘Matters Street’ in honour of her legacy.
Audio: Muriel Matters: The Most Amazing Woman You’ve Never Heard of! (ABC Radio)
Trevor Chappell discussed Muriel’s adventures and her life with Robert Wainwright, journalist and author of ‘Miss Muriel Matters”, the Australian actress who became one of London’s most famous suffragettes.
Audio: ABC RN – ‘Female Political Pioneers’ – Phillip Adams and Claire Wright
Dr Clare Wright joins ABC RN’s Phillip Adams about Muriel and other female political pioneers.
125th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand
On 19 September 1893 an Act of New Zealand Parliament was passed that gave women the right to vote at elections – making them the first self-governing country in the world to do so. It was a decision that allowed women a voice in how their lives were governed and changed the face of their…… Continue reading 125th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand
Book & Video: Window Smashing in London – New Book by Helen Pankhurst
As part of her book launch, Dr Helen Pankhurst, a close friend of the Muriel Matters Society, was recently involved in re-creating the window smashing campaign by the early suffragettes.
Article: The daring Australian suffragist who spurred a ‘MeToo moment in British history’
ABC News article looking at the quiet Adelaide street where Muriel’s mural is now located.
News: Vale SA Historian, Dr Helen Jones AM
The sad passing of SA Suffrage Historian, Dr Helen Jones AM
Video: The Grille Incident in the 1935 Film, ‘Royal Cavalcade’
Muriel Matters’ involvement in the Muriel Matters’ involvement in the Grille Protest was dramatised in the ‘Royal Cavalcade’ – a British black and white film from 1935.
News: Volunteers Wanted
The Society Needs Your Help! Volunteer Today
Muriel: Muriel’s Mural!
The Society would like to thank Claire Foxton for her wonderful mural of Muriel! Claire is an accomplished artist and designer – for more of her work click here. Her work can be viewed in Dawkins Place, just off Frome Road in the Adelaide CBD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5seIuuMYsjI A time-lapse of the project, completed in January 2018…… Continue reading Muriel: Muriel’s Mural!
Muriel’s Art in the 21st Century!
Rarely do we have the opportunity to experience the art and repertoire of Muriel’s time, but July has seen two such occasions. Photos from ‘A Doll’s House’ Prior to opening night, Muriel/Frances visited the cast of The State Theatre’s ‘A Doll’s House’ in the Dunstan Playhouse at the Festival Centre. This new adaptation by Elena…… Continue reading Muriel’s Art in the 21st Century!
News: MMS helps the Eastern Adelaide DV Service
The Society has Donated to the EADV Service
Opening of the Centre of Democracy
The Centre of Democracy (CoD) opened for the first time last Wednesday on 24 May 2017. It houses a number of important artefacts relating to the development of democracy in South Australia. From Don Dunstan’s pink shorts to a miniature portrait of Catherine Helen Spence there is plenty to see. Some ephemera from the Muriel Matters Society’s collection also figures…… Continue reading Opening of the Centre of Democracy
‘Miss Muriel Matters’ – MMS Adelaide Book Launch
The Muriel Matters Society hosted Robert Wainwright, the author of the biography ‘Miss Muriel Matters’ at the Hetzel Theatre at the State Library of South Australia on Thursday. Members enjoyed a wonderful spread of food and drink throughout the event as the author signed books and mingled with those in attendance. Robert gave a talk about Muriel’s upbringing…… Continue reading ‘Miss Muriel Matters’ – MMS Adelaide Book Launch
The City of Adelaide Clipper Ship
On Sunday morning, 26 February 2017, The Muriel Matters Society visited The City of Adelaide Clipper Ship at Port Adelaide. Around thirty members gathered for a tour of the ship and all enjoyed learning a little more about this fascinating aspect of Australian maritime history. The oldest surviving clipper ship in the world, approximately 250,000 Australians can trace…… Continue reading The City of Adelaide Clipper Ship
2017 Adelaide Fringe Opening Parade
The Muriel Matters Society Inc. was invited to join this year’s Adelaide Fringe Opening Parade! The Society’s Secretary, Frances Bedford, played Muriel on a lively float that depicted her 1909 balloon protest in London. Members of The Society walked alongside the float wearing white outfits with homemade sashes similar to those used by the suffragists…… Continue reading 2017 Adelaide Fringe Opening Parade
Muriel: Opening of Muriel Matters Walk in Bowden
Muriel Matters Walk is a walking path located in the Adelaide Suburb of Bowden.
Muriel: Muriel Matters House, Hastings Borough Council Offices
The Society is delighted to announce that the Hastings Borough Council offices have been renamed Muriel Matters House! As early as 1908 Muriel agitated in favour of women’s suffrage in the area and ran unsuccessfully as the Labour Candidate for the seat of Hastings at the 1924 election. Muriel lived with her husband there from the…… Continue reading Muriel: Muriel Matters House, Hastings Borough Council Offices
The Society’s Friends from Hastings Visit Adelaide
In December 2016 The Society was visited by Laurence and Grace Bell from the White Rock Hotel in Hastings. The Hotel is very close by Muriel’s Pelham Crescent home and the Secretary of The Society, Frances Bedford, was delighted to host them and give them a tour of South Australian Parliament. Laurence and Grace were…… Continue reading The Society’s Friends from Hastings Visit Adelaide
MMS October Meeting: The Grille Anniversary, Muriel’s Birthday, the UK Trip Report and Much More!
The MMS met on Sunday morning 31 October 2016 at the Florey Electorate Office. At the meeting the Secretary of the MMS, Frances Bedford, outlined her recent trip to the UK. With plenty of pictures to share, Frances spoke at length about all the people she met, the events she organised, and some of the successes…… Continue reading MMS October Meeting: The Grille Anniversary, Muriel’s Birthday, the UK Trip Report and Much More!
Molly Radakovitch’s COTA Award!
The MMS is pleased to announce that one of our members recently received a COTA SA award! On 28 October 2016 Molly Radakovitch was given the award which celebrates positive ageing in Australia. As an organisation COTA wishes to reframe the way ageing is perceived in society, change popular expectations, and advocate for the needs…… Continue reading Molly Radakovitch’s COTA Award!
Video: News Story Muriel mattered: the first woman to speak in the UK Parliament
(2016) News Story from ABC News Australia filmed in London which looks at Muriel’s exploits in the UK Parliament.
Audio: Australian Activist Muriel Matters Remembered (ABC Radio)
The ABC’s Europe Correspondent, Steve Cannane talk about how the Muriel Matters Society is trying to raise awareness of the role played by the South Australian activist in the fight to get British women the vote.
Article: Muriel Matters Society salutes the Australian who fought for the voting rights of British women
(2016) ABC Europe’s Steve Cannane highlights Muriel Matters’ fight for voting rights for British women.
The Muriel Matters Society 2016 AGM
On Sunday 14 August, Members of the Muriel Matters Society gathered at the 7 Stars Hotel in the Adelaide CBD for the Society’s Annual General Meeting for 2016. Frances Bedford, the Secretary of the Society, delivered the Secretary’s, financial and correspondence reports for 2015-2016 which were then discussed openly by all Members present. After the Annual…… Continue reading The Muriel Matters Society 2016 AGM
News: The Society at the Hindmarsh Fire and Folk Museum!
On the weekend The Society had a wonderful time at the Hindmarsh Fire and Folk Museum – home of a series of photos of Mudge the Butcher, and his butcher’s block – exploring its many treasures! President, Ron Willis, and Secretary, Trevor Porter, and their team were very welcoming to all of our Members as we shared tea, coffee, and…… Continue reading News: The Society at the Hindmarsh Fire and Folk Museum!
Education: SA Suffragette e-Resource for Teachers and Students
‘South Australian Suffragettes’ is an excellent resource provided by the Parliament of South Australia for teachers and students who want to learn more about the Suffrage.
News: Website Update! Our New Look
The Muriel Matters Society website has received a much needed facelift! Please take the time to look through the new additions. Besides looking a lot different the website has got a couple of new sections as well. The ‘Archive’ page was added as a place for The Society to store previous newsletters and old news stories. A ‘Merchandise’…… Continue reading News: Website Update! Our New Look
News: SA Parliamentary Library Reading Room Named in Honour of Muriel Matters
A ceremony to name the ‘Muriel Matters Room’ was held in the South Australian Parliamentary Library on 5 August 2014. The gathering was addressed by the President of the Friends of the Library, Vickie Chapman, and she was assisted in the unveiling by the Speaker, Hon Michael Atkinson. Frances Bedford presented the Library with an…… Continue reading News: SA Parliamentary Library Reading Room Named in Honour of Muriel Matters
News: Muriel Matters Society on Facebook and Twitter
If you like social media, keep up to date with all things Muriel by joining the Society on Facebook and Twitter! This is just another way members can connect with the happenings of the Society. The links to both accounts are on the left hand side of the website’s home page, or follow these links:…… Continue reading News: Muriel Matters Society on Facebook and Twitter
Video: ‘Muriel Matters!’
(2013) This Documentary TV Movie, broadcast on the ABC and at the Adelaide Film Festival shows the life and exploits of Muriel Matters’ life.
Video: Living Legacy – Muriel at the Adelaide Film Festival (ABC News)
(2013) The ABC looks at Muriel’s campaign for women’s rights and her Movie Premier at the Adelaide Film Festival.
Archived Newsletters (2009-2003)
Archived Newsletters of the Muriel Matters Society from 2009 – 2003. 2009-2023 Newsletters All 2023 Newsletters All 2022 Newsletters All 2021 Newsletters All 2020 Newsletters All 2019 Newsletters All 2018 Newsletters All 2017 Newsletters All 2016 Newsletters All 2015 Newsletters All 2014 Newsletters All 2013 Newsletters All 2012 Newsletters All 2011 Newsletters All 2010 Newsletters…… Continue reading Archived Newsletters (2009-2003)
Video: Why Muriel Matters (ABC)
(2009) This clip from ABC StatelineSA talks about how South Australian women are working to promote the crucial role which suffragettes like Muriel Matters played in getting females the vote in Australia.
The Muriel Matters Society 