Notable Women of North Sydney

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Artist for Notable Women Stage Two Announced: Meet Emma Rowland

Emma is a creative specialising in projects involving community engagement, custom illustration and playful visual solutions. In July 2026, following a call for EOIs, Emma was selected to deliver Stage 2 of Council's Notable North Sydney Women project.

A huge history buff, who has worked recently with organisations including the State Library of NSW, She Shapes History and Put Her Name On It, Emma's practice combines drawing, research and visual storytelling to explore the relationship between people, place and history.

Over the coming months, Emma will be combing through Council's archives and historical collections, and meeting with members of the community to develop a proposal for a public, Stage 3 outcome of the Notable North Sydney Women project in 2027.

Find out more about Emma and Rowland Studios here and follow @artsandculturenthsyd for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights and discoveries from Emma. 

Emma Rowland

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Know a notable woman?

Do you know a notable woman with a connection to North Sydney? Share her story with us now

Help North Sydney Council recognise and celebrate the women of our community. 

As part of North Sydney Council’s Notable Women of North Sydney project, we are inviting the community to share stories of local women - past or present - who have made a positive impact on North Sydney or beyond.  Promotional banner for notable women

Your stories will help inform future creative projects about notable women of North Sydney. These stories also help us: 

- recognise women who have contributed to North Sydney life 

- educate our community about important contributions 

- highlight stories that might otherwise be overlooked 

We are seeking stories about any woman with a connection to the North Sydney Area - living or deceased. They could have:  

- made a significant impact on the community, state, nation or worldwide

- advanced important causes such as education, health, arts, social justice, business, environment or leadership 

- received awards, honours or formal recognition (local, national, or international) 

- been a trailblazer or pioneer (the first in their field or broken barriers for women or underrepresented groups) 

- enduring influence beyond their lifetime or career 

 

 

Notable Women of North Sydney

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Jacquelyn Wong

Community builder, volunteer, gardener, mother. Photographed by Jacquie Manning.

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Sophia Skarparis

Youth change maker, environmental educator. Photographed by Jacquie Manning.

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Catherine McGuiness

Artist, three-time archibald prize finalist. Photographed by Jacquie Manning.

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Saint Mary MacKillop

Educator, social justice reformer. Photo credit: Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

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Prof Gemma Figtree AM

Interventional cardiologist, marathon runner, mother, breast cancer survivor. Photo credit: The University of Sydney.

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Carole Baker

First female Mayor of North Sydney, community activist, trailblazer

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Victoria Alexander

Entrepreneur, author, photographer, publisher, mother. Photographed by Jacquie Manning.

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Molly Cane and Nellie Doherty

Molly Cane and Nellie Doherty made sporting history in 1921 as players in Australia’s first organised women’s rugby league competition. Photo credit: National Library of Australia.

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