Noms open to honour a Victorian woman

NOMINATIONS for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women are now open to the community to put forward women of note for induction.

Over the roll’s 13-year history, a total of 750 women have been inducted for their contributions in fields including science, art, environment, health, and education.

Victorian state minister for Women Natalie Hutchins opened the nominations earlier this week and said women of all ages, backgrounds, and fields can be nominated.

“The Victorian Honour Roll of Women is providing a real opportunity for women already achieving great things to have an even greater impact,” Ms Hutchins said. “I’d encourage all Victorians to take note of the nominations link and put forward a woman they know who is having an incredible impact on their own communities.”

In 2022, local woman Janice Valma Davey OAM was inducted posthumously for her contribution to music and arts.

Davey’s son, Alan Davey, nominated her for induction under the trailblazer category in recognition of her advocacy for women’s involvement in brass bands.

“I think there were about five or six categories from memory, and I specifically selected trailblazer because she was,” Mr Davey said. “As a woman in brass banding, she definitely was a trailblazer.”

Davey began her career in the Bendigo brass band’s marching girls’ team and went on to be the first woman in Australia to be appointed to the role of drum major.

“She was legendary in the banding movement for all of her achievements, especially in a domain that was mainly dominated by males,” Mr Davey said.

“It was very rare to find a woman involved in a brass band, but she established herself as a leading figure and we were all very proud of her.”

The Davey family has established an award called the Janice Valma Davey OAM memorial award for Australian brass bands.

“The idea is bands can nominate women who have made an outstanding contribution to brass banding in Australia,” Mr Davey said.

Davey remained a drum major throughout her career until her diagnosis with breast cancer, after which she continued to play in the band as a musician until her passing in 2021. Visit vic.gov.au/honour-roll-women to make a nomination.