Like water to wine, they turned one shilling into 5.7 million dollars

In 1896 a group of female firebrands called on Victorians to donate one shilling to establish the Queen Victoria Hospital. From one shilling, they raised the equivalent of AUD $5.7 million today, and forged a space for medical women in the days when the only acceptable occupations for women were as governesses or teachers. Run by women, for women, it was the first of its kind in Australia and one of three in the world. In 2007, Queen Victoria Women’s Centre (QVWC) is putting out the call again to Victorians to contribute to the Shilling Fund and help raise funds to continue the vital work of QVWC in dealing with issues such as domestic violence, law, wellbeing, career and life challenging situations.
Donations to the QVWC Shilling Fund are tax deductible and will continue the work of QVWC in breaking down barriers and helping women achieve their full potential. All donations over $150 are eligible to nominate an inspiring or significant woman to take her place on the Shilling Wall.

The Shilling Wall

As one of a number of exciting projects planned as part of the Shilling Fund, QVWC is building the Shilling Wall which will be a striking landmark feature for people to make a lasting tribute to an incredible woman in their life. The Shilling Wall will stand in the Shilling Wall Garden in the grounds of QVWC, providing a public space for relaxation and reflection on the achievements of sung and unsung women. She could be your mother, daughter, wife, sister, teacher or friend. Or maybe someone you’ve never met, but whose actions during her lifetime have affected you during yours. Tributes on the Shilling Wall start at $150 and range to $5,000. Contact QVWC to find out how to make a tribute on the Shilling Wall and honour an inspiring or significant woman who has touched your life.

About other QVWC programs

‘Note to Herself’: In March 2007, QVWC’s Note to Herself campaign distributed blank postcards to the community encouraging women to anonymously express the areas of their lives over which they wanted to take control. Over 1,000 postcards were received which then formed the Note to Herself exhibition giving women the opportunity to recognise and express their own issues while gaining insight into the issues faced by others.
‘Young Women, Body Image and the Digital Age’: In April 2007, the QVWC forum ‘Young Women, Body Image and the Digital Age’ will educate Year 11 girls about digital manipulation in beauty and fashion media. The forum will arm girls with the facts to deal with images portraying unrealistic physical perfection.
Find out more about the history of the Shilling Fund.

Donate to the Shilling Fund.

Download the The Shilling Fund Media Release (PDF) 53.73 kB.