Australia’s First Female Garage Owner Honoured
The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has announced a $100,000 donation to support the Alice Anderson Public Art Project, recognising one of Australia’s earliest automotive trailblazers and reinforcing the industry’s commitment to championing women in the automotive sector.
The contribution will support the creation of a life sized bronze statue in Kew, celebrating Alice Anderson’s legacy as Australia’s first female motor garage owner and a pioneer who trained and employed women in the automotive sector at a time when opportunities were scarce.
VACC CEO Peter Jones said the donation reflects the strong alignment between the Chamber’s purpose and the values embodied by Alice Anderson.
“VACC has been the voice of the automotive industry for more than a century, and Alice Anderson’s story is deeply connected to that journey,” Mr Jones said.
“She was not only an innovator and entrepreneur, but a champion for women in the automotive industry, creating opportunities, building skills, and challenging what was possible. That legacy continues to resonate strongly with our work today.”
Founded in 1919, Anderson’s all women motor garage in Kew broke new ground, employing and training women as mechanics, chauffeurs and drivers, an extraordinary achievement that continues to inspire in what remains a male dominated industry.
“This project is more than a statue. It is a visible and lasting reminder of the important role women have played, and will continue to play, in shaping our industry.”
The project is being delivered in a partnership between The Alice Anderson Memorial Project Association and the City of Boroondara, which has committed funding toward both the statue and associated site works, reinforcing strong local government support for recognising Anderson’s legacy and its place in the community.
Co-founder of The Alice Anderson Memorial Project, Samantha Lovrich, welcomed VACC’s support, describing it as a pivotal moment for the initiative.
“This generous contribution from VACC is a powerful endorsement from the automotive industry itself,” Ms Lovrich said.
“This project has been driven by a passionate team of volunteers all committed to ensuring Alice Anderson’s legacy is celebrated by way of a statue in the place where she lived and worked. Support like this brings us significantly closer to making that vision a reality.”
The Alice Anderson Memorial Project, established by three founding members and backed by a growing network of community supporters, has spent several years building momentum for the project, working to secure partnerships, raise awareness and bring the story of Alice Anderson back into the spotlight. Mayor of the City of Boroondara, Cr Wes Gault, said the project is an important cultural and community milestone.
“Alice Anderson was a true pioneer, and this statue will commemorate her life and impact here in Boroondara,” Cr Gault said.
“This project not only honours a woman who led an extraordinary and inspiring life but also helps address the under representation of women in public monuments, ensuring their contributions are visible and celebrated in our shared history.”
The Alice Anderson Public Art Project aims to raise funds to deliver the statue, intended for installation in Petrie Square, Kew. The proposed location is near the site of Alice Anderson’s original automotive garage in Kew and would help to inspire future generations and increase the visibility of women’s achievements in Australia’s history.
