The fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) story of the first women elected to federal parliament and the rather pressing issue they discovered on their first day on the job: there were no women’s loos in Parliament House!

In 1943, the first two women were elected to the Australian parliament. Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney had very different political views, but they soon discovered they had at least one problem in common: none of the loos for elected officials in Parliament House were marked ‘Ladies’.

Award-winning cartoonist Eleri Harris tackles an important moment in Australian history in a humorous and lighthearted way, illuminating themes of equality and accessibility for readers of all ages.

Eleri Harris is an award-winning cartoonist, journalist and editor working on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Australia’s national capital. Her non-fiction history, science and reportage comics have been exhibited and published all over the world. A Loo of One’s Own is her first book for children.

First Dog on the Moon is Australia’s only Walkley award-winning marsupial-based cartoonist and has done all sorts of things including books, radio, stage shows and a lot of lying down.

Sarah Hamilton is Creative Associate at Terrapin. She is a performer, playwright, dramaturg and director. Her award-winning work has toured nationally and internationally, including They Saw a Thylacine (co-created with Justine Campbell), which received multiple awards and toured Australia through Performing Lines following a collaboration with Malthouse Theatre.

Join Eleri, First Dog and Sarah at the Afterword Cafe

This is a free event, please RSVP online