Friday 13 May 2022
LINTON’S NEW ARTWORK TO RECOGNISE LINTON-BORN WAR SURGEON DR VERA SCANTLEBURY OBE
The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring the significant achievements of Victorian women are better represented and recognised under its landmark Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.
Michaela Settle Member for Buninyong today announced that Linton will share in the $1 million program, which will increase the number of permanent public art celebrating women across Victoria. The program will address the significant underrepresentation by funding projects that recognise women and their achievements through mediums such as statues, sculptures, and other enduring public art.
The artwork by local artist Lucy McEachern will celebrate the contribution of Linton-born war surgeon and Director of Infant and Maternal Health, Dr Vera Scantlebury OBE.
Born in 1889, Vera was the daughter of local Linton GP, Dr George Scantlebury, and the former Linton postmistress, Catherine Baynes. Vera completed her medical degree at the University of Melbourne in 1913 and wanted to contribute her skills to the war effort. However, as female doctors were not accepted in the Australian Army, she had to pay her own way to England to join the British Army, where female doctors were permitted to work. Although, they were not given official enlistment status nor allowed to wear the insignia of rank. For two years, Vera worked as a surgeon in a London military hospital treating injured soldiers being sent over from France.
When Vera returned home to Australia after the war, she became the first Director of the Victorian Infant Welfare Scheme. This was a ground-breaking role which saw her caring for the health and wellbeing of babies and mothers for decades to come.
In 1938, her contribution to the field of infant and maternal health was officially recognised with an OBE. She transformed a voluntary system into the professional statewide and universal one we have today. Vera died in 1946 from breast cancer.
The bronze artwork will be installed in the Avenue of Honour in Denison Street, Linton. It will be located opposite a memorial to the Linton men who served in World War 1. It will sit on a small triangular patch of land that is home to the two remaining elm trees that were planted alternately between oaks to create the Avenue 1918, a year after Vera left for the War. The artwork is due to be completed by November, 2022.
Quotes attributable to Michaela Settle Member for Buninyong
“Women have played a critical role in the economic, social and cultural development of Victoria and we should recognise these achievements just as equally as those of men.”
“For far too long, women have been underrepresented in public places. This program is a step in the right direction and will ensure that there are lasting monuments that celebrate the remarkable achievements of Victorian women.”
Quote from Deputy Mayor Cr Helena Kirby:
“Council welcomes the $116,811 grant from the Victorian Government’s Women’s Public Art Program, which will help us deliver this exciting artistic project to recognise the significant contributions of Dr Vera Scantlebury.
“This sculpture is an important addition to the historic township of Linton as its first memorial to the contribution of women during the wars.
“Council is really pleased to support this community-driven project and I congratulate the Linton Historical Society for their hard-work in making this statue a reality.”
Quotes attributable to artist Lucy McEachern
“‘It is a privilege and honour to be chosen to create this bronze artwork tribute to Dr Vera Scantlebury OBE and I am excited to be a founding contributor to raising the recognition and representation of women in public art
across Victoria. My hope is that this project prompts greater public awareness and curiosity regarding the need for increased artistic acknowledgement of the founding women achievers in this State.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Jill Wheeler, President, Linton and District Historical Society
“There are many plaques, Honour Boards, and two war memorials to men in Linton. There are no memorials of any kind to women. This representation of Vera Scantlebury will highlight one small, under-recognised part of Victoria’s rich contribution to the war by women. Our Avenue of Honour is a much loved but understated area of great historical significance and beauty in our town. It runs parallel to the Skipton to Ballarat Rail Trail which has many users, both locals and visitors, so the statue will be easily able to be viewed by them.”
