Skirts on Sacred Benches

Did you know that women in NSW won the vote in 1902, yet were denied the right to stand for parliament until 1918?

Join us for an extraordinary event held in the Legislative Assembly of the NSW Parliament to celebrate the centenary of the 1925 election of Millicent Preston-Stanley – the NSW Parliament’s first female member.

This very special event will be held in the very same chamber where Preston-Stanley affected change as the only woman member in the legislature at the time.

• When: Wednesday 13 August 2025, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

• Where: Legislative Assembly Chamber, NSW Parliament and via online livestream

Former High Court and Supreme Court judge, The Hon Virginia Bell AC, SC, will provide a keynote address on the fascinating story of the passing of the NSW Women’s Legal Status Act in 1918, which allowed women to become solicitors and barristers and be elected to parliament.

Following this, you’ll watch Skirts on Sacred Benches, a historical re-enactment of Millicent Preston-Stanley’s motion to improve rights for women with the Guardianship of Infants bill.

While at NSW Parliament House, don’t miss your chance view the original copies of the NSW Women’s Legal Status Act, on display below the portrait of Millicent Preston-Stanley near the Legislative Assembly entrance to NSW Parliament House for a limited time.

Limited seats available! Join the waitlist to receive an invite as tickets become available.

Can’t attend in person? Join via the online livestream.

Subscribe to the NSW Parliaments Events Newsletter to be the first to hear about our upcoming events.

Please note, due to the heritage nature of the building access to the public galleries requires navigating steep and narrow stairs. Please contact us if you have accessibility needs.