GLAM/Newsletter/April 2025/Contents/Australia report
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Highlighting Feminist and women's histories and a Wiki Day at the South Australian Museum
From Archives to Wikipedia: Documenting Australian Feminism Through Radical Acts
The "Radical Acts" project at the State Library of Victoria, funded by Wikimedia Australia, focuses on enhancing the representation of Australian feminist activism within Wikipedia and archival records. It involves two Wikimedians-in-Residence who have created new biographies and improved existing articles, aiming to combat gender bias and illuminate the contributions of Australian feminists. By linking Wikipedia content with library resources, the project increases visibility of feminist movements and enhances access to significant historical materials.
Kerrie and Ellie have utilised SLV’s extensive collection of Australian feminism and Women's Liberation materials during their research. They have worked both remotely and onsite to gather information from various resources, including books from the La Trobe and Redmond Barry Reading Rooms, and items from the SLV Manuscripts collection.
New articles include notable Australian figures and organisations such as:
In addition to creating new articles, Kerrie and Ellie have enhanced existing entries by improving textual content, adding citations, and incorporating multimedia resources. They've implemented the “archives at” property (P485) in relevant Wikidata items, linking them to available papers at the SLV.Read the full report on the WIkimedia Australia website.
A Wiki Day at SA Museum: From Photos to Facts
On April 12, 2025, Wikimedia Australia hosted an exciting meetup at the South Australian Museum, where attendees participated in a hands-on workshop titled "Wiki Day at SA Museum: From Photos to Facts." Led by Dr. Mike Dickison, a seasoned Wikipedian and Wikimedian at Large for Aotearoa New Zealand, the event aimed to empower participants to contribute meaningfully to Wikimedia projects. Throughout the day, participants explored the Wikimedia Commons workflow, learning how to take photos and turn them into valuable contributions on Wikidata and Wikipedia. The workshop included practical sessions on:
- Organising and uploading images to Wikimedia Commons, which involved creating new categories.
- Enhancing and creating entries on Wikidata, including the addition of relevant images.
- Utilising uploaded images to improve Wikipedia articles.
Mike Dickison's expertise was invaluable as he guided both seasoned editors and newcomers alike, helping them sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of how their contributions to Wikimedia projects help increase open knowledge.
The workshop concluded with lunch and a feedback session, where participants had the opportunity to share their thoughts and express interest in future Wikimedia initiatives. The event not only enhanced participants' skills but also provided an opportunity for the Adelaide editing community to get to know one another and connect with Wikimedia Australia staff and initiatives. See the meet up page.
Celebrating Women's Achievements: The Know My Name Campaign in 2025
In 2019, only 18% of biographies on Wikipedia were about women. Fast forward to late 2024, and thanks to dedicated efforts, that percentage reached 20%.
In response to this imbalance, Wikimedia Australia joined the "Know My Name" campaign in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia in 2020. This initiative aims to enhance the understanding and appreciation of work by Australian women artists, addressing their historical underrepresentation.
Since then, the campaign has hosted a series of successful edit-a-thons each March, coinciding with International Women’s Day. These events are not restricted to urban centres; they travel across regions to various locations hosting the "Know My Name" exhibition, ensuring that women's contributions to art are recognised nationwide.
On March 15, 2025, a recent edit-a-thon was held at the National Gallery of Australia Research Library, where 15 enthusiastic editors—many new to the process—gathered to add numerous women artists to Wikipedia. Read the full post on the Wikimedia Australia website.
