The Women of the River Country exhibition, which was developed by volunteers and staff of the Mannum Dock Museum west of Adelaide, opened at the Albury Library Museum on Friday.

It showcases stories of 19 influential women from the mid-1800s until today including Albury tennis legend Margaret Court, Wodonga Murray Grey breeder Helen Sutherland and a Towong Woman of High River Country Elyne Mitchell.

Mannum Dock Museum executive officer Deb Alexander said the project widened once people further upstream got wind of it.

“Once the river tom-toms started playing it was down the river before we knew it,” she said.

“It was the catalyst to create a brilliant exhibition that features heroines of the river country across the Murray Darling Basin.”

Mannum Dock Museum chairman Rob Bowring OAM said he was proud to have been involved in such an important project highlighting the amazing and sometimes untold achievements of women across the Murray Darling Basin.

“This project has captured the essence and highlights the importance of many remarkable women who have played a vital role in shaping our mighty river country,” he said.

“From early pioneers, to an internationally acclaimed sporting icon, to a world class musician, all of whom have connections with our magnificent riverscape.”

Among other entries are Pearl Wallace (Wentworth NSW and all the Murray/Darling) – First Woman River Captain; Ruby Hunter (Paringa) – Aboriginal singer, songwriter; Ivy Carr (Morgan) – Queen of Cuisine on the Murray; Mary Ann Randell (Mannum) – Murray River Mother; Jessie Wakefield (Goolwa) – World War I Heroine; Pauline Milich (Loxton) – Mother of 14, midwife to over 80 more; Hattie Schell and Hattie Sexton Schell (Mildura) – The Two Hatties.

The exhibition will tour three states and 16 venues in the next two years.

It runs at the Albury Library Museum until December 4.