The subdivision of the former tennis courts in Beechworth for housing will create a new road off Albert Road; council sought naming ideas from the community.

It was initially suggested that the new road off Albert Road be named Burke Court, but the Stanley Athenaeum raised the under-representation of women.

Chris Dormer of the Friends of Stanley Athenaeum said the group put forward Margaret Winning for recognition.

"She was the matron of the Ovens Hospital and would have been one of the early women to be in a position like that," she said.

"It's been a bit of a mission to recognise some of the women who have done important things in Beechworth."

The group have worked on a women's project for more than five years, presenting the exhibition Hearts of Gold: Minds of Mettle and publishing a book with the same title.

They put in their submission that Robert O'Hara Burke was already remembered with the Burke Museum.

"In Melbourne, there are more sculptures of racehorses than there are of women," Ms Dormer said.

Margaret Winning emigrated to Australia with her father and siblings from Scotland in 1881.

At the age of 35, she moved to Beechworth and resided in the nurse's quarters of the hospital, being appointed Matron in 1899 and then overseeing the training of probationary nurses, 15 of whom went on to serve in World War I.

In 1916, Matron Winning was nominated as Queen of Charity for the Diamond Jubilee.

She battled tuberculosis in 1918 and died a year later.

The idea to name the new road Winning Court was considered a good one by councillor Larry Goldsworthy.

"She's made quite the contribution and I think it's about time we started to honour some of our women from our past," he said.

Councillor Diane Shepheard praised the women for their advocacy.

"I thank the great women of the Stanley Athenaeum, who got up in arms about Burke yet again having his name on something and put in a great submission," she said.

IN OTHER NEWS:

With the endorsement from council, the proposed name will be advertised and a further report will be presented to council to make a final decision.

The Beechworth Lawn Tennis Club had requested the name Clothier Court, after Kathleen Clothier who worked closely with the club and died of breast cancer in 2007.

"Curious future generations will discover an immensely inspiring story behind the name, one of giving wholeheartedly to the benefit of your community, even in the direst of personal circumstances," their submission stated.