In the documentary Utopia Girls, historian Dr Clare Wright guides us through the fascinating story of how Australian women became the first in the world to gain full political rights.

Recorded by the ABC in Sydney on 21 April 1944, Senator Dorothy Tangney reads the maiden speech that she originally presented in the Senate in Canberra on 24 September 194

Dame Enid Lyons reads her maiden speech, originally presented in the House of Representatives in Canberra on 29 September 1943.

Summary Maryanne Doyle

In his maiden speech to parliament, Mr Rudd (Bert Bailey) sets out his belief in 'the plain people’ as the backbone of Australian society.

Ann Rudd (Yvonne East) and Jim Webster (Grant Taylor) kiss on the terrace at the Webster’s swanky reception. Jim’s father Henry (Frank Harvey) is not impressed to see the Rudds at his party.

A delegation of local farmers asks Dad Rudd (Bert Bailey) to stand for the local seat, after the death of the sitting member.

This short film is actuality footage of Lord Lamington, Governor of Queensland, arriving by horse-drawn carriage to open Queensland Parliament on 18 May 1899.