By Roselyn Fauth
Scroll through the South Canterbury Hall of Fame online and you’ll see the names of people who shaped our district and made their mark on the world. But look closer and you’ll notice something striking: almost every name belongs to a man. Out of 77 people recognised, only 7 are women!
The Hall of Fame was the initiative of Mr C Russell Hervey when he was Mayor of Timaru City between 1971 and 1977. It was officially opened on 26 September 1986 by Mayor Mrs DHL McIver, created to recognise the significant achievements of citizens of the Timaru district.
The Hall recognises persons of prominent international standing, international sportspersons or administrators, and nationally recognised notable New Zealanders. To qualify, a person must have been born in South Canterbury, or lived here for a significant portion of their life. An advisory committee researches candidates, and a Council selection committee makes the final decisions. Today, the Hall of Fame can be viewed on the Timaru District Council website, making it accessible to anyone who wants to learn about the people who helped shape our region.
When young women see role models from their own community, they start to believe that they, too, can change the world, so how to we lift inpsiring women from the margins to the page...
Our Hall of Fame should reflect all the voices that built South Canterbury, not just half of them. Here is a breakdown:
Category One: Persons of Prominent International Standing
13 men, 0 women
Category Two: International Sportspersons or Administrators
11 men, 2 women (Jorja Miller, Nicole Begg)
Category Three: Nationally Recognised Notable New Zealanders
46 men, 5 women (Dr Margaret Cruickshank, Muriel Hilton, Jessie Mackay, Dr Erihapeti Elizabeth, Anna Richards)
Overall: 70 men and 7 women.
The stories we choose to remember are the stories that will inspire the next generation.
Although small in number, the women already in the Hall of Fame show the breadth of achievement South Canterbury women have made.
- Dr Margaret Cruickshank was New Zealand’s first woman doctor, remembered for her dedication to her patients in Waimate and her leadership during the 1918 influenza pandemic.
- Muriel Hilton was New Zealand’s first female city mayor, serving as Mayor of Timaru from 1959 to 1962, paving the way for women in civic leadership.
- Jessie Mackay was a pioneering poet, journalist and suffragist, whose words and activism gave voice to women’s rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Dr Erihapeti (Elizabeth) Ramsden was a respected academic and advocate for Māori education and health, whose work built bridges of understanding.
- Anna Richards is an outstanding sportswoman, widely recognised for her achievements in women’s rugby at a national and international level.
- Jorja Miller represents a new generation of athletic talent, representing South Canterbury in international sevens rugby.
- Nicole Begg is a world-class inline speed skater, who has proudly carried Timaru’s name onto the global sporting stage.
These seven women show us what’s possible, but they are only a starting point. Our region’s history and present are filled with wāhine toa whose names are not yet recognised in the Hall of Fame.
Recognising women isn’t just about fairness — it’s about telling the truth of our history.
Recognition in the Hall of Fame is more than just a name on a website. It is public acknowledgment that someone’s achievements have shaped our region, inspired our community and contributed to New Zealand’s story. Representation matters. When women’s achievements are under-recognised, we risk sending a message that their contributions are less significant or less valued.And yet, our local history is full of remarkable women. They were mothers and educators, health advocates and carers, artists and athletes. They were scientists and innovators, pilots who broke barriers, writers and journalists who gave voice to their times, and entrepreneurs who built opportunities from the ground up. They were politicians and campaigners who stood for change, healers and nurses who carried communities through hard times, and volunteers whose quiet efforts held organisations together. They were leaders and pioneers who challenged expectations, lifted others, and left a lasting legacy.
Can we work together to share their stories and raise their profile?
- First, nominate more women. The Hall of Fame relies on community nominations. Anyone can put a name forward, but it must be in writing to the Chief Executive of the Timaru District Council. If you know of a local woman whose impact has been significant, whether she was a trailblazer in her field, an international achiever, or a nationally recognised leader, consider nominating her.
- Second, tell their stories. Recognition doesn’t only happen in official listings. Sharing women’s stories in blogs, social media, classrooms and community events helps to highlight the breadth of their contributions.
- Third, think broadly. Achievement comes in many forms. Sometimes the quiet changemakers, those who worked behind the scenes or within communities, have had as much impact as those who became household names.
- Finally, involve the next generation. Schools, youth groups and community organisations can play a role in uncovering and championing women’s stories. When young people research and present the lives of past and present local women, it ensures those stories live on.
"What inspires me is knowing that when we recognise more women, we’re not only honouring the past — we’re showing the next generation that their contributions matter too."
I believe that by reflecting on people in our past, we can learn where we have come from and who we are today. I think this is important because it helps us shape our goals, and it shows us how the choices we make can ripple out to those around us and to the generations who come after us.
This matters because what we choose to remember becomes part of who we are. If we overlook women’s stories, we risk telling only half the story of South Canterbury, and future generations won’t see the full picture of what shaped this place. Representation isn’t just about fairness, it’s about truth.
It’s important because when we see people like us in places of honour, it shows us what’s possible. Young women growing up here deserve to see that their voices, their work, and their achievements are valued just as much as the men who came before them.
It’s also important because remembering isn’t passive... it shapes our future. By acknowledging a wider range of achievements, we broaden what success looks like and we encourage different kinds of leadership. The Hall of Fame is more than names on a website; it’s a mirror of what our community values. If we want that mirror to reflect us honestly, we need to make sure women are part of the picture.
Reflecting on their lives and legacy makes me think about my own contribution. None of us know how far the ripple of our actions will reach... whether in our families, our workplaces, or our communities. I think many of the women who came before us often didn’t set out to make history; they simply followed their calling, cared deeply, or stood up when it mattered. And yet, their courage and commitment continue to shape South Canterbury today.
It reminds me that each of us has the chance to leave something behind that matters. By recognising and remembering these women, we not only honour them, but we also challenge ourselves to consider the kind of legacy we want to create.