'Radical Women' by Kay Abude (2026)
- Bass Coast Shire Council
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Radical Women
By Kay Abude
2026 Bass Coast Shire Council Public Art Commission.
Supported by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund.
Public Art Launch
Bass Coast Cultural Venues is delighted to invite you to the launch of Radical Women – a new public artwork celebrating the legacy of the Wonthaggi Miners’ Women’s Auxiliary.
Image 1: Creative workshop work-in-progress, The Union Theatre, January 2026. Photo: Karli Duckett
'Radical Women'
By Kay Abude
Public Art Opening Ceremony
18 July | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | FREE
2:00pm Apex Park, Wonthaggi
2:45pm The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi
Victorian Women’s Public Art Program
In 2025, Bass Coast Shire Council was awarded one of six new public artwork commissions funded through the Victorian Women's Public Art Program. As part of the Victorian Government’s gender equality strategy, the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program aims to elevate women’s achievements and contributions to public life, which have been historically overlooked.
Council’s successful proposal is to commission a new public artwork to celebrate community actions by the Wonthaggi Women’s Auxiliary during a five-month long miners’ strike which brought Wonthaggi to a standstill in 1934. The artwork is located at The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi.
Wonthaggi Miners Women’s Auxiliary
The Wonthaggi Miners' Women’s Auxiliary was founded in 1934, during the Wonthaggi Coal Strike which lasted for five months. Miners’ wives established the auxiliary – the first of its kind in Australia. The Wonthaggi Miner’s Women’s Auxiliary had a profound role in keeping the community active and thriving during this time of crisis for the town. Their advocacy and agitation for social justice, and work to educate other women on political and industrial issues, contributed to a resilient regional centre and influenced the character of Wonthaggi for generations to come.
About the artist
Kay Abude
Kay Abude’s practice investigates the value of labour, resilience, and collective action – themes that are deeply aligned with the activities of the Wonthaggi Miners’ Women’s Auxiliary.
For this project, Kay connected deeply with local people as “the story of the Wonthaggi Miners Women's Auxiliary belongs to them”.
Community members participated in a series of workshops to share their knowledge, memories and perspectives. The creative process involved research with the Wonthaggi & District Historical Society, screen printing archival imagery onto textiles and paper, using inks made of black coal from the State Mine, collage and sewing techniques to create compositions that Kay worked into the final design.
Together, Kay and the community have developed a contemporary artwork that celebrates the historical and ongoing significance of women’s collective action in Wonthaggi.
The Union Theatre
The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi, was built in 1925 by the Miners’ Union. During the 1934 Wonthaggi Coal Strike, the building was used as makeshift Union offices and a community hub for ration distribution and political meetings, as well as the venue for local entertainment. The Women’s Auxiliary met in the basement of the Union Theatre during this time.
The original building stood until 1980 when it was destroyed by a fire. However, through the commitment of the then Borough of Wonthaggi, the theatre was rebuilt and opened in 1982. Today, the centre is managed by Bass Coast Shire Council who provide a full program of live performance theatre, music and bands, cinema and community events. The premier civic cultural centre in Bass Coast, The Union Theatre celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025.
Opening Ceremony: Saturday 18 July
Join us to celebrate with the artists and community!
2pm: Gather at Apex Park
Welcome to Country
Mayor Cr Brett Tessari
Music by Invy Horn Jam – leading a procession from Apex Park to The Union
2.45pm: The Union Theatre
MP Jordan Crugnale
CEO Greg Box
Artist Kay Abude
Radical Women was made by Kay Abude in collaboration with: Wendy Anderson, Jayne Benson, Lyndal Chambers, Doris Chambers, Susan Clark, Karli Duckett, Danica Miller, Barbara Moje, Fay Quilford, Stewart Russell, Corinn Strating, Nicola Strating, Brook Tayla, Amrita Taylor.
'Radical Women'
By Kay Abude
Public Art Opening Ceremony
18 July | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | FREE
2:00pm Apex Park, Wonthaggi
2:45pm The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi
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