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2008 Monster Petition Project Banners

In 2008, Victoria celebrated the 100th anniversary of most women gaining the right to vote in Victorian Parliamentary elections. This hard-earned victory did not include all women, as most Indigenous women did not fully participate until the 1960s.

The Victorian Government marked this democratic milestone with a program of events and initiatives – 'Victorian Women Vote 1908-2008: Knowing our past, transforming out future'. One of these initiatives was the 2008 Monster Petition Project.

Calico banners displaying the Victorian Women Vote 1908-2008 logo travelled to metropolitan, rural and regional areas in Victoria. Victorians were invited to sign these as a way of marking the centenary of women’s suffrage in Victoria

The aim was to collect 30,000 signatures in acknowledgment of the achievement of the original 1891 Monster Petition and as a commitment to pursuing equality for women in all aspects of Victorian life.

Unanticipated interest the 2008 Monster Petition project saw the number of banners increase from the original 20 to 358. If sewn together the 2008 Monster Petition banner would be 450 metre in length.

So far, over 33,000 signatures have been counted from 295 banners.

A selection of 12 banners are presented here, including the Head Banner signed by the Premier of Victoria and the Minister for Women's Affairs.