St Kilda in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
A most resolute lady
| — | Yalukut Willam - The River People of Port Phillip | — |
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
1. A most resolute lady Marker
As a young girl, Louisa, and her family were kidnapped by sealers and taken to the Bass Strait to work as slaves. In 1848, Louisa returned to her country with her Aunt and her husband John Briggs.
Louisa was an activist and her descendants continue to make a significant contribution to Victorian culture.
An account of Louisa's role at Corranderk Aboriginal Mission appeared in the Argus newspaper in 1876:
"She is matron of the establishment, on a salary of 10 shillings a week and manages the affairs of the children and young people "in school" with the utmost vigilance and much success. She is their cook and laundress and general monitor and governate. She is also the accoucheuse [midwife] in ordinary of the establishment, the general nurse in sickness, and a hand and vigorous all-round administrator."
Erected by City of Port Phillip. (Marker Number 21.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 37° 51.87′ S,
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Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Crew of the H.M.S. Endeavour (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir William Rooke Creswell (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Great War and World War II - St Kilda (about 210 meters away); Jupiter (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Catani Archway (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Saturn (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Great Scenic Railway (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Councillor Edward O'Donnell (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St Kilda.
Also see . . . Louisa Briggs (1836–1925).
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
2. A most resolute lady Marker - reverse
Louisa Briggs (1836-1925), Aboriginal leader, dormitory matron and nurse, was born on 14 November 1836 on Preservation Island, Bass Strait, daughter of John Strugnell, a sealer, and Mary (Polly) Munro. Strugnell, as a 17-year-old London chimney sweep, had been transported in 1818. Polly was probably the daughter of James Munro, another sealer, and Doog-by-er-um-bor-oke (Margery Munro), a Woirorung woman kidnapped from Port Phillip.(Submitted on October 31, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
Louisa was an attractive woman with blue eyes and dark, wavy hair with a distinctive white streak. In 1853 she married John Briggs, the son of a Tasmanian Aboriginal woman and a sealer. Briggs was formerly married to Louisa's aunt Ann Munro. He and Louisa joined the gold rush in Victoria and worked as shepherds in the Beaufort district and for a squatter near Violet Town until the late 1860s. Between 1853 and 1871 they had nine children. Work was scarce and in 1871 the destitute family joined Coranderrk Aboriginal station, near Healesville.
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
3. A most resolute lady Marker near the entrance to ST Kilda Pier
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
