Mon Feb 03 03:37:41 UTC 2025: ## Cricket Victoria to Honor Trailblazing Woman with Bronze Statue
**Melbourne, VIC** – Cricket Victoria (CV) announced today that Barbara Rae, a Bendigo local and pioneering figure in women’s cricket, will be commemorated with a bronze statue. The statue is part of the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program, initiated by the Allan Labor Government.
Rae, who captained the winning team in Australia’s first women’s cricket match in 1874, will be recognized for her significant contributions to the sport at a time when women faced barriers to participation. Her statue will have a permanent home in Bendigo, where the historic match took place.
The $1.2 million program, which received over 10,000 votes from Victorian residents, aims to increase the representation of women in public art and challenge gender stereotypes. Rae’s statue is the first of six projects to be completed as part of the initiative.
Meanwhile, Cricket Victoria continues to operate from its headquarters at the CitiPower Centre at Junction Oval in St Kilda. The center offers various services, including event spaces, high-performance training facilities, and a health club. CV also provides resources for club management, grant applications, coaching, umpiring, and junior player development. Further information, including contact details and the CV annual report, can be found on their website.
First Piper 