Скачать или смотреть QSA Talks: Occupations for Ladies - entrepreneurial women in Brisbane’s nineteenth-century arcades

In December 1877, the Royal Exhibition Arcade—the first of its kind in Brisbane—opened near the corner of Queen and Edward Streets. Inspired by the grand arcades of Europe and Britain, these elegant spaces quickly became bustling centres of commerce and leisure, celebrated for their sophistication and their role in shaping the economic growth of the young colony. But beyond the stylish shopfronts and fashionable crowds, these arcades also provided opportunities for a very different kind of trailblazer: entrepreneurial women.

Often seen simply as shoppers, women in fact played vital roles in the life of Brisbane’s arcades—as shopkeepers, professionals, and pioneers in their own right. From milliners and dressmakers to fruiterers, music teachers, hairdressers, clairvoyants, and even employment agents, these women forged independent careers and managed thriving businesses—often without the backing of a male relative.

In this engaging talk, urban historian Dr Nicole Davis introduces us to the remarkable businesswomen who shaped Brisbane’s arcades and, with them, the city’s early commercial landscape. Through their stories, we uncover the ingenuity, resilience and ambition that defined their place in Brisbane’s economic and social fabric.

About the speaker
Dr Nicole Davis is an urban historian and Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. She holds a PhD in History from the University of Melbourne, where her thesis examined the social, economic and architectural history of nineteenth-century Australian arcades through a global lens.

With a Masters in Museum Studies and extensive experience in major cultural institutions, Dr Davis brings deep expertise in urban, retail, and heritage history. She regularly collaborates on academic and commercial history projects, and is passionate about sharing historical insights with the broader community through exhibitions, talks, and public engagement.