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Petrol-powered feminist icon celebrated on stage

‘Garage Girls’ explores the life and times of mechanic, inventor and businesswoman Alice Anderson, who established Australia’s first all-female garage in 1919.

19 Jul 2023 3:44

Spiro Economopoulos

A white woman wearing motoring goggles holds a steering wheel. Her head is thrown back, her long hair blowing in the wind, and she is laughing or shouting exuberantly.

Performing Arts

Photo: Tony Rive.

The remarkable life of trailblazing feminist icon Alice Anderson, mechanic, inventor, businesswoman and unconventional member of the Lyceum Club (an arts, literature and social activism group for women only) is being brought to loving life by La Mama in collaboration with Three Birds Theatre and The Shift Theatre.

Anderson’s passion for motor vehicles was ignited while working as a secretary in her father’s motoring business. Due to financial reasons, she had to quit her secondary school education, but this unfortunate set of circumstances led to Anderson developing her own business in the emerging field of motor vehicle servicing and repairs.

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Spiro Economopoulos

Spiro Economopoulos was the Program Director for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival for 7+ years. Previously he was part of the film programming and exhibitions team at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. He also led the programming for the Dungog Film Festival, has written plays for Melbourne Workers Theatre, directed and written short films for SBS and is a regular freelance film reviewer.