Maggie Moloney, one of the pioneering women of the Rugby League, has finally gotten a fitting tribute in her hometown of Redfern after her mural has been completed by street artist Sharon Billinge.
Found at the back wall of Vinnies Redfern along James St, the mural was placed on this site because it was the street where the sportswoman grew up and practiced her skills.
Redfern historian Katherine Haines worked with Ms Billinge for the mural, alongside 107 Projects, which launched the Rugby Girls Street Mural Project initiative to protect the legacy of female Rugby players.
Ms Moloney’s granddaughter, Karen Heard, said that she’s sure her grandmother would say, “What’s all this hooha?” towards her mural. But Billinge said Ms Heard was in tears when she saw the mural for the first time.
“We had family there today from 93 years of age to just 7 months young,” Jo Black, another relative of Ms Moloney, said.
“Aunty Karen represented our family and spoke of our iconic great-grandmother. It was a huge day and I’m honoured and so so proud to be in a family of a strong incredible woman.”
In 1921, Maggie Moloney, then 15 years old, wowed more than 20,000 spectators at the first official women’s rugby match and carried her team, the Metropolitan Blues, to victory against the Sydney Reds.
She was dubbed the “feminine Dally Messenger.” Mr Messenger was one of Australasia’s most accomplished professional rugby players and heavily supported the women’s league.
Ms Haines said that Maggie Moloney’s mural will be an inspiration to many young women who love the sports and could perhaps inspire a Maggie M Medal for NRLW participants, who are presently given a Dally M Medal.