Though greatly outnumbered by men, there have been significant numbers of female publicans serving Toowoomba over the years since its foundation.

Those 'Women Behind the Bar' – some 400 of about 1,600 Toowoomba publicans in total – will be the focus of a talk to the Toowoomba Historical Society by society vice-president Emeritus Professor Maurice French.

While many were partners in the hotel business – with husbands or other family members – there were also those women who ran their establishments independently and successfully, making their mark in what has traditionally been largely a male-dominated environment.

The talk comes ahead of the imminent launch of the 2-volume Bar and Boniface: A Compendium of Toowoomba’s Pubs and Publicans 1844-2020, co-authored by Prof French and his wife, Judy Brewer.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the talk at Toowoomba Historical Society rooms, 49 Lindsay St, at 1.30pm Monday, 20 June 2022.

Orders for the books can be processed after the talk. Light refreshments will be served.