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AAP
AAP
Politics
Benita Kolovos

Vic portraits honour trailblazer women MPs

Portraits of Lady Millie Peacock (pictured) and Pauline Toner were unveiled at Victorian parliament. (AAP)

The portraits of two trailblazing female politicians have been unveiled at Victoria's parliament.

The portraits of Lady Millie Peacock and Pauline Toner were unveiled in Queen's Hall on Thursday afternoon by Legislative Assembly Speaker Colin Brooks and Legislative Council President Nazih Elasmar.

Lady Peacock was elected to the Legislative Assembly in November 1933 and served in the Victorian parliament until February 1935.

She was the wife of Sir Alexander Peacock, a three-time premier of Victoria, and replaced him in parliament following a by-election after his death.

Ms Toner was appointed as Victoria's first female cabinet minister in April 1982 and served as the minister for community welfare services until March 1985.

"These two women led the way at the Victorian parliament and it is only fitting that we honour them with portraits for our art collection," Mr Brooks said in a statement.

"These portraits will help to ensure the achievements of these inspiring women are remembered and appreciated for a long time to come."

Mr Elasmar said it was important visitors to Parliament House get a "complete picture" of the many people who have helped to shape the state.

"With these two portraits we are taking a step forward to ensure parliament's art collection reflects the diversity of people who have played an important role in our state's history," he said.

Lady Peacock's portrait is by Andrew Mezei, a Melbourne-based artist who has paintings in Canberra's National Portrait Gallery, the Geelong Gallery and the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale.

Ms Toner's portrait is by Raelene Sharp, an Archibald Prize finalist and winner of the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award and Archibald Packing Room Prize.

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