An evening with Louisa: honouring the life and achievements of Louisa Anne Meredith

When Louisa Anne Meredith first arrived in colonial Australia she was already an accomplished author and during the remainder of her life here her talents as a gifted painter and illustrator would receive equally high acclaim. At the heart of her work was her love of nature and through her prolific writings and social commentary, she constantly advocated for the protection of animals and their environments, making her one of Australia’s foremost colonial conservationists. Louisa’s legacy remains vibrant through her art and writings as a gift to the nation. She stands as a beacon for women of her time and those after.
As a generous benefactor and contributor to the Royal Society of Tasmania, Louisa Anne Meredith was awarded Honorary Membership in 1881. In 2023, in recognition of her outstanding achievements, the Society established the Louisa Anne Meredith Medal to be awarded to similarly worthy recipients. The medal was announced at Government House in a gala celebratory event An Evening with Louisa, which included a fitting tribute in the form of a masque performance. The event also raised funds for the conservation and restoration of the Society’s extensive Art Collection which includes over 250 of her watercolours and sketches.