International Women's Day: Inner Song A Biography of Margaret Sutherland

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Jillian Graham, International Women's Day
Did Margaret Sutherland achieve more for Australian music than any other composer?
Margaret Sutherland was one of the most innovative and influential Australian composers. In the first half of the twentieth century, her desire to be both serious composer and mother was atypical, and she faced significant challenges - public and private - in blending these roles.

Against the backdrop of an unhappy and unsupportive marriage and a society not yet ready to accept her creative ambitions and strong views on Australia's musical development, she remained admirably steadfast in pursuing her goals.

Sutherland created over two hundred compositions, ceaselessly campaigned on behalf of Australian music and musicians, and led the initial push to construct what is now Arts Centre Melbourne.

M.C. Terry Kitchen

Photo: M.U.P.