From Australia’s first female company director to the woman-led mill that produced a family dynasty and revolutionised baking with pre-mix recipes, to the mum of four becoming an international cake mogul - we look at how three women of Queensland have shaped and been shaped by cakes.  
Kate Atkinson (nee Maclurcan) - great-granddaughter of Hannah Maclurcan, author of Mrs Maclurcan's Cookery Book: A Collection of Practical Recipes, Specifically Suitable for Australia (Townsville, 1898) and company director of the Wentworth Hotel, reflects on her life.  
Ellen Morosini (nee O’Brien) - great-granddaughter of Ellen O’Brien, founder of Defiance Mill in Toowoomba, talks about how a widowed mother of ten ran the mill and created a dynasty. 
Cassie Watene - Founder of Cas Cakery talks about starting an internationally successful business from Emerald, in regional Queensland.  
 Check out Kaitlyn’s sad version of a heart-shaped cake, versus Cas’ beautiful one and her classes here.  

Cake the podcast

State Library of Queensland

A Woman’s Place is in the Boardroom

NOV 21, 202329 MIN
Cake the podcast

A Woman’s Place is in the Boardroom

NOV 21, 202329 MIN

Description

From Australia’s first female company director to the woman-led mill that produced a family dynasty and revolutionised baking with pre-mix recipes, to the mum of four becoming an international cake mogul - we look at how three women of Queensland have shaped and been shaped by cakes.  

  • Kate Atkinson (nee Maclurcan) - great-granddaughter of Hannah Maclurcan, author of Mrs Maclurcan's Cookery Book: A Collection of Practical Recipes, Specifically Suitable for Australia (Townsville, 1898) and company director of the Wentworth Hotel, reflects on her life.  
  • Ellen Morosini (nee O’Brien) - great-granddaughter of Ellen O’Brien, founder of Defiance Mill in Toowoomba, talks about how a widowed mother of ten ran the mill and created a dynasty. 
  • Cassie Watene - Founder of Cas Cakery talks about starting an internationally successful business from Emerald, in regional Queensland.  

 Check out Kaitlyn’s sad version of a heart-shaped cake, versus Cas’ beautiful one and her classes here.