In the second half of the 19th century, Diamantina Bowen, Sister Ellen Whitty and Eliza O'Connell battled indifference and prejudice to improve health care, the arts and education in Brisbane. Crossing the sectarian divide, they often worked together, and their letters and diaries reveal a fascinating story of struggle to improve lives in a rapidly growing town. My new book, Civilising Brisbane tells the story of three colonial women who changed the face of the city.