THE Supermum family outback adventures may be over for now, but memories of the travels still linger.

I mentioned in last week's column a visit to the Australian Workers Heritage Centre in Barcaldine.

The centre is dedicated to telling stories of the "ordinary working people"; the workers who shaped our nation and made it what it is today.

There have been lots of controversial topics talked about in my circle of friends of late; from same-sex marriage to climate change, alternative energy production and changes in technology… and after seeing the history on display in the centre I can't help but be reminded of how much times have changed.

Most of these topics wouldn't even be talked about if it wasn't for ordinary everyday people who stood up and demanded change.

Like same-sex marriage.

Opponents often argue that marriage has always been between a man and a woman and that it should stay that way.

However, the marriage ideology has evolved and already undergone changes.

When I get married in just over two months' time I will not be my husband's legal property.

That wasn't always the case for some of our ancestors.

If I was marrying someone of a different race, that would be perfectly okay. That also wasn't always the case either.

One day our children's children will probably be talking about those "old days" before same-sex marriage was legalised.

Women's issues have come a long way too.

It was only in 1902 women were given the right to vote in a federal election in Australia.

That is, unless you were indigenous Australians, or of Asian, African or Pacific Islander descent.

It was only in the 1960s that if you were a working female you were expected to give up your job if you got married.

What about mental illness.

Once upon a terrible time those with mental illness were institutionalised; locked away.

How they were treated is truly shocking.

Luckily times have changed.

We have all the amazing "ordinary working people" to thank for so much.