About
The Helen McBride Annual Lecture is a celebration of knowledge, inspired leadership, and enduring legacy – bringing distinguished guest speakers to The Women’s College to share powerful ideas and perspectives with our community.
Established in 2025, this signature event honours Helen McBride’s remarkable contribution to the College, while creating a platform for thought leadership, meaningful dialogue, and intellectual engagement.
Each year, the Lecture aims to inspire current students, connect alumnae, and enrich the broader College community through compelling keynote addresses that challenge, inform, and inspire.
History
2025
Date: Wednesday 24 September
Guest lecturer: Professor Ruth Dill-Macky (1981 – 1983)
Topic: Microscopic Challenges – Global Impact: Defending the World's Cereal Crops Against Microbial Challenges
We welcomed 2025 Alumna of the Year Professor Ruth Dill-Macky for a powerful keynote address on global food security and the future of agriculture. Based at the University of Minnesota, Ruth is a world leader in plant pathology. Ruth spoke about the ongoing threats to food crops and production, the cooperative approaches being used to understand and control plant diseases, and the importance of mentoring the next generation of researchers.
2026 Lecture
This year's lecture will take place on Wednesday 23 September 2026. Our guest lecturer will be 2026 Alumna of the Year Kristie Young (1992 – 1994).
In Critical Minerals, Critical Decisions: Leading Through the Next Resources Era, Kristie Young will draw on her leadership experience in the global mining and resources sector to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry's future.
From lithium and rare earths to the technologies that power our everyday lives, critical minerals are shaping the future of the global economy. In this Helen McBride Annual Lecture, Kristie will share her perspective on the evolving role of mining in a rapidly changing world, and the leadership required to navigate it. Blending industry insight with personal experience, she challenges the next generation to think boldly about their role in shaping industries, communities, and the future.