Notable Alumnae

Our notable alumnae are a diverse group of remarkable women who have inspired, led, discovered and improved our world. We are proud and in awe of their achievements.

*Denotes final year of residence at The Women’s College

Some of the following Notable Alumnae have also received a Centenary Medal.

Judith Anderson OAM
1966
Citation: For service to the Queensland Ballet through administrative roles, and to women. (2012)
Pictured right

Dr Mary Atkinson OAM
1968

Citation: For service to veterinary science, particularly through the Moruya Veterinary Hospital. (2008)
Pictured left

Dr Sallyanne Atkinson AO
1960

Citation: In recognition of service to the community and local government. (1993)

For distinguished service to local government and to business. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Judith Bell AM
1965

Citation: For significant service to the administration of justice, to the visual arts, and to education. (2021)

For distinguished service to the community. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Anna Bligh AC
1978

Citation: For eminent service to the Parliament of Queensland, particularly as Premier, to infrastructure development and education reform, as an advocate for the role of women in public life, and to the not-for-profit sector. (2017)

Bobbie Brazil AO
1965

Citation: For distinguished service to tertiary education governance, to agricultural, environmental and resource management organisations, and to women in rural and regional areas. (2017)

For distinguished service to education as Deputy-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Margaret Cameron AM
1958
Deceased 2023

Citation: In recognition of service to library services, education and to ornithology. (1990)

Emilee Cherry OAM
2012

Citation: For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (2017)

Anne Clarke OAM
1961

Citation: For service to the environment and education through the monitoring, conservation, planning, rehabilitation and management of urban waterways. (2008)
Pictured middle

Adjunct Associate Professor Kate Copeland AM
1976

Citation: For significant service to health infrastructure planning and management. (2021)

Jeanette Covacevich AM PSM
1965
Deceased 2015
Citations:
AM: In recognition of service to science, particularly in the field of herpetology and to conservation. (1995)
PSM: For outstanding public service to the Queensland Museum, to the wider scientific community, and to the people of Queensland. (2003)

Emeritus Professor Teresa Cramond AO OBE
1946
Deceased 2015
Citations:
OBE: 1977
AO: In recognition of service to medicine, particularly in the field of anaesthesia and to the community. (1991)

Lesley Dalziel OAM
1964

Citation: For service to conservation and the environment. (2011)

For long service to the environment and establishment of the historical Light Horse Memorial Park. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Emeritus Professor Janet Delpratt AM
1955
Deceased 2023

Citation: For service to the performing arts and to music education as a teacher of voice. (2009)

Katherine (Kate) Eccles OAM
1965

Citation: For service to conservation and the environment. (2021)

 

Professor Judith Goh AO
1981

Citation: For distinguished service to gynaecological medicine, particularly in the field of fistula surgery, and to the promotion of the rights of women and children in developing countries. (2012)

Dr Debra Graves OAM
1981

Citation: For service to medical administration, particularly to pathology. (2023)

Deirdre Hargreaves OAM
1967

Citation: For service to the community of Ormiston. (2017)
Pictured left (standing)

Desley Hargreaves PSM
1970

Citation: For outstanding public service in major disaster and crisis management, and through support for the victims of the bombings which occurred in Bali on 12 October 2002 and for their families. (2003)

Joan Heatley OAM
1950

Citation: For service to the community of the Burdekin region, through social welfare and education groups. (2000)

For outstanding service as President of the Burdekin Community Association. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Joan Heatley on the cover of the Burdekin Community Association’s ‘Community Connections Magazine’ (2021)

Lisbeth Hopkins OAM
1941

Deceased 2015
Citation: For service to the University of Queensland, particularly through the annual Alumni Association Book Fair. (1991)
Lisbeth Hopkins (middle), with then Head of College Adj. Prof. Iyla Davies and Dr Alison Bruce (Lisbeth’s daughter; alumna 1970 – 1972).

Peta Jamieson OAM
1991

Citation: For service to community health, and to business. (2024)

Dr Aila Keto AO
1968

Citation: For service to conservation, particularly through promoting the protection and management of the wet tropical rainforests of Queensland. (1994)

For service as an expert on wet tropics and as a leading conservationist and academic. (Centenary Medal 2001)

The Reverend Dr Cecilie Marion Lander AM
1968

Citation: For significant service to neurological medicine, and to the Anglican Church of Australia. (2021)

For distinguished contribution and achievement in health and medicine. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Pictured middle (standing)

Emeritus Professor Helene Marsh AO
1964

Citation: For distinguished service to the biological and environmental sciences, to the conservation of marine mammals, and to tertiary education. (2021)

Dr Gabrielle Matters
1966

Citation: For distinguished service to education in Queensland. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Dr Ruth Molphy MBE
1942
Deceased 2011
Citation: For services to the medical profession. (1987)

Paula-Ann Nagel AM
1984

Citation: For significant service to higher education in South Australia, to the arts, and to the community. (2014)

Barbara Page-Hanify OAM
1953

Citation: For service to people with intellectual disability. (2024)

Cheryl Peers AM
1968

Citation: For significant service to primary education, particularly science, to curriculum development, and to professional organisations. (2014)
Pictured middle (back row)

Lesley Reece AM
1967

Citation: For significant service to children through improving literacy skills and promoting Australian authors and illustrators. (2015)

Elizabeth Scarce AM
1972

Citation: For significant service to the community of South Australia through a range of roles. (2021)

Joan Scott OAM
1962

Citation: For service to the community, and to local government. (2014)

Dr Else Shepherd AM
1961
Deceased 2023
Citation: For service to the engineering profession, particularly electrical and electronic engineering, to education, to the electricity distribution industry, and to the community. (2003)

For service to Australian society in information technology. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Maria Stevenson OAM
1959
Citation: For service to education. (2019)

Margaret Thorsborne OAM
1970

Citation: For service to education. (2022)

For distinguished service to conservation and the environment. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Ambassador Heidi Venamore PSM
1988

Citation: For outstanding public service in furthering Australia’s commercial, security, political and humanitarian interests under difficult and challenging circumstances in Iraq. (2016)

The Hon Penelope Wensley AC
1967

Citation: For eminent contribution to the people of Queensland, and to Australia’s international relations through senior diplomatic representational roles and as a key contributor to initiatives of the United Nations. (2011)

Ildikó Wetherell OAM
1964

Deceased 2019
Citation: For service to the Hungarian community in South Australia. (2012)

For service to the Hungarian community. (Centenary Medal 2001)

Adjunct Professor Jill Wilmoth AM
1967

Citation: For significant service to the community, and to the not-for-profit sector. (2013)

Professor Jill Wilson AO
1969
Deceased 2023
Citation: For service to the community in the development and delivery of new models of care through the social support sector of the Uniting Church in Australia. (2004)

Mary Woods OAM
1971

Citation: For service to conservation and the environment, particularly through Landcare. (2001)