Victoria honours Monash women

April 2008

Dr Beth Wilson

Two Monash University alumnae were inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women last month to mark International Women’s Day (8 March).

Monash Engineering Associate Professor Jean Armstrong (PhD(Eng) 1993) and Victorian Health Services Commissioner Dr Beth Wilson (BA 1975, LLB 1977) were among 30 leading women added to the Roll this year. The 2008 inductees were announced by Victorian Minister for Women’s Affairs Maxine Morand.

Dr Wilson receives and resolves complaints about health service providers, with the aim of improving the quality of health services for Victorians. She spoke at the International Women’s Day event at Monash’s Caulfield campus and said she is proud of the recent achievements of women.

“We’ve come an enormous way since women were given the right to vote.”

Professor Jean Armstrong

“When I was studying law, I didn’t know one female lawyer. Before long, they are senior associates in some of the biggest and most prestigious law firms and are raising their own families,” said Dr Wilson.

Monash’s alumnae are currently Victoria’s Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.

Associate Professor Armstrong was inducted on the Honour Roll, in particular, for her contribution to engineering research. Her most recent research in digital communications has focused on the modulation technique used in many new broadband communication schemes including digital television, digital audio broadcasting, ADSL and wireless LANs.

“When I chose to study engineering, it was a very unusual career choice for women.”

“I hope that my work to mentor young female engineers has helped to open up opportunities for them and make their path easier,” said Associate Professor Armstrong.

The Victorian Honour Roll of Women began in 2001 as part of the state’s Centenary of Federation celebrations. The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of women from all walks of life.

To date, 420 women have been inducted on the Victorian Honour Roll. Monash alumnae on the Roll include company director Ms Margaret Jackson AC (BEc 1973, HonLLD 2002), philanthropist Ms Jill Reichstein OAM (BA(Hons) 1974) and health expert Dr Joanne Wainer (PhD(Med) 2005).

Links:

Victorian Honour Roll of Women website