Inspirational Monash women honoured

Eight of the 20 outstanding females inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women this year are members of the Monash University community. 

Victorian Minister for Women's Affairs Ms Mary Wooldridge announced the 2011 inductees at a special ceremony on 16 March.

Ms Wooldridge congratulated the inductees who came from right across Victoria.

“The Victorian Honour Roll of Women is so important as it acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of inspirational women in Victoria and ensures that the legacy of these women is recorded and passed on to future generations,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Among those recognised include director of the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre and Monash graduate Professor Jayashri Kulkarni (MBBS 1981, MPM 1989, PhD Med 1998). Professor Kulkarni was recognised for work in the treatment of mental health.

Dr Paula Gerber (LLM 2003) from the Faculty of Law was recognised as a champion for women working in construction and as founder of the National Association of Women in Construction and board member of the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

Businesswoman and Monash alumna Ms Carol Schwartz AM (BA 1977, LLB 1978, MBA 1988) was recognised. The founder of Our Community, Carol is a pioneer in developing social enterprise organisations in Australia and a champion of women’s leadership.

Berry Street CEO Sandra de Wolf AM (BA(Hons) 1971) was recognised for her work improving life opportunities for children, young people and families.

Inspirational leader and innovator in vocational and tertiary education, Virginia Simmons AO (BA 1969, DipEd 1970) was honoured as the first female Director of a TAFE Institution in Victoria and longest serving female TAFE CEO.

Alumna Dale Fisher (MBA 2002), the first female Chief Executive of the Royal Women’s Hospital, was honoured for improving women’s health care.

Jane Scarlett AM (Bjuris 1982) was posthumously honoured for her dedication to the Girl Guides and the Salvation Army, and her work as a teacher.

Brenda Richards (BSocWk 1977), founding member and inaugural treasurer of the Council of Single Mothers and their Children (CSMC), was recognised for developing the Family Step Program in the Children’s Court, which supports step-families whose children are before the courts.

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, 478 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), GP and media commentator Dr Sally Cockburn (MBBS 1982), and health expert Dr Joanne Wainer (PhD(Med) 2005).