MLC School Old Girl, Taylor Hill (2014), is paving the way for women in the scenery construction industry. In 2017, Taylor became the first-ever woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Staging) from NIDA. In a predominantly male-dominated industry, Taylor is paving the way for young women to make a difference and achieve their professional goals in scenery construction.
Amie Thompson (2013) is an Artistic Swimmer who competed in the Artistic Swimming team event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In 2021, Amie was co-captain of the Australian Artistic Swimming team at the (covid-19 postponed) 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She took part in both the Team and the Duet events.
Jessica Ashwood (2011) represented Australia in Freestyle Swimming at two Olympic Games – London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, winning Silver at Rio in the women’s 4 x 200m relay. In the 2015 World Championships she set new Australian records in the 400m Freestyle and in the 1500m Freestyle, and at the 2018 Commonwealth Games she won Silver in Women’s 800m Freestyle.
In 2011 Nikita received the MLC School Prize for the highest university admissions rank. She went on to complete a degree in Social Anthropology at Cambridge University, UK and is now a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Elisa Barnard (2010) competed in the Recurve Archery Individual event at the 2012 London Olympic Games. That year, Elisa also won both the National and Oceania Championships.
Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music, London, Emily Sun (2009) is known internationally for her interpretations of both new and classic repertoire. Her versatility as soloist, chamber musician and recitalist has kept Emily in demand and led to her performing with leading orchestras and festivals across Europe, the USA, Asia and Australasia.
Keesja Gofers (2007) made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as a driver for the Australian Women’s Water Polo team. In 2021 she was part of the Women’s Group A Water Polo (Stingers) team for the (Covid-19 postponed) 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and in 2024, at her third Olympic Games in Paris, her team won a Silver medal.
Old Girl, 2006 Vice Captain and future parent, Elicia McDonald (Fowler, 2006), is leading the way for women in the male-dominated industry of venture capital.
Technology, public speaking and trade fairs – how unique MLC School experiences shaped Sapna's success.
Taniele Gofers (2003) was a member of the Australian Water Polo team who won Bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She was also a part of the FINA World Cup winning Australian team in 2006 which was ranked the number one women’s water polo team in the world.
Penelope (Penny) Blackmore (2002) was an Individual Rhythmic Gymnast who represented Australia in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. She was crowned the Australian National All-Around Champion in 2003, and in 2004 she again won the Australian National Championships.
Felicity Lemke OAM (Galvez, 2002) was a member of the Australian Olympic swimming team for both the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The 2004 and 2008 Games were not Felicity’s first Olympic experience. In 2000, during the Sydney Olympic Games, Felicity was one of three MLC School girls selected to be a torchbearer Escort Runner. She was selected in recognition of her hard work and her demonstration of community and School values.
Multi-award winning rower, Elizabeth (Liz) Kell (2001) represented Australia in Rowing at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Professor Elizabeth (Liz) New OAM (2000) is one of Australia’s leading inorganic chemists who is internationally recognised for her research and teaching excellence. She is regularly invited to present at major international conferences and has won many national and international awards. Liz works to bring together researchers from different disciplines to discuss innovative ways to approach ideas and to lead new initiatives.
Andrea Lam (1999) is an internationally renowned and multi award-winning pianist who the Wall Street Journal has called a ‘real talent’.
Gillian Foster (Thomson, 1994) represented Australia in Soccer at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Elysia’s success at school and beyond is an example of how MLC School has always supported its students to achieve in academia while also pursuing and competing in elite sport.
Olympian Vanessa Baker (1992) represented Australia in the 10 metre platform diving event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She also competed at two Commonwealth Games and many national and international championships.
Alison Mirams (Hocking, 1991) B.Build (UTS), Grad Dip UEM (UTS), GAICD has had a remarkably successful career in property construction. When she was 32 she became a Director at Multiplex and was the first woman and the youngest person worldwide to hold this role.
Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics and Environmental Science of the American University of Paris.
Hsu-Ming’s BA (Hons, Class 1) won her the Sydney University Medal in 1994. Four years later she completed her History PhD (1998). Now Hsu-Ming is an Associate Professor at Macquarie University and an award-winning writer.
Kristi Jones (1984) has dedicated her medical career to improving outcomes for parents and children through her groundbreaking work on paediatric genetics. At The Children’s Hospital at Westmead she leads the Neuroscience (neurogenetics/neuromuscular) Centre Clinical Trials Unit, and is the Co-Head and Senior Staff Specialist of the Clinical Genetics department. Kristi is also a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney in the disc ...
Marise Payne (1981) was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2018.
Congratulations to Old Girl, Gail O’Brien (Bamford, 1972) who was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day 2018 Honours.
Angela Catterns (1971) is one of Australia’s most loved broadcasters and media personalities. With a diverse career in film, television and radio she has broadcast nationally, in Sydney, in country NSW and in Washington DC.
In 1973, when Carol Edds (Hamilton, 1968) graduated with honours and a double major in Building and Quantity Surveying, as well as the University Prize for the top Quantity Surveying student, she became the first female graduate with a building degree in Australia. Despite her achievements she struggled to find employment in this male-dominated industry – especially when she was asked about her marital/motherhood status.
Heather considers herself very fortunate to have been at MLC School in the 1960s where, unlike other schools at the time, girls had the opportunity to pursue the hard sciences. In particular, she remembers Dr Alice Whitley (1930) and says it was Dr Whitley's intelligence and love of science that inspired her to pursue a career in science.
Janice Thornett (Andrew, 1960) represented Australia in Swimming (Butterfly) at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games where she won a Bronze medal in the 100 metre butterfly and a silver medal in the 4×100 metre medley relay.
Eminent plant molecular biologist, Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Dennis (1960) was awarded an AC (Companion of the Order of Australia) at the 2019 Australia Day Honours. Liz was presented with Australia’s highest award for her outstanding achievement and service to science as a researcher and academic in the area of genomics and plant development.
A highly successful flautist, Judith has been the Principal Flautist of the Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden, and guest Principal Flautist of the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, English Chamber Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and English National Opera.
Elizabeth Grace OAM (Dunstone, 1957) was an Australian politician. She was a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1996 to October 1998, representing the Brisbane-based electorate of Lilley.
Dr Sylvia Walton AO (Collis, 1957) was widely recognised as a passionate educator and an outstanding educational leader and was highly awarded for her distinguished contribution to Australian educational across all levels. Silvia’s post nominals: EdD (hc LTU), BA, MA, Dip Ed (Syd), B Ed (LTU), FRGS, FAICD, FACEL, FACE, FAPC, ACEL Gold Medal.
Dr Julia Chang Wan (1956) is known in the USA women’s rights advocacy groups as a highly-regarded science educator, a policy maker and a changer. She was the President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Boston Chapter, and a member of the National Board of NOW. In a 2019 interview with NOW, Julia stated: ‘I wanted to be an independent, accomplished person rather than being known as somebody’s wife.’
MLC School Dux in 1955, Alison was well liked and made many friends, a quality she kept throughout her life. She went on to become a Senior Lecturer at University of Sydney and the foremost historian of Australian psychology.
MLC School’s first Olympian, Lorraine Crapp (1955) was the first woman to swim the 400m freestyle in under five minutes, and the first Australian—male or female—to concurrently hold the world record in all freestyle events. Lorraine was one of the group who spearheaded Australia’s domination of world swimming in the 1950s.
MLC School congratulates Old Girl, Jocelyn Maughan (1955) who was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2018 Honours with an Order of Australia Medal ‘for service to the visual arts, and to education’.
In 2013, Julie Taylor (1955), a specialist in the preservation and curation of historically and scientifically important marine macroalgae (seaweed) was honoured with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for ‘Service to the community as a volunteer with horticultural and service organisations.’
Ros Coulson (PhC Syd, MSc London, FRPharmS) is a pharmaceutical expert who became a world leader in drug development, information sciences and pharmacovigilance – the science relating to the detection, assessment, monitoring, and prevention of the adverse effects of pharmaceutical products. In recognition of her services to the profession of pharmacy in the UK, Ros was made a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in 1992.
Sandra Ross (1955) was the Artistic and Governing Director of the Ensemble Theatre, Australia’s longest, continuously running professional theatre company, for 30 years from 1986 to 2017. Under her stewardship, the Ensemble grew to one of the world’s most respected playhouses. She championed Australian works; both the well-loved classics and new works; and is renowned as the longest serving Artistic Director in Australia.
Ros Pesman (Cooper, 1954) was the first female Challis Professor of History at the University of Sydney and the first woman to be elected Chair of the Academic Board at the University. She is one of Australia’s most eminent historians, with an international reputation both in the fields of European and Australian history. She is known as a leader in the professions of history, tertiary education and academic leadership, particularly at the Univer ...
MLC School Dux, Janet Willings (Britton, 1954) became the second woman to graduate with an Engineering degree from the University of Sydney. She was the first female Civil Engineer graduate and the first woman to attain Honours in Engineering.
The Hon Mahla Pearlman AO (1953) was the first woman to become chief judge of any jurisdiction in NSW when she became the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales in 1992. Mahla was also the first woman to be the President of Law Society of New South Wales (1981–1982) and the first female President of Law Council of Australia (1989–1990).
Diana was a horticultural journalist, a conservationist, an author of books on garden design, and an award-winning native plant gardener. She was the first person to write a book showing how Australian plants can be used in all the major gardening styles. When she died in September 2019 at the age of 82, her husband of 60 years, Brian, said she was ‘a remarkable woman who achieved so much against the odds and has left her many friends and family ...
Dr Susan Beal AM (Ross, 1952) was a pioneer in the epidemiological investigations into the circumstances surrounding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and subsequently was involved in public awareness campaigns that led to a dramatic decrease in deaths due to SIDS.
Pauline Thomas (1951) was the first female TV producer in Australia to be sent on an overseas assignment (the 1970 Osaka Expo) and was the only woman in Australia’s TV and radio team at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Pauline worked at the ABC before television, and quickly rose through the TV ranks after it’s inception. One of her last roles at the ABC was working as the Associate Producer with Geoffrey Robertson on ‘Hypotheticals’ which was an o ...
Evangelyn Carr (1951) was the Matron of the Tresillian Family Care Centres for over 20 years. During that time she was part of the team that initiated research leading to recognition of and assistance for women suffering from post-natal depression.
When Patricia Hextall (1949) graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney with first class honours and the University Medal in Organic Chemistry, she was described by her professor as ‘the most brilliant woman in organic chemistry for a generation’.
Alrene Sykes (1946) was a distinguished scholar and a pioneer in the study of Australian drama. She worked on radio scripts at the ABC and went on to become a dedicated and inspiring teacher who unfailingly supported the work of colleagues and friends. Alrene’s ‘sane, always valuable advice to critics and playwrights alike’ is remembered by all who benefited from both her experience and her generosity.
Pamela Anne Wills (1944) completed her Leaving Certificate MLC School and in 1948 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney. Pamela worked at the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, now known as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, and quickly advanced to the position of Senior Principal Research Scientist in the organisation.
Dr Daphne Line (1943) had a long and distinguished medical career in the United Kingdom as a consultant respiratory physician. She achieved membership to both the Edinburgh and London Royal Colleges of Physicians and later in her career she was awarded fellowships by both Colleges. Daphne Line is also remembered by MLC School for her substantial bequest which contributed to the building of the MLC Junior School. The Daphne Line Hall in the Junior ...
Dr Janet Harker (1943) was a lecturer in Zoology at both the University of Manchester and the University of Cambridge. In 1964 she was the first woman to be awarded the World Zoological Gold Scientific Medal. Janet was a Fellow of the University of Cambridge’s Girton College and was the first Australian appointed to the Girton College Board of Directors.
A renowned Botanist who worked with Joyce Vickery (1926) at the National Herbarium of NSW from 1948 to 1971.
Professor Joan Beck BEM was integral in the development of fencers and fencing in Australia. She was the Head Coach of The Swords Club where she trained and inspired many of Australia’s successful fencers and coaches. While living in England, she earned the title Professor of Fencing from the British Academy of Fencing. In her later years, Joan received one of the first Honorary Fellow of Macquarie University awards for her 16 years of dedicated ...
In 1941, Thelma Herring became the first female staff member of the English Department at the University of Sydney where she remained as a highly regarded senior lecturer and prolific publisher for 32 years until her retirement in 1975.
Helen Haenke (Petherbridge, 1933) was a prolific Australian artist, poet and playwright whose work was part of an emerging vibrant cultural creative scene in south-east Queensland in the late 1960s and 1970s. A true artist, Helen devoted much time to her work and frequently opened her home to contemporaries such as Rodney Hall, Thomas Shapcott, Bruce Dawe and Oodgeroo Noonuccal.
Dorothy Roseby (1932), the Secretary of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for 36 years from its foundation in 1938 until her retirement in December 1974, was an important and influential figure during the College’s early development and its growth.
Hazel de Berg (Holland, 1931) was the pioneer of oral history in Australia. No one else worked for so long or interviewed so many people of different occupations and backgrounds. An outstanding feature of Hazel’s oral history collection of 1290 recordings is its emphasis on women in Australian society. In 1968 Hazel was awarded an MBE ‘for services to the National Archives’.
MLC School Old Girl (Dux in 1930) and Headmistress, Dr Alice Whitley BSc, PhD, MBE was awarded an MBE in 1966 for her contribution to science education. She co-authored the Science syllabus for the (then new) Higher School Certificate, was a member of the Commonwealth Science Standards Advisory Committee for Secondary Schools (the only female member), was an influential member of the Science Teachers’ Association, and was the President of the Aus ...
Olive Nelson (1929) became the first Samoan, as well as the first Pacific woman to attain a Bachelor of Laws from Auckland University, graduating in 1936 with the Butterworth Prize for the highest law exam results in the University. Later that year, Olive was admitted to the New Zealand Supreme Court, as both a barrister and solicitor, becoming only the second woman in the country to achieve this feat.
Olive Cotton (1929) was one of Australia’s most respected photographers and a pioneer of modernist photography with a career spanning six decades.
Dr Joyce Vickery (1926) BSc, MSc, DSc, MBE, a pioneer Australian female scientist, was one of Australia’s leading botanists, plant taxonomists and conservationists. She spent most of her working career (both before and after retirement) at the National Herbarium of NSW, Royal Botanic Gardens. Dr Joyce Vickery was integral in transforming of one of Australia’s oldest and most important botanical centres into a world-class scientific institution.
Dr Ruth Heighway (1924) MBBS, MD was an eminent gynaecologist who was the first woman in Australian to receive an MD (Doctor of Medicine) post graduate degree, and was also the first woman admitted to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; later becoming a Fellow of the College.
Dr Ida Birchall (1924) (BSc, MBBS, FRCS, FRCOG) worked tirelessly for women with gynaecological problems and with mothers and babies, starting practice in a time when there were no antibiotics, proper anaesthetics or sophisticated drugs. She was one of Tasmania’s first female doctors, the first female doctor to be in charge of ante-natal and post-natal clinics, and was the first member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in T ...
Elaine Shorter (1921) was MLC School’s first Barrister. She was the Dux of the School and winner of the Old Girl’s Union prize, and on graduation from the University of Sydney Law School, she obtained the Rose Scott Prize.
Social welfare activist and criminologist, Lady Janet Clunies Ross (Carter, 1920) was well known for fighting against prejudice towards foreigners or minorities, or against any policy that ‘smacked of a lack of generosity’.
MB, ChM Syd (1925), MRACP (1938), FRACP (1947).
A pre-eminent and highly regarded pathologist, Phyllis carried out research into children’s diseases such as whooping-cough, diphtheria and the gastroenteritis epidemic of 1928–29. She was a regular contributor to the Medical Journal of Australia. Throughout her career, Phyllis was also heavily involved in the interests of medical women.
Renowned crustaceologist, Marguerite Henry (1913) was awarded three Macleay Fellowships by the Linnean Society of NSW for research into freshwater pond life. From 1919 to 1924 she published eight scientific papers on the freshwater entomostracans (crustaceans) of Australia and New Zealand. She was elected a member of the Linnean Society of NSW in 1920.
Olive Kelynack Wood (O’Reilly, 1909) enrolled at MLC School in 1905 at the age of 12. Like her sister Susie, Olive was also the Dux of the School. In 1909, along with winning the Dux prize, Olive also won the prizes for Latin and Maths as well as the Old Girls’ Union Prize. She completed Medicine at the University of Sydney and, due to her sister’s efforts, became one of the two first female residents at Sydney Hospital.
A woman of great intelligence, energy and vision, Grace Adela Williams Crowley (1907) was a pioneer of Australian Abstract Constructivism and was one of the first Australian artists to paint purely abstract works. Her art was amongst the most radical of its time. She was described by art critics as ‘a ground-breaking Australian artist’, ‘a champion of modernism’ and ‘a superb colourist’
Lucie (Lulu) Shorter (1904) was an Australian designer best known for her product designs, including the first commercially successful Australian designs for Royal Doulton. Her works are now held at the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences (Powerhouse Museum) and the State Library of New South Wales.
Annie Forsyth Wyatt (Evans, 1902), a pioneering conservationist, is celebrated as the founder of the National Trust movement in Australia. Sydney’s historic natural and built sites remain today due to her efforts in setting up a national trust in 1945 to protect historically significant places.
Dr Susannah Hennessy (Susie) O’Reilly (1898) was a pioneering female doctor and a champion of professional women’s rights who became a renowned obstetrician and a popular family doctor. She had a keen sense of humour and a disregard for convention which was reflected in her manner and her dress. She was well-loved, highly respected and celebrated for her generosity and indomitable spirit.
Mabel Harriett Sutton (1896) was a renowned and highly respected educator, an MLC School Old Girl, the MLC School First Assistant for two years and our much-beloved Headmistress for 28 years. She was also one of the founding members of the Old Girls’ Union and its president for many years.
Marguerite Sarah Sutton (1895), enrolled at MLC School with her younger sister (and future MLC School Headmistress) Mabel Sutton (1896) on 2 February 1893, aged 15. (Mabel was 14.)
After completing her degree in junior school education, Marguerite went on to establish a kindergarten and junior school in Queensland.
Amy Isobel Wearne (1889) distinguished herself while a student at MLC School. She was Dux in 1889 and went on to become the first MLC School university graduate (from the University of Sydney). After winning the University’s Frazer Scholarship (1) in 1893 and then graduating with first class honours in History, Amy returned to teach at MLC School.