Alumnae Stories

Governor of New South Wales

From Senior Student to Governor of New South Wales

“When the suggestion was made to me… to begin with I was absolutely spellbound and speechless. Thinking about it, it seemed to me to be symbolic about the way our country is advancing in a sophisticated manner, that it could consider asking not only a woman, but a woman whose work is in a field (more…)

Anthropologist, expert on gender and race bias
(1942-1998)

DR CLARE BURTON, an international expert on gender and race bias, was one of Australia’s finest feminist intellectuals. She put her scholarship into action in senior public sector appointments in NSW, Queensland and Canberra. (more…)

Diplomat (1918-89)

Ruth was educated at Malvern School, Mosman and at Frensham where her mother was housemistress. She was at the Women’s College from 1937-1939 and graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1940. After a short stint in various jobs including as temporary secretary to the Principal of the Women’s College in 1941, she embarked on a career specialising in foreign affairs. (more…)

Politician, Board Member, Investor

Rosemary participated fully in University life while a student at the Women’s College. The varied friendships she formed in the mid-fifties broadened her outlook after a strict country upbringing and being a boarder at Frensham, Mittagong. (more…)

In an eleven-year parliamentary career that commenced at the age of 27 and ended in 1996, Wendy Machin represented the mid north coast of NSW and held numerous senior positions, culminating in the role of Minister for Consumer Affairs and Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport. (more…)