COMMUNITY

25 Years of Women at St John’s

25 Years of Women at St Johns

The year 2026 marks the 25th year in which women have resided at St John’s College.

To celebrate this milestone, we will be holding several events at College and inviting alumni to reconnect and re-engage. We invite all alumni to celebrate with us and re-connect to build our community.

It is particularly gratifying to be celebrating this anniversary as the future for the College looks so bright. Demand from students continues to grow with an increasing number of applications. We have come a long way from the first cohort of around 30 women students in 2001. Every year more women have taken up residency at the College, considerably adding to the rich tapestry of our history.

In 2001, our first cohort of thirty-seven women matriculated. Twenty-five years on, we celebrate generations of women students who have come here, and prospered in diverse vocations and careers.

This year, 2026, the College pays tribute to them, to our current female students, and to their keenly anticipated successors who will follow. A program of events has been put together which will mark the anniversary, and I look forward to celebrating with our community.

Dr Mark Schembri 
Rector

PAST STUDENTS

Where are they now?

Many of our alumna have gone on to achieve success in their fields. We are excited to share some of their stories and as you will see they have had diverse career journeys and personal experiences.

Alumnae

Victoria Clancy

(2002-2004)

has worked with UNICEF in six countries and is now studying towards a Juris Doctor at The University of Sydney.

“During my time at St John's I studied for a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney. When I went back to John's as a Senior Tutor, I completed a Master of International Development with Merit from The University of Sydney.”

More about Victoria

Alumnae

Anna Henderson

(2001-2003)

has an extensive career in journalism and is currently Chief Political Correspondent and Bureau Chief for SBS World News in the Press Gallery.

“After growing up in Manilla, a small town in country New South Wales, I arrived at St John's College in 2001 and was among the first group of women to attend.”

More about Anna

Alumnae

Renee Kirby

(2007-2009)

rowed with the Sydney University Boat Club, has travelled to Africa and then set up her own swimwear company.

“I was at John's for 3 years from 2007-2009 on a Sports Scholarship with Rowing. Since then, I have had surgery, travelled the world, found myself stranded in China and now own and run a multimillion-dollar eCommerce business.”

More about Renee

Alumnae

Tarla Lambert

(2010-2011)

has built a digital news company for women, Agenda Media, with a business partner with plans to expand into the Asia Pacific region.

“Since leaving St John's, I've been able to follow an exciting path in media and ultimately launch Australia's leading digital news company for women, Agenda Media alongside my business partner, Angela Priestley.”

More about Tarla

Alumnae

Kirsty Schneeberger

(2004-2006)

heads up partnerships at the world-leading B Corporation ClimateCare. In 2010 Kirsty received an MBE for services to the environment.

“I arrived as a fresh-faced English Pom eager to make the most of my studies and life in a far-flung land. I was delighted to join St John's as one of the earlier cohorts of women and bring as much energy and enthusiasm to living in College as I could muster.”

More about Kirsty

Alumnae

Katie Silver

(2006-2007)

is a journalist who currently works in Singapore as the BBC's Asia Business Reporter. She has worked for Sky News and the ABC and has two children, Sienna and Ned.

“I started university knowing I wanted to be a journalist but was given (ultimately very good) advice to study something else so I'd have expertise to add to my reporting.”

More about Katie

Alumnae

Georgia Watt (nee Whiting)

(2007-2009)

was the first female House President of John's in 2009. Since then Georgia has worked in different roles within Australian law firms and is now with the Attorney General's Department.

“I was fortunate enough to attend John's for the whole duration of my Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Management), from the University of Notre Dame.”

More about Georgia

Alumnae

Alex Winter-Irving (nee Ryan)

(2006-2008)

has worked in marketing and communications most recently at Allianz and remains active within the St John's community serving as Chair of the Student Relations Committee.

“Hailing from the small town of Moruya on the NSW south coast, I always aspired to study at Sydney Uni as my dad had done a few decades earlier.”

More about Alex

Timeline

Significant moments

A few pages from the College's history... and our story still continues.

1852

The first students (24 in number) enrol at the University.

1858

Upon notification in the Government Gazette on 2 July of a Proclamation made by Governor Denison the previous day, St John’s College is incorporated. The Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral (and first Australian born priest), Fr Maurus O’Connell OSB, is appointed Rector pro tem while a permanent Rector is sought.