Celebrating 25 Years of Women at St John’s College: Inspiring Leadership and Lasting Impact
Published on March 20, 2026
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What an incredible evening it was as we celebrated 25 Years of Women At St John’s College, a milestone that reflects the College’s rich tradition of growth, inclusion, and excellence. We were honoured to be joined by our guest speaker for the night, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and Mr Dennis Wilson, who made the night truly unforgettable.
The evening unfolded with a very special formal dinner that brought together our newly-arrived students and our cherished alumni and supporters.
Although I have only been Rector of St John’s for three and a half of those 25 co-residential years, I am both honoured and thrilled to witness the continued success of shared collegial life at St John’s College as we move from strength to strength. We remain united in our pursuit of the greater good through unity, service, and leadership.
It is also important to recognise the enduring legacy of the close friendship between St John’s and Sancta Sophia College, where women and men have long shared both the grounds and the collegial experience for 100 years.
The head of our 25th anniversary celebration committee, Council Member and College alumna Mrs Alex Winter-Irving, along with Emeritus Prof Marea Nicholson AM and I, all agreed that the person who best embodies a life of accomplishment, resilience, leadership, and service is none other than our Governor. It was a remarkable privilege for this College, and the University, to have Her Excellency join us for this momentous occasion.
The Rector looks on as Dean of Students (Student Life) Ms Christie Breakspear and Senior Tutor the Hon John Sackar AM KC greet the guest of honour.The Governor with Bishop Tony Percy, students Agatha Davies, Senior Resident Assistant Issy Edmonstone, and Emily Rockefeller.Students (left to right) Gabriella Gamerov, Phoebe Hallman, Eloise Campbell and Adelaide Babbage-Hockey.
We were also honoured to welcome several special guests, including:
Professor Joanne Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney
Dr Kate Conigrave, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney
Bishop Tony Percy, Auxiliary Bishop of the Sydney Archdiocese
Judge Gerard Phillips, President of the Personal Injury Commission
The Honourable John Sackar AM KC, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Mrs Josephine Sukkar AM, former Chair of Sport Australia, and Mr Tony Sukkar AM of Buildcorp
Dr Stephen Ruff, leading Trauma Specialist in NSW
Mr Paul Dellow, President of the St John’s College Alumni Association
(Left to right): Mrs Melissa Hartman, Mrs Annabel Gunns, College Council Member Judge Gerard Phillips, Mrs Frances Richards, College Council Member Mr Matt Gordon, Mrs Susanna Gordon and student Peter Gordon.(From foreground, right to left): Alumnae Ms Betty Kwan and Ms Shih-Hwa Du, Senior College Counsellor Dr Matt Lennon, Resident Acadmic Dean Mr Will Gunns, student Mitchell Spanner, Director of Music Mr Richard Perrignon, Dean of Students (Arts & Culture) Ms Mary-Jean O’Doherty, and students Tom Crennan, Jim Ford and Oscar Kochanski.(Left side, left to right): Harry Bodman, Josh Callus, Archer Dalton, Charles Mitchell, Sophie Hehir and Darcy MacKay.
(Right side, right to left): India O’Connor, Sophie Alexander, Will Spora, Bear Marsh, Toby Pallett, Will Garnsey, Archie Matthews and Eamon Doyle.
A special mention was made of our two former College Council Chairs:
Mrs Christine Liddy AO, and
Prof Bernadette Tobin AO GCSG, for their invaluable contributions.
Former Chairs of Council Prof Bernadette Tobin AO GCSG (left) and Mrs Christine Liddy AO (right) with the Governor.
During the dinner, I also extended my deepest gratitude to the 25th Anniversary Organising Committee, including Council Members Mrs Alex Winter-Irving, Emeritus Prof Marea Nicholson AM, and Mr Paul Dellow for their dedication and hard work in making this event possible.
(Left to right): Prof Joanne Wright, Emeritus Prof Marea Nicholson AM and Prof Bernadette Tobin AO GCSG.Co-House President Xavier Leaver conversing with Aide de Camp to the Governor of NSW Lt Cdr Robert Valler as Issy Edmonstone (foreground) and Josie Armstrong look on.Chair of the 25 Years of Women Committee, Council Member Mrs Alex Winter-Irving with Mr Dennis Wilson.
Her Excellency was introduced by student House Treasurer, Zoe Fouter, who shared the Governor’s background and spoke with great warmth and respect.
House Treasurer Zoe Fouter introducing the guest of honour.
Following this, Her Excellency delivered a powerful address that left all in attendance inspired by her wisdom, resilience and leadership.
The Governor’s speech was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening. Her words were nothing short of inspiring, as she shared her insights, anecdotes, and invaluable experience as a female in what was once a heavily male-dominated field. A trailblazer in every sense, Her Excellency is not only a remarkable leader but also a mentor and advocate to so many, and her presence left a profound impact on all in attendance at St John’s College that evening.
Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC addressing the Dining Hall.(Left to right): Imogen Hood, Mia Doyle and Alex Fleming.(Left to right): Students Fergus O’Callaghan, Harry Cluff, Drew Babbage, Adelaide Babbage-Hockey, and Ms Melissa Babbage.(Left to right): Alumni Ms Fiona Cross, Ms Claudia Cross, Ms Lily Schafer-Gardiner, Mrs Alice Sunderland, Ms Lucy Blanzan, Mr Charles Fleming, Ms Perri Moustoukis and Ms Lauren McGrath-Wild.
Her Excellency’s address reminded us of the power of mentorship and the importance of embracing positive change, highlighting the remarkable strides women have made over the past 25 years at St John’s College. It was a celebration of the achievements and the enduring promise of female empowerment, leadership, and opportunity in higher education, the workplace, and government.
A standing ovation for the Governor.
The vote of thanks was graciously given by Co-House President Jemima Carmody, who captured the spirit of the evening beautifully.
Co-House President Jemima Carmody delivering the vote of thanks.The Governor of NSW acknowledging Jemima Carmody’s speech afterwards.Mary-Jean O’Doherty and Tom Crennan performing Ennio Morricone’s Nella Fantasia.(Left to right): Students Audrey Hogg and Maggie Duffy.
The College is now, and will always be, deeply grateful to Her Excellency for her presence and words of wisdom at the Dinner. As we begin our celebrations for the 25th anniversary of female students at St John’s College, I look forward to reporting to you all on our upcoming events and all that they will entail, honour and celebrate.
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue building on this legacy, inspired by the female trailblazers who came before us, and ever strengthened in our motivations to create even greater possibilities for all generations of students at St John’s College.
To all the women of St John’s past and present, I look forward with confidence to many more years of success and collegiality to come!
Dr Mark Schembri Rector
The Rector during his address.Sophie Alexander with the Governor.(Left side, left to right): Students Marko Glass, Ben Bogdanovich, Elin Vincent and Emma Antico. (Right side, right to left): Hugh D’Rozario, Baxter Roach and Jay Mabee.Mrs Christine Liddy AO (left) and Mrs Helen Clugston.(Left to right): Students Charlotte Laundy, Natalie O’Grady and Abby Walker.Vice-Rector Dr Peter Cunich with Mrs Christina Bolger and Mr Dan Bolger.Students (left to right) Luca Williams, Hayden Callander and Cameron Webster with Max Hubscher.College Counsellor Ms Jessica George and Ms Alice Sunderland with students Toby Pallett (background, left) and Liam Daymond (right).(Left to right): Students Oliver Galvin, Frankie Mutton and Will Garnsey.(Clockwise, on foreground): Mrs Alex Winter-Irving, Mr Dennis Wilson, Mrs Josephine Sukkar AM and Mr Tony Sukkar AM.(Clockwise, left to right): Students Liam Daymond, Senior Resident Assistant Tom Busby, Tim Bannister and Henry King.(Left to right): Students Anna Newsome, Jemima Hickey, Amy Harrison, Eve Jenner, Emma Antico and Elin Vincent.Students Alex Fleming (left) and Jemma Nesdale.(Left to right): Students Grace Wilkes-Bowes and Camille Perrignon with alumnae Ms Sophie Mason and Ms Fiona Mainsbridge.Students Matthew Gough and Charlotte Wilson.(Left to right): Dr Rachel Ruff, Dr Stephen Ruff, the Governor and her Aide de Camp Lt Cdr Robert Valler.Alumna Mrs Alison Ramadge (left) with Dr Kate Conigrave.(Left to right): Students Jonty Snyman, Charlie Lieutenant, Hugo Lockhart, Sam Wright and Jack Ward.The Governor sharing a lighthearted moment with musicians Tim Dickinson and Henry Liang.(Left to right): Students Joseph Harvey, Monty Sallabank and Jessica Moynihan.Alumni (left to right) Mr Cameron Cromme, Mr Charles Fleming and Mr Patrick Lucarnus meeting the Governor.Alumna Mrs Camilla King with President of the St John’s College Alumni Association, Mr Paul Dellow.The Governor speaking with Jemima Carmody, Sophie Alexander and Charlie Lieutenant.The Vice-Regal Couple with the Rector and Vice-Rector.(Left to right): Charlotte Laundy, Xavier Leaver, Emeritus Prof Marea Nicholson AM, Mr Dennis Wilson, Dr Mark Schembri, Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC, Mrs Alex Winter-Irving, Jemima Carmody and Zoe Fouter.
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