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College Council Presidents

The College Council provides governance and oversight, shaping policy, endorsing the budget, and guiding the strategic vision and growth of the College.

 

Pictured: Portrait of E. Russell Cuppaidge by Judy Cassab.

Scroll to College Council Presidents
  • 1914 - 1935
    Peter B. MacGregorBA Oxon
  • 1936
    H. Denniss
  • 1937 - 1950
    Fred T. Cross
  • 1951 - 1972
    E. Russell Cuppaidge CBE

  • Harriet Elizabeth Marks

    BSc (Hons) MACE FACE FHEAA

    • Alumna1920 – 1923

    Harriet Marks began her association with The Women’s College in 1920 as a resident scholar at Kangaroo Point. After graduating with a science degree, she taught physics and chemistry at Queensland country high schools. During World War II, she returned to Brisbane to engage in war work. In 1943 she assumed the position of Senior Tutor at The Women’s College where she remained as Assistant to the Founding Principal, Dr Freda Bage, until 1953. She then resigned from the College to become the first Inspector and Supervisor of domestic science courses in the Queensland secondary school system.

    Harriet continued her close association with The Women’s College as a Council Member and was President of Council in the 1970s. After a long and distinguished contribution, Harriet Marks resigned from the Council in 1986 for health reasons. Her devotion to the College is recognised in the naming of the dining hall in her honour – the Harriet Marks Dining Hall.

    B. Science

  • 1975
    Professor Edwin C. WebbPhD, MA, FRACI
  • 1976 - 1977
    Professor Ronald C. GatesMA, BCom, FASSA, HonFRAPI
  • 1978 - 1982
    Associate Professor Margaret CribbMA
  • 1983
    Jean RobinBA, BEd
  • 1984 - 1985
    Associate Professor Margaret CribbMA
  • 1986
    Ruth H. Whitmore
  • 1987 - 1995
    Judith A. HancockBSc, GradDipEdAdmin, FACE, FAIM
  • 1995 - 2008
    Penny CooperLLM (Qld)

  • Sallyanne Atkinson AO

    Business Leader and Former Politician

    • Alumna1960

    Sallyanne Atkinson AO FAIM, FAICD, FAPI is a Business Leader and Former Politician.

    Sallyanne began an arts degree at The University of Queensland, before becoming a journalist on the Brisbane Telegraph from 1960 to 1962, the Sydney Telegraph from 1962 to 1963, and The Courier-Mail from 1963 to 1964. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in History and Political Science, in 1967. She was Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1985 to 1991 and to date has been the only woman to have held this position.

    Sallyanne was the College Council President from 2009 to 2020. In honour of Sallyanne’s leadership and service, in 2021 the College renamed ‘Old Wing’ – the building where she resided at The Women’s College in 1960 – to the Sallyanne Atkinson Building. 

    • B. Arts (1967), The University of Queensland
    • Doctor of the University honoris causa (2007), The University of Queensland
    • AO in recognition of service to the community and local government (1993)
    • Centenary Medal for distinguished service to local government and to business (2001)
    • UQ Alumnus of the Year (2014)
    • Queensland Greats Award (2014)

  • Emeritus Professor Carol Dickenson AM

    PhD, BBusMan, GAICD

      Carol Dickenson is a highly experienced professional who brings a combination of senior leadership and governance experience to the Boards she is involved in. Her Board Directorship and Chair positions span over seventeen years. She is passionate about ensuring all people experience a quality life through good education, good health and making a positive contribution to the future.

    • Joanna Jenkins

      BA LLB(Hons)

      • Alumna1982 – 1984

      Joanna Jenkins has more than 30 years of distinguished legal experience, having practised as a solicitor specialising in engineering and infrastructure. She was a partner at Ashurst in Brisbane within the construction and infrastructure project group, where her work focused on complex contract drafting and negotiation, contract administration systems, and alternative dispute resolution. Throughout her career, Joanna was highly regarded for her work advising boards and senior leadership teams on risk management, governance, and strategy. 

      Joanna now writes full-time and is a published author, with her debut novel How to Kill A Client released in 2023, followed by her second book, The Bluff, in 2025.

      Joanna was elected Deputy President of the College Council in October 2023. Her appointment as President in February 2026 reflects her professional standing, depth of experience, and enduring commitment to The Women’s College community.

      B. Arts / B. Laws (1987), The University of Queensland

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