Fellows

Emeritus Professor Teresa Rita O’Rourke Cramond (née Brophy) AO OBE (MBBS, FFARCS, FFARACS, FFARCS (Hon), DA, RCP, RCS) was a distinguished doctor and academic known for her contributions in the areas of anaesthesiology, resuscitation, and pain medicine.

She began her career as an anaesthetist in Brisbane, then worked in London for a period in the mid-1950s. After her return to Australia, Professor Cramond continued working as an anaesthetist at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and Mater Children’s Hospital. She also pioneered CPR training for surf lifesavers in Queensland, and later for the Queensland Ambulance Service and State Electricity Commission. She served on the UQ Senate from 1978 until 1983, and was also Professor of Anaesthetics from 1978 until 1993. In 1981 Professor Cramond was the first woman elected as president of the Australian Medical Association’s Queensland branch.

• Doctor of Medicine honoris causa (1999), The University of Queensland
• B. Medicine & B. Surgery (1951), The University of Queensland

• OBE: 1977
• AO in recognition of service to medicine, particularly in the field of anaesthesia and to the community. (1991)

Mary Elisabeth Hopkins (née Liddell) OAM came to The Women’s College from her family property at Hughenden in 1939. She graduated with Bachelor of Arts with Honours, majoring in English and History and became a teacher.

Always active in The Women’s College activities, including the Old Collegians Association, Lisbeth joined the College Council in 1957 and served until 1993. She was named an inaugural Fellow of The Women’s College in recognition of her service.

• B. Arts (Hons), The University of Queensland

OAM for service to the University of Queensland, particularly through the annual Alumni Association Book Fair. (1991)

The Honourable Dr Penelope Wensley AC is an Australian former public servant and diplomat who served as the 25th Governor of Queensland from 2008 to 2014. She was previously High Commissioner to India from 2001 to 2004 and Ambassador to France from 2005 to 2008.

• B. Arts (1967), The University of Queensland
• Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa (1994), The University of Queensland

• UQ Alumnus of the Year (1994)
• AC for eminent contribution to the people of Queensland, and to Australia’s international relations through senior diplomatic representational roles and as a key contributor to initiatives of the United Nations. (2011)

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)

Dr Maureen Aitken PhD (Qld), DU honoris causa (Qld), PhD, BA Hons, PGDipEd (Qld) was Principal of The Women's College from 1991 to 2008.

During her career, Maureen was the Head of Modern Languages at Ipswich Girls Grammar School, and a Lecturer in Humanities, specifically foreign languages, at the UQ School of Music, the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, and at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She was a President of The University of Queensland Chapter of the Australian Heads of Colleges Association and of the Alumni Association Inc. of The University of Queensland. She also held roles as the Vice-President of the Queensland branch of the Australian Federation of University Women, as an Executive Member of the Australian Universities Alumni Council, Secretary of the National Association of Heads of Australian University Colleges and Halls of Residence, and was a member of the Queensland Department of Education's Curriculum Development Committee and Language Reference Group.

An active participant in promoting female participation in tertiary educaiton, Maureen was a founding member of the International Women's Education Worldwide group, which met in Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges, Massachusetts, USA, in 2004.

• B. Arts (Hons), The University of Queensland
• Grad. Dip in Education, The University of Queensland
• Doctor of the University honoris causa (2007), The University of Queensland

Emeritus Professor Fred D’Agostino was a Women’s College Council Member from 2012 to 2022.

Before retiring at the end of 2022, Fred was Emeritus Professor of Humanities at The University of Queensland. Fred also held positions as the Executive Dean of Arts, President of the Academic Board and UQ Senator. His other board memberships included the Australasian Association of Philosophy (2012 – 2019), Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the UQ (philanthropic) Campaign.

In 2022, Fred was announced as the inaugural recipient of the UQ R.H. Roe Award. Established by The University of Queensland in 2022, the UQ R.H. Roe Award is named after UQ’s first Vice-Chancellor and recognises individuals who have made a unique and lasting contribution through their dedicated service to UQ. Fred received this award for the immense contribution he has made to UQ over the past 20 years as an exemplary scholar, leader, teacher and colleague.

• B. Arts (Hons) (1968), Amherst College
• M. Arts (Anthropology) (1973), Princeton University
• DPhil (1978), London School of Economics and Political Science

During her residency at The Women's College, Kim Lyons was Senior Resident Assistant in 2005. 

Following her studies, Kim worked at UQ in undergraduate domestic student recruitment for almost 10 years. She played a significant role in the development and implementation of UQ’s flagship equity program, the UQ Young Achievers Program. Kim has significant experience in project and event management, working with secondary schools and students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, and coordinating youth mentoring programs. Kim is an active alumna of The Women’s College, a staff member at Christ the King Primary School, Graceville and a Committee Member of the school’s P&F Association. 

Kim was a College Council Member from 2012, and was Council Deputy President from 2017 to 2023.

B. Business Management / B. Arts, The University of Queensland

Jeff Sipek served as The Women's College Director of Operations for 34 years, retiring in 2023. Prior to commencing work at the College, Jeff spent 10 years working in hotels in Adelaide and the UK. Jeff’s professional skills include expertise in food and beverage, management, operations and leadership. He has a strong passion for customer service and maintaining relationships with internal and external clients.

Dip. Hotel and Restaurant Management

The Honourable Anna Bligh AC resided at The Women’s College in 1978, during her first year of studying a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Queensland (UQ).

Before entering politics, Anna worked for various community organisations. She was then first elected to the State Parliament in 1995. In July 2005, Anna was promoted to Deputy Premier, and was subsequently promoted to Queensland Premier in 2007. In office from 2007 to 2012, Anna served as the 37th Premier of Queensland. After retiring from politics, Anna was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banking Association, a role she held from 2017 to 2025.

• B. Arts (1981), The University of Queensland
• Doctor of Laws honoris causa (2010), The University of Queensland

• AC for eminent service to the Parliament of Queensland, particularly as Premier, to infrastructure development and education reform, as an advocate for the role of women in public life, and to the not-for-profit sector. (2017)
• UQ Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award (2023)

Judith Anderson OAM has qualifications to post-graduate level from The University of Queensland and the University of New England in arts, journalism and educational administration.

Her career included higher education and arts management, international marketing, journalism, and teaching at secondary, tertiary and community levels. For 13 years until her retirement from full-time work in late 2010, she was the General Manager of Queensland Ballet.

Since retiring, she has been employed in a wide range of writing and editing roles, notably for 15 years at Government House where she also acts as a volunteer tour guide. In 2021, she published her first book, Earning a Crust – a century of the baking trade in Warwick (1860s–1960s).

Judith’s other voluntary roles include serving as a Director and Honorary Secretary of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra for eight years until 2020, and as a member of Zonta International since 1983, being elected successively to a range of positions to international level. 

Judith was awarded a Fellowship of The Women's College in March 2026.

• B. Arts (1966), The University of Queensland
• Dip. Journalism (1973), The University of Queensland
• M. Education Administration (1991), University of New England

OAM for service to the Queensland Ballet through administrative roles, and to women. (2012)