Academics & Education

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)

Dr Ruth Molphy MBE was an early graduate of medicine from the University of Queensland in 1947. The medical school opened in the late 1930s. She had originally enrolled in science, but did so well she transferred into medicine and was one of two women graduates that year. She then obtained the Diploma of Anaesthesia in England in 1952 and went on to work in Durham and Sweden, before returning to Queensland. In 1953, she was appointed Supervisor (later Director) of Anaesthetics at the Brisbane Hospital, a position she maintained until 1963. She then took on the directorship of the Chermside Chest Hospital (later Prince Charles Hospital) until 1984.

She was elected to fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1954.

• B. Medicine & B. Surgery (1947), The University of Queensland
• Diploma in Anaesthetics (1952), United Kingdom

MBE for services to the medical profession. (1987)

Emeritus Professor Janet Delpratt AM was a teacher and performer, making significant contributions through decades of service to the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, particularly as Head of Voice.

In 1961, she was the first Conservatorium graduate to be granted a Master Diploma of Music. After further study in London, Jan joined the staff of the Conservatorium and taught there for the rest of her career, including 18 years as Chairman of the Vocal Department and three years as Acting Director. In 1998, she was awarded a Personal Chair in Singing for excellence in teaching, the first such appointment at an Australian university, and in June 2007 was admitted as an honorary Doctor of the University.

Jan served on the Council of The Women’s College, and was one of the first Fellows of the College.

• Doctor of the University (2007), Griffith University
• Master Diploma of Music (1961), Queensland Conservatorium
• B. Science, The University of Queensland

AM for service to the performing arts and to music education as a teacher of voice. (2009)

Dr Margaret Cameron AM was an Australian librarian, administrator and amateur ornithologist. She had a distinguished career as a librarian in Queensland, New York, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. In 1986, she was appointed to the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, a tenure she held for three years.

• Doctor of the University (1999), Deakin University
• B. Arts

AM in recognition of service to library services, education and to ornithology. (1990)

Maria Stevenson OAM was a science and biology teacher at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School for 40 years.

• B. Science, The University of Queensland

OAM for service to education. (2019)

Dr Else Shepherd AM was a pioneer and role model in breaking through the barriers to women's professional acceptance particularly in "non-traditional" fields such as engineering. She was one of the first two women to graduate from electrical engineering at The University of Queensland, in 1965, and at one time she was one of only two female engineers working in Queensland. 

She was an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. For three consecutive years, Engineers Australia ranked Dr Shepherd as one of Australia’s "Top 100 Most Influential Engineers", and in 2007, she was ranked one of Australia's "Top 25 Most Influential Female Engineers".

• B. Engineering (1966), The University of Queensland
• Grad. Dip. Music (1984), Queensland Conservatorium
• Doctor of Engineering honoris causa (2011), The University of Queensland

• UQ Alumnus of the Year (2009)
• AM for service to the engineering profession, particularly electrical and electronic engineering, to education, to the electricity distribution industry, and to the community (2003)
• Centenary Medal for service to Australian society in information technology (2001)
• Queensland Greats Award (2022)

Bobbie Brazil AO is a business leader and philanthropist. She is a former solicitor who assisted local, state and federal governments in multiple capacities. She served as Deputy Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland prior to being appointed Chancellor and serving eight years in this position, one of few women in Australia who have held this office.

• M. Business (1998), The University of Queensland
• B. Laws (1987), The University of Queensland
• B. Arts (1966), The University of Queensland

• AO for distinguished service to tertiary education governance, to agricultural, environmental and resource management organisations, and to women in rural and regional areas. (2017)
• Centenary Medal for distinguished service to education as Deputy-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland. (2001)

Helene Marsh AO is Emeritus Professor in Environmental Science and a Professorial Fellow at James Cook University. She is a Fellow of both the Australian Academies of Science and Technological Sciences and Engineering and has received international and national awards for her research. 

• PhD Zoology (1973), James Cook University
• B. Science (1968), The University of Queensland

• UQ Alumnus of the Year 2018
• AO for distinguished service to the biological and environmental sciences, to the conservation of marine mammals, and to tertiary education. (2021)

Judith Bell AM was a primary and secondary school teacher. In 1995, Judith become one of two pioneering women to be appointed by the State Government to serve on the Board of Trustees of Brisbane Grammar School (BGS). Judith then became the only female on the board, serving for 16 years. Judith was also appointed to the Senate of The University of Queensland, where she helped steer an ambitious building program and an expansion of important research institutes such as The Brain Institute. She also worked for the Queensland government from 2008 to 2013 as a commissioner at the Crime and Corruption Commission.

• B. Education, Queensland University of Technology
• B. Arts, The University of Queensland

• AM for significant service to the administration of justice, to the visual arts, and to education. (2021)
• Centenary Medal for distinguished service to the community. (2001)

Dr Gabrielle Matters is an Educational Consultant whose areas of expertise include educational measurement, curriculum and assessment systems design and review, providing high-level advice to ministries, jurisdictions and research projects in Australia and other countries.

• PhD in Educational Testing, Queensland University of Technology
• B. Science, The University of Queensland

Centenary Medal for distinguished service to education in Queensland. (2001)

Lesley Reece AM established The Literature Centre in 1992. For over 30 years, Lesley championed and promoted Australian literature, inspiring many thousands of students and teachers through stimulating programmes. Her passion and dedication has broken through the barrier of indifference to bring awareness and investment in her field. 

• AM for significant service to children through improving literacy skills and promoting Australian authors and illustrators. (2015)
• Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Nan Chauncy Award (2010)

Emeritus Professor Jill Wilson AO made an enormous contribution to social work education in Australia, and was a former member of the Australian Council of Heads of Social Work Education.

• PhD Social Work (1997), The University of Queensland
• M. Social Work (1980), The University of Queensland
• B. Social Studies (1969), The University of Queensland

AO for service to the community in the development and delivery of new models of care through the social support sector of the Uniting Church in Australia. (2004)

Cheryl Peers AM is an Education Leader.

AM for significant service to primary education, particularly science, to curriculum development, and to professional organisations. (2014)

Margaret Thorsborne OAM is a consultant for public and private sector businesses and organisations for workplace relationships and the management of high-level conflict & inappropriate behaviour. She is committed to improving the way people relate to each other in schools, workplaces and other community groups by providing processes that allow often deeply negative feelings to be gradually transformed into cooperation.

• Grad. Dip. Counselling, Queensland University of Technology
• B. Science (1970), The University of Queensland
• Dip. Education, The University of Queensland

• OAM for service to education. (2022)
• Centenary Medal for distinguished service to conservation and the environment. (2001)

Paula-Ann Nagel AM was the first female reporter on ABC's current affairs program This Day Tonight in 1967. She worked in a number of roles at the ABC for 21 years, in particular producing education and arts programs. Following her career at the ABC, Paula was involved with more than 15 Boards and Committees, including with the University of South Australia. 

• AM for significant service to higher education in South Australia, to the arts, and to the community. (2014)
• “Woman of Distinction in Education”, Asia Pacific Business Women’s Council. (2006)