The Women's College Magazine Autumn 2015 by Tiffany Donnelly

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CONTENTS AUTUMN 2015 VOLUME 31 # 1 3

FROM THE CHAIR Ms Camille Blackburn

GRACE FRAZER SCHOLAR

FROM THE SENIOR STUDENT Ms Gabrielle Royle

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dr Amanda Bell

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

COUNTRY CONNECTIONS: RURAL STUDENTS AT COLLEGE

WOMEN’S TAKES MANHATTAN

EVENTS COLLAGE

BOOK REVIEWS

WOMEN’S AT WAR

ALUMNAE PRESIDENT YOUNG ALUMNA EVENT

BRISBANE REUNION ALUMNAE HONOURS

VALE

KATRINA DAWSON TRIBUTE

ALUMNAE CONCERT AND VENUE HIRE

DONORS AND ROBYN STACEY GIFT

EDITOR: Dr Tiffany Donnelly PHOTOGRAPHY: Sugarlove Pictures, Sophie Matthewson, Amy Moran, Ross Kennedy, Stills Gallery, ABC, Haline Ly, staff, students and alumnae of the College PRINTING & DESIGN: One Creative FRONT COVER: Women’s College Intern Sophie McPhate in New York

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FROM THE CHAIR I am delighted to write to you for the first time as Chair of the Women’s College Council. It is such a privilege to serve on the governing body of this important institution supporting the education and professional growth of so many exceptional young women. At the same time, it is also a little daunting when I reflect on the calibre and achievements of past Chairs of Council, such as Ms Jane Diplock AO, Dr Janet McCredie AM and Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, and, of course our most recent Chair, Ms Lucinda Warren. I pay tribute to Lucinda’s service on Council as a member since 1997 and as Chair for the past nine years. During that time, the College has seen many important changes to enhance our offerings and opportunities for students, as well as improvements to the College resources and infrastructure. On behalf of the College community I thank Lucinda warmly and sincerely for her contributions—it is reassuring to have her remain on the Council as Deputy Chair and assist me in my succession into this august role. Following the Council elections in November last year, I am pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to Council: Dr Jennifer Allum, Dr Sally Auld and Ms Julie McKay. Their skill sets augment the existing experience already around the Council table—they are very welcome indeed and we look forward to their contributions over their term of office. The College website contains further information about the Council and its members. With the focus keenly on our strategic framework where scholarship, philanthropy, leadership and our environment guide our work, I look forward to keeping the Women’s College community apprised of exciting programs being worked through by Council and management in the near future. Camille Blackburn

G R ACE FR A ZER SCHOLAR Fresher Caitlin Lee is the recipient of the 2015 Grace Frazer Entrance Award. Caitlin completed her HSC studies at Wenona School with an ATAR of 99.95—the highest possible score awarded in NSW. She entered Women’s College this year to undertake a combined Arts/Law degree. In her College interview Caitlin described herself as someone who is open, reliable and driven. Her dream job is to work in family law. The Grace Frazer Award was endowed in 1892 by Mrs Charles Burton Fairfax in honour of her sister Grace Frazer. Intended to be given annually to the student entering Women’s College as “the best matriculant,” the award is now given to the student or students entering College with the highest ATAR or University Entrance score.

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FROM THE SENIOR STUDENT 2015 has been dubbed the year of opportunity at Women’s. It marks 123 years that this College has witnessed the growth and development of successful women and this year is certainly no exception. During the final months of 2014, the Student Club drafted the following initiatives to ensure that this year is met with excitement and enthusiasm:

LEADERSHIP Facilitating the practice of applied leadership in the Women’s College community The Student Club will provide assistance and structures to streamline the function of all committees and convenorships so that its leaders are able to engage in applied leadership; actively seeking to better their respective committees or convenorships for the benefit of members.

SCHOLARSHIP Creating stronger relations between the Women’s College and universities around Australia and worldwide By forming strong working relationships with other university colleges we have the ability to inspire ideas, raise our College’s profile and facilitate student friendships and connections. This year the Student Club intends to explore the option of organising a connection with another women’s college overseas. To ensure that all Affiliates are fully engaged in the College community The Affiliate (non-resident) cohort is an integral part of the Women’s College community. The Student Club has appointed an Affiliate liaison to ensure that all Women’s College students have the opportunity to become involved in every aspect of College life.

PHILANTHROPY Developing the “Student Relief Fund” With unforseen difficult financial circumstances occasionally hindering a student’s College experience, this fund provides emergency financial support to students who suffer financial hardship yet exhibit a strong contribution to College life. To ensure the sustainability of the “Pay-it-Forward” Scholarship Initiative The philanthropic “Pay-it-Forward” initiative targeting past Women’s scholarship recipients has been enacted to constantly replenish scholarship funds for the future.

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ENVIRONMENT Enhancing the College’s engaging and exciting atmosphere, ensuring all students form a strong connection to the community In response to last year’s Student Club survey, the Club has planned more in-house events within Women’s and informal intercollegiate events to enhance the students’ College experience. Generating a positive interconnected College community on multiple technological platforms In an increasingly technology dependent world, we believe it is important for the students at Women’s to utilise social media in a productive and appropriate manner to strengthen the reputation and profile of the College. These initiatives highlight the exciting opportunities that create such a unique and vibrant College community. I am incredibly honoured to represent this amazing community and I, along with the Student Club, will ensure that we do everything we can to make this College the best it can be. We are anticipating another successful year at Women’s and I am very excited to see what this semester brings. Gabrielle Royle

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F R O M T H E P R I N C I PA L At the heart of it all—a wonderful young Australian woman of immense capacity, strength of character and purpose. Coming into her own, into the fullness of her life, into the fulfilment of sure foundations, of reaching her extraordinary potential. So much more for her to do… (The Hon. Quentin Bryce AD CVO, 23 December 2014) Tragedy for the ancient Greeks reflected myths, epic legends and lyric poetry. The Greek tragedy as performance became a way of explaining and, as some suggest, a cathartic release for the inevitable sadness inherent in human emotion. The tragedies were frequently a metaphor for the darker issues within society. The tragic circumstances surrounding the loss of one of the College’s exceptional Senior Students, Katrina Dawson, has impacted so many with a keenly felt sense of personal and collective sadness—a sadness so beautifully and sensitively captured in Quentin Bryce’s words re-printed in this publication.

However, there are times where from tragedy springs hope and Katrina’s family was determined to create a lasting legacy to reflect the qualities lived by her daily and reflected in her character and interests. The Katrina Dawson Foundation is the positive outcome from the worst of circumstances—conceived by those most immediately affected, and yet determined to reflect the essence that underpinned Katrina’s personal and professional worlds: the education of women. More information is available at: www.thekatrinadawsonfoundation.org Women’s College is a remarkable place, but an even more remarkable community of women and men who believe in equality of opportunity, freedom of speech, basic human rights and a society where people can expect an education, to live safely and with dignity. Sometimes, circumstances— tragic circumstances—remind us that there is still much to be addressed, much to be changed and much still to achieve. Dr Amanda Bell

I N T E R N AT I O N A L W O M E N ’ S D AY C E L E B R AT I O N S On Friday 6 March Women’s College co-hosted the inaugural International Women’s Day (IWD) cocktail event with the University of Sydney. Attended by senior members of the University, including the Chancellor Ms Belinda Hutchinson AM, former Chancellor Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO and Vice Chancellor Dr Michael Spence, the event was the culmination of the “Women at Sydney: Developing Pathways to Career Success” workshop organised via the University’s Equity and Diversity Strategy. The IWD cocktail event was also attended by staff, students and alumnae of the College. It is anticipated that this event will become an annual celebration, as the College is keen to increase opportunities for staff of the University to be included in more Women’s activities—especially for the benefit of our students.

Principal Dr Amanda Bell with current students Laura van den Honert and Emily Maker and alumna Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO at the IWD cocktail event.

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CALLING ALL COUNTRY CONNECTIONS From its inception Women’s College has provided thousands of girls—whose families often lived hundreds of miles away from the University’s cloisters—a home away from home while pursuing their dreams. It’s probably not an overstatement to say that historically country girls have been the lifeblood of Women’s.

because accommodation is cheaper, the towns are less foreign and the university less intimidating. Often these students will have a grandmother, aunt or relative living in say, Wagga Wagga, Armidale or Bathurst. It will often not have entered their thoughts to think about studying in Sydney.

After nearly two decades of practising law in Sydney, I can now see more clearly the impact that Women’s had on me. Having attended a state high school and being the first person in my family to attend a university, Women’s gave a girl like me opportunities like no other. For me Women’s was indeed a home away from home, a place of learning, and a place where I experienced unparalleled friendship and camaraderie. But, for me, the life-changing factor was that Women’s gave me the confidence and a platform from which to imagine. I did not have the confidence to imagine myself working in a large law firm, or as a barrister, when I first arrived at Women’s. But I certainly did when I left.

That is where you—our alumnae living in rural Australia—can assist. The College needs you to be its eyes and ears in regional communities. The College asks you to look out for potential Women’s girls in your local communities. You know what she looks like. She might be a school captain, musician, an actor, a dux, a sportswoman or young leader of great merit. She is someone who you, or others in your community, see as having the potential to make the world a better place. If you don’t know who these students are, make it your business to find out. (That’s not very hard in a rural community!)

Now, living back in the country, I am reminded daily of the huge potential of so many country kids. Our local education foundation in Goulburn provides financial assistance to school leavers who are transitioning to university. Every year in our district alone I meet many wonderful kids, but I see at least a couple of high potential, high calibre students who are going off to regional universities who could equally have set their sights on Sydney University. They choose regional universities

Women’s is doing well compared to many residential colleges in terms of maintaining country connections. The proportion of residents from regional Australia is higher than most, and the College continues to cater for country girls. But the proliferation of regional universities in recent decades and their attraction for regional students is creating challenges. It is difficult for Sydney University and residential colleges to attract high calibre students from the bush, especially if they have no strong affiliation with that model via family and friends.

Let the College know and let such a young woman know that you think she might be a good fit. Women’s has many scholarships available for country girls—especially for those who attend government schools. The College leadership is making efforts to ensure that Women’s country connections are maintained in a genuine and egalitarian way. The University is making similar efforts. You can be assured that if there is a will for the right young woman to come to Women’s, then there will be a way. Get on board, be an advocate and help Women’s to continue to help young women from the country achieve their full potential. Over to you! Louise Clegg (1987 – 90)

F R E S H E R I N TA K E 2 0 1 5 Home Region

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Alumnae Relationships

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RURAL STUDENTS AIM HIGH Lauren Mewburn and Catherine Priestley both came to Sydney University because they were attracted to the opportunities for engagement offered by a top-tier university. Both students attended local country high schools–Lauren attended Hillston Central School and Catherine Gilgandra High School–and both worked hard to achieve strong ATAR (university entrance) scores which would enable entry to Sydney University. Lauren is now in the third year of her Applied Science (Physiotherapy) degree, and Catherine entered College this year as a Fresher after a Gap year working as an engineering surveyor’s assistant constructing rural roads and bridges. She is enrolled in a combined Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Arts degree. Lauren and Catherine’s decisions to Catherine Priestly and Lauren Mewburn apply to Women’s College came as a communities for those careers can be very limiting for country result of personal associations: Lauren’s students.” sister Jenna applied to Women’s after attending a leadership academy hosted by the College during her final years of high While home feels a long way away and the transition to College school. For Lauren it was a natural step to follow Jenna to and university life isn’t always easy, access to ideas and Women’s when she came to university. “Jenna would call home opportunities was a big drawcard for Catherine. Since coming regularly and tell me about the people who spoke at Formal to Sydney University she has started writing for a number of Dinner, and all the things at College she was involved in. It was publications and has joined university clubs and societies. “I’ve a real inspiration knowing there was a place with these kinds of always had an interest in writing and politics and big ideas, and opportunities for young women,” says Lauren, who is employed university is the place to get access to that. I chose Sydney as an Academic Assistant at College this year. because it gave me the opportunity to do combined Engineering and Arts–to learn practical skills but also to be exposed to big Catherine’s decision to apply to College came through her ideas. Sydney offers that diversity. You can be whoever you want association with Women’s College alumna Emma Robinson to be and your only constraint is time.” (McCUTCHEON: 2005-07), a local Gilgandra Pharmacist who was leader of Catherine’s youth group. Emma’s endorsement of Both Lauren and Catherine say they would like to spend time College held a lot of sway: “I knew I needed a network in Sydney working back in a rural setting, but they are keeping their options and Emma’s recommendation and experience made Women’s open. In the meantime, they are keen to encourage other rural feel immediately familiar,” says Catherine. and regional students to harness the opportunities offered by College and Sydney University, and to research pathways While many of their friends from school opted for regional and scholarships which will make the transition possible. “My universities, Lauren and Catherine set their sights high because Women’s College scholarship has given me the opportunity to they knew the career exposure would be greater with a degree live, work and study in Sydney,” says Lauren. “Without it I wouldn’t from a leading metropolitan university. “There aren’t a lot of be here. College provides such a great network of support and career opportunities out there for women,” says Lauren, who is challenges you to consider new ideas which will change your hoping that her younger sister will follow in her footsteps and future. On top of that you have the support of two hundred and also come to Women’s. “At College we are constantly exposed eighty other girls, and all of the Women’s alumnae who want the to ideas about our future professions and encouraged to pursue best for us as well.” really high level careers. The inability to return to our own

WOMEN’S COLLEGE SCHOL ARSHIPS The Women’s College offers a number of scholarships for resident and affiliate students on the basis of merit and financial need. Scholarships are available to students from government schools, rural areas, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, post graduate medical students and students aiming to study at The Conservatorium of Music. Students seeking consideration for a scholarship must first complete the on-line application, available on the College website www.thewomenscollege.com.au/apply-to-college. Scholarship applications for 2016 are open until 5 October, 2015. For more information visit www.thewomenscollege.com.au/scholarships.

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WOMEN’S TA K E S M A N H AT TA N Over the Australian summer Women’s College launched its first international internship in partnership with PineBridge Investments in New York. Final year Commerce Liberal Studies student Sophie McPhate was selected as the successful applicant to undertake the seven-week internship in the Legal and Compliance Department at PineBridge’s head office on Park Avenue, New York City. The College has been working to expand its internship program over the past year as part of a continued strategic focus on professional development, leadership training and mentoring. The New York internship was made possible through the connection with Women’s College alumna and former Senior Student Cissie Citardi [ABRAHAM: 1993-96], who is Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel at PineBridge. Cissie worked with her colleagues at PineBridge to establish the special internship position, which fell outside the normal US summer intern season and involved the additional challenges of visas and international travel arrangements. PineBridge is a global asset management firm with offices around the world, managing US$72.9 billion in assets for investors (as of 31 December 2014). As an intern in the Legal and Compliance department, Sophie spent her time helping to ensure that funds and investments complied with US and global regulatory frameworks. This entailed attending meetings, monitoring transactions with the trading desk, conducting counterparty KYC/AML, as well as reviewing and updating documentation and marketing materials. Sophie reported that her grounding in commercial law was enormously helpful in understanding US regulatory requirements. “When we were in meetings and briefings I could draw on parallels with the Australian context, and was able to understand the vocabulary,” says Sophie. “It would have been a much steeper learning curve without it.” Sophie says the time spent working in New York City was enormously exciting and challenging, from navigating the morning commute to surviving blizzard weather conditions. “New York feels like the focal point in a huge hardworking machine.” Working directly under Cissie added a special dimension to Sophie’s experience. “Cissie introduced me to each of her colleagues on my first day and explained our [College] connection to each other, so I felt like a little duckling under her wing. She is very senior in the company and highly respected, as well as being inclusive and positive in her working style. She was a great role model of a successful woman working in the corporate world.”

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All in a day’s work: Cissie Citardi mentors Women’s College intern Sophie McPhate

Cissie has remarked that the PineBridge team were impressed with Sophie’s input and professionalism during her time in their office. “She showed good judgement and had an extraordinary awareness and savviness about how to engage with people. She was resourceful and efficient and took the initiative to get what she wanted out of the internship.” Cissie stressed the importance of interning for recruiting exceptional talent into the PineBridge team.

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Photos: Sophie Matthewson

“If we can identify exceptional young women it really assists us with graduate employment. Forge a relationship with them, road test them and ideally, offer them a position if it goes well. We’d be delighted to have Sophie back again.” Since returning from New York, Sophie has started a Masters of International Relations at the University of Melbourne. It is hoped that the PineBridge internship will continue annually for a Women’s College student.

Cissie and Sophie outside the PineBridge offices in NYC THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE

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E V ENTS CO LL AG E

1. Sara Watts and Andrew Stevens converse with former NSW Governor and Chancellor Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO at the IWD cocktail event. 2. Freshers in O Week: Deanna Arora and Nicole Johnson. 3. Special Tweet: Senior Student Gabrielle Royle and Treasurer Arabella Roberts meet NSW Premier Mike Baird at the UN International Women’s Day Breakfast on 6 March. 4. Resident Assistants Lizzie Miller and Katie Miller ready to greet Freshers in O Week. 5. Rosie Castle takes second place in the Intercol Palladian Cup Solo Vocal Competition in March. 6. Olivia Perks, Professor Susan Pond AM and Professor Jane Latimer at IWD cocktails on 6 March. 7. Second-year students give their attention to the speaker at Formal Dinner in March. 8. University staff Professor Kathryn Refshauge, Professor Claire Wade and Dr Colleen Canning with Principal Dr Amanda Bell at the IWD event. 9. Cupcake decorating at the O Week Intercol Women’s Lunch. 10. House Committee and O Week Leaders show their Wizzie spirit. 11. Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence addresses guests at the joint IWD University of Sydney and Women’s College cocktail event. THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE

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12. Long-serving College staff Gineke de Haan (Conference Manager), Lorna Siah (Housekeeper), Mary McGuirk (Executive Assistant) and Peter Bull (Business Manager ) celebrate a combined half century of contributions to Women’s College in March. 13. Freshers excited for their first Formal Dinner in O Week: Dominique Louw and Danielle Addison. 12 THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE

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BOOK REVIEWS He Who Must be Obeid. The Untold Story by Kate McClymont and Linton Besser, Vintage Books, 2014.

so essential to getting behind the scandal of the day to an understanding of the full back story. Kate describes herself as ‘the queen of files’, albeit she has now moved the maybe 20,000 files on Eddie Obeid from paper to digital sources. Given the bad luck Mr Obeid has had over the years with fires at some of his premises, this could be a good move.

Has there ever been such a gift to journalism, to long form journalism, as ICAC?

Marie Coleman AO (BURNS: 1950-53)

The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) principal functions are set out in the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988. In summary, they are: • to investigate and expose corrupt conduct in the NSW public sector • to actively prevent corruption through advice and assistance, and • to educate the NSW community and public sector about corruption and its effects. From inception, the ICAC inquiries have successfully bitten the bums of both Labor and Liberal politicians in NSW. By March 2015 inquiries initially expected to damage Labor have led to the resignation from Parliament of a Premier and some eight Liberal parliamentarians, and damage to both the Federal and State Liberal administrations, as well as to the reputations of Labor figures. McClymont and Besser chronicle the extraordinary story of the malign influence of one man and his connections on the NSW Parliamentary Labor Party, a story made possible by ICAC investigations after decades of legal manoeuvers by the Hon. Edward Obeid MLC to cow investigative journalism. It’s a story not yet at its ultimate conclusion, and the formal processes of the law have yet to find the Obeid family members guilty of any specific offences, despite ICAC findings of corruption. The McClymont-Besser book was removed from sale shortly after the August 2014 launch—ironically in consequence of the Obeid dynasty’s well established strategy of threats of legal actions, but because of a confusion as to the correct identity of a Mr Brown. In the event, apologies have been made, books have been pulped, there is a reprint, and the book is once again on sale. ‘Follow the money’ was one of the lines which came out of Watergate. The Prussian Prince Von Bismarck, chancellor to kings, is credited with a statement to the effect that “The lesser the people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they sleep in the night”. In NSW (and elsewhere in Australia) we might well say that political fund-raising (for all parties) is like sausage making–best to avert one’s eyes. McClymont and Besser force us to look at the process in one party, and it isn’t pretty. McClymont has been focussed on Obeid for many years. In that time threats have forced her to relocate her family at some points. Kate McClymont is an alumna of Women’s College–an Arts/Law student, she was in residence in 1977-78. A BA (Hons) graduate, despite never finishing her Law degree she still retains strong connections to friendships established during her time in College. Kate says she ‘fell into’ journalism after meeting a friend at a party who had become a cadet with the Sydney Morning Herald. That was a revelation which spoke to her as a career. (Ironically, the friend subsequently left journalism and returned to the university as an academic.) In 1985 she joined the ABC, and worked with iconic figures such as Chris Masters, Tony Jones and Paul Barry, and spent some time on the 7.30 program, before returning to the Sydney Morning Herald with a round focussed on organised crime and politics. Both the SMH and the ABC have enabled that long form of journalism THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE

The Female Spectator Volume 1, 1745 “Reading is universally allowed to be one of the most improving as well as agreeable amusements; but then to render it so, one should, among the number of books which are perpetually issuing from the press, endeavour to single out such as promise to be most conducive to those ends.” The Female Spectator, Book I Among the books just received at College from the collection of Dale Spender* are two bound volumes of The Female Spectator. The Female Spectator is a monthly periodical that was conducted by Eliza Haywood from April 1744 to May 1746. Very little is known for certain about the early life of Eliza Haywood (c.1693-1756). There are several candidates for her parents and also for her husband—nor do we know for certain if she had children. We do know that she was, at times, an actor, dramatist, bookseller, poet and novelist: her most well-known novels today are the early ‘amatory’ fiction Love in Excess (1719) and the later History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless (1751). Haywood conceived of The Female Spectator as a periodical by women and for women—its title is a nod to The Spectator, the periodical produced by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele from 1711-1712. The Female Spectator ran through some of the most exciting years of the eighteenth century, including the attempted invasion of England by ‘The Young Pretender’, ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ Stuart in 1745. Eighteenth-century periodicals were, in content, similar to the magazines produced by newspapers today, such as the Good Weekend. They covered a miscellany of subjects, including questions of current affairs, fashion, book reviews, morality and comedy. They were intended to satisfy and promote a growing interest in ‘polite’ literature, and particularly writing for a growing class of literate, leisured women who had little formal education. Periodicals like those conducted by Addison and Steele or Samuel Johnson were collected and reprinted throughout the eighteenthcentury, and often served as moral literature for educating children (as in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey). Eliza Haywood’s periodical did not enjoy such a long afterlife: by the mid-eighteenth century Haywood was viewed with suspicion for her bawdy and erotic style—in the later part of the century such writing became increasingly unacceptable. It was only in the late twentieth century that writers like Haywood were ‘rediscovered’, and her work has been re-evaluated. The periodical of Chawton House Library in the UK (a library dedicated to early women’s writing) is named, in Haywood’s honour, The Female Spectator. Olivia Murphy (2001-04) *Over the past two decades Dr Dale Spender has donated several thousand volumes of her feminist theory collection to the College library. Her collection of early and rare women’s fiction and non-fiction writing is also being donated to the College. The two volumes of The Female Spectator are amongst the oldest books now held by the College Library.

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Elsie Jean Dalyell (M.B., Ch.M) (on far right) with fellow Women’s College students Charlotte Maud Bertie and Abbie Stone. Image courtesy Sydney University Archives

B E YO N D 1 9 1 4 : WOMEN’S COLLEGE AND W WI August 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. The University of Sydney is undertaking a major project to understand the history of the Australian experience of the War with the launch on 9 September 2014 by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO, of Beyond 1914: The University of Sydney and the Great War, an online biographical project that traces the lives of members of the University community involved in the conflict. Supported by a generous grant from the Chancellor’s Committee, and with support from Women’s College and St Paul’s and St Andrew’s Colleges, students from Women’s College feature prominently. For example, the database highlights the story of Dr Elsie Jean Dalyell who was one of the University’s first women graduates in Medicine and a resident at Women’s College in 1909. She completed her studies in 1910 and went on to become a pioneer resident medical officer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. In 1912, Dalyell relocated to the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine in London as the first Australian woman elected to a Beit Scholarship. Women were not able to enrol in the Australian Imperial Forces, so Elsie travelled to London and enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corp in January 1915. During the war she served in Serbia, helping to deal with the 1915 typhus epidemic, and later in Malta, Salonika and Constantinople. After the war she travelled to Vienna to study deficiency diseases in children, returning to Sydney in March 1923 via a speaking tour of the United States. As Elsie’s story shows, expertise was crucial to the First World War. Medicine, chemical warfare, munitions manufacture, sound ranging, and tunnelling all drew on academic knowledge. By tracing the biographies of those from the University who participated in the war, we can learn a lot more about both the impact of the universities on the war, and the war’s impact on them. Beyond 1914 has been built using information provided to the University between 1916 and 1938 by more than 2000 former staff, students, graduates and their families. This information was used to compile the University of Sydney’s Book of THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Remembrance, first published in 1939. Beyond 1914 uses this material to create an interactive, Elsie Dalyell searchable website that offers a unique insight into the lives of these University men and women before, during and after the war. In addition to extracts from the original Book of Remembrance, the database features personal diaries, war service records, photographs, letters, postcards, songbooks and Christmas and condolence cards. This substantial collection was compiled by the University at the time but has never before been published. But Beyond 1914 is far from complete. There are 500 people listed on Beyond 1914 for whom there is no information at all, and there are likely to be many more associated with the University community who participated in the war effort, but who were not recorded in the original Book of Remembrance. The project is therefore appealing to members of the public for help. It seeks more information about those who are already in the database, including birth and death details, records of their schooling, letters, archives, and memorabilia, and also suggestions of other individuals who might have been overlooked in the original compilation. New information and material will be continually added to the site over the next three years, enabling historians to gain much greater insight into the role war played in the development and application of knowledge in Australia. If you have further knowledge of someone who features on the site or would like to help us search for this information, please go to www.beyond1914.sydney.edu.au and visit the ‘contribute’ page, or contact the Senior Research Fellow, Dr Tamson Pietsch, via the College. Tamson Pietsch Senior Research Fellow

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A LU M N A E CO M M IT TEE REPORT

Claire Paterson, Danielle Cook, Christine Peters, Sarah Hudspeth Stevenson and Alexandra Catterall

Lillian Wright, Madeleine Swan, Michelle Gregory and India Edwards

One of the most rewarding parts of my role as President is not only meeting many of our talented alumnae, but seeing the ways in which they use their talents to give back to our Women’s community. For some this means mentoring current students, for others, organising reunions that enable cohorts to reconnect, catch up on each others’ lives and perhaps even find new ways to engage with College. Members of Council donate their time and expertise to serve the College’s governing body and ensure the advantages that all alumnae were fortunate to enjoy can continue to be enhanced for students of the future. Following an election at the end of 2014, I congratulate the newly elected members of the Council, Dr Jenny Allum, Dr Sally Auld and Ms Julie McKay. I equally thank the two re-elected members–both of whom are alumnae–Dr Jennifer Davidson and Ms Camille Blackburn–for their ongoing service to the College. I am pleased that seven of the current elected members of Council are alumnae, residents spanning the years between 1977 and 2002. It was wonderful to have such interest from alumnae in the election and we are fortunate indeed to have strong stewardship for the future of Women’s. On 20 February the College hosted more than fifty recent leavers for the Young Alumnae Cocktail Reunion (pictures on left). This much-enjoyed event in the calendar is attended by those who have left College in the past several years, and is a great opportunity to catch up, return to College and the neighbourhood of university days. It is fantastic to see our younger alumnae remaining engaged in College life. Speaking of engagement, it is our intention to communicate regularly with alumnae in the form of an email newsletter. If you would like to ensure that you don’t miss it–and other communications from the College–I urge you to visit the website and update your email details with College (www. thewomenscollege.com.au/keeping-in-touch). Our next Alumnae blue ribbon event is the much-loved Wisteria Lunch on Saturday 19 September, so please note it in your diaries. I look forward to regularly providing you with opportunities to engage with College and our community. Tori Edwards President, Alumnae Committee

Lara Meers, Jocelyn Gulliver and Sarah Sweeney

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A LU M N A E REUNION IN BRISBANE Alumnae and friends gathered on Saturday 28 March at The Gardens Club, housed within the heritage-listed Curator’s Cottage in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens near QUT. Principal, Dr Amanda Bell, was pleased to outline some of the latest initiatives in relation to the new strategic imperatives of leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and our College environment. Former Council member Lynn Rainbow Reid and John Reid AO

Dr Diana O’Connor (GARDNER) and Eric Anderson

Dr Janine Barrett, Dr Rick Symons and Michelle Vett (SMALL)

A LU M N A E H O N OU RS

In February alumnae Annabel Spring and Heather Ridout were named in The Australian’s monthly business magazine The Deal’s inaugural list of Australia’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. Heather Ridout AO (LAUGHLIN: 197274) is currently Chair of Australian Super, Australia’s largest industry superannuation fund. Heather is a member of the Reserve Bank Board, a director of ASX Limited and former chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, in addition to membership of numerous other boards. Annabel Spring (1989-93) is Group Executive, Wealth Management, at the Commonwealth Bank, responsible for CBA’s wealth management business including Colonial First State, Colonial First State Global Asset Management, wealth management advice and insurance arm CommInsure.

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Photo courtesy ABC

Two Women’s College alumnae were recognised in the 2015 Australia Day Honours List. Diane Katrina Johnstone (1970-72) was named a Member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia for “significant service to international relations through support for creative arts in South Africa, and to the community of Canberra.” Margaret Susan Carroll (1966-67) received a Medal (OAM) in the general division “for service to rural and regional communities in NSW, and to women.” The College community extends its sincere congratulations to Diane and Margaret, both pictured on this page.

Diane Johnstone AM

Margaret Carroll OAM

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VA L E FIONA GARDINER-HILL BA LLB LLM (1981-83) 10 FEBRUARY 2014 College friend Joanne Hawker (PERROTTET: 1981-83) writes: Fiona arrived at Women’s College in 1981 ready to embark upon an Arts/Law degree at the University of Sydney. She found herself in the large, middle room in the Fresher corridor of Langley wing and her room soon became the hub for all of her contemporaries. Although quiet and gentle in demeanour, Fiona was warm, generous and considerate in nature. It quickly became apparent that she was to be everybody’s confidante and a lifelong and loyal friend. Fiona’s schooling had been at Ascham where she was a talented and diligent student and finished Dux in her final year. At University she embraced the intellectual challenges of her degree and owing to her copper-plated study notes, sublime attention to detail and amazing intellect was consistently surrounded by eager Women’s College study buddies.

She was inherently collaborative and eager to enlighten all of us who found those complex legal intricacies totally incomprehensible. Fiona was naturally hospitable. During her three years at College it was her room in which we would gather for tea and chocolate bars purchased from the much maligned College dispensing machine. This flair for entertaining was extended to her family home. As a large number of her College friends were country based, we would tackle the New South Head Road S bends and descend en masse for delicious home cooked dinners or a smarties-covered double chocolate cake to celebrate a birthday. Fiona’s loyalty and generosity in her friendships was replicated in her professional life. After graduating in 1986 she joined Freehills and was made a partner in 1996. Fiona built a reputation as one of Australia’s leading lawyers for mergers and acquisitions, corporate and securities law. She lectured at Sydney University on corporate and securities regulation and was a Sydney Law School Foundation member. In March 2013, she was appointed to the Takeovers Panel, a recognition by the industry of her brilliance and legal acumen. It is noted by her colleagues that in her 28 years at the firm she was nothing other than courteous, caring and charming to all who crossed her path. Owing to her unwavering integrity and grace under pressure, Fiona is to be lauded as a true role model for the entire legal fraternity.

SUSAN TOOTH 25 JANUARY 2015 College friend Jennelle Ferrier (1981-83) writes: Suzie grew up on a grazing property west of Barraba in north-west NSW. She attended Barraba Central Public School and boarded at New England Girls’ School (NEGS). She was a competent hockey player and strong academically; like her mother she became Head Girl at NEGS in her final year. Suzie came to Sydney University to study a Bachelor of Economics after a year undertaking a secretarial course and working as a personal assistant in a bank. At Women’s College she formed a large circle of close friends, one of whom was Fi Gardiner Hill, whom we have also tragically lost this past year. Suzie was one of those girls who got on with things. She was always at the centre of activity at College but never got into mischief.

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BEc M PSYCH (CLINICAL), MAPS (1982-83)

After finishing her degree Suzie travelled overseas for a while, then returned to work in finance for IBM and several investment companies. She spent some time working in media and marketing, and took a sabbatical for a year doing a photography course and working as a photographer in Paris. In the mid-1990s Suzie returned to university to study psychology, a career in which she excelled. Suzie established her own HR consulting business and worked as a clinical psychologist, later moving into full-time academic life as a lecturer in the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences at the University of New England. Her research centred on anxiety and panic disorders, especially with regard to effective treatments. In 2014 she enrolled in a PhD exploring the cognitive vulnerability to anxiety and developing practice methods for clinicians. Despite being a natural introvert, Suzie was a great conversationalist, an amazing listener and she was never judgemental. She was the vault for so many of our secrets. Suzie will be remembered as a beautiful, gentle and thoughtful soul who made a positive impact on everyone’s lives. She lived elegantly and gracefully on this earth.

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K AT R I N A D A W S O N MEMORIAL SERVICE THE GREAT HALL, UNIVERSIT Y OF SYDNEY TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER, 2014 Loved and loving family, dear friends: It is an honour for me to share remembrances of Katrina Dawson with you. In the last week, through tears of anguish and deep sadness, people across our country have come to know Katrina with love, respect, admiration; belonging to us all—her achievements, her contributions:

The barrister, the fierce intellect.

The things that stand like stone.

Kindness, courage, selflessness.

A woman of her time.

and the Tenants Union. I observed her sensitivity to those affected by disadvantage and her belief in the dignity and worth of every human being.

Family, marriage, work, community, giving, sharing, responsibility, accomplishment.

Oh yes, we spoke of many things. Her hopes, her aspirations, her future.

We have looked into the images of a lovely young couple— sparkle, energy, vivacity—Katrina keeping a little to herself, that gentle modesty of hers. At the heart of it all, a wonderful young Australian woman of immense capacity, strength of character and purpose. Coming into her own, into the fullness of her life, into the fulfilment of sure foundations, of reaching her extraordinary potential. So much more, for her to do. Today we celebrate Katrina’s glittering prizes, her fine personal qualities, and the joie de vivre she carried. She was not too good to be true, but very nearly so. I remember the first time we met on the steps of Women’s College in 1997. It was in O Week. Katrina and her pals on the House Committee had the job of settling the Freshers in and ensuring that they survived the extreme nonsense planned for them. Exhilarating and exhausting. I saw straight away the energy, the organiser, the girl you could count on. I knew about her, the perfect score in the HSC, the Grace Frazer scholarship (indeed the 3rd in her family), but what I did not know was how much I would value and enjoy the enduring friendship, established in those early days of my years as Principal—the privilege of living in a community of scholars, in their important and influential years of transition from girlhood to womanhood. Katrina threw herself into College life—that full engagement, that total commitment she gave to everything she took on. Enthusiasm in spades—rowing, basketball, skiing, tennis, swimming, hockey, debating. In 1998 she was elected Senior Student—a demanding position that is about trust, leadership, integrity, good humour, some difficult decisions. At 20, an assured and thoughtful public speaker, incisive and persuasive in argument. My notes of our conversations of the time remind me that we often spoke of human rights issues at international and local levels, and ways in which ideals and ideas can be translated into practice. Katrina quietly and consistently was working as a volunteer in Médecins Sans Frontières, the Redfern Legal Centre THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE

In a conference paper in 1998, A College of One’s Own, Katrina quoted Jill Kerr Conway: “An essential part of women’s education comes from living and working in close association with women peers. Through the mirror of women colleagues who are leaders, scholars, path breakers, skilled professionals, young women learn to know and value themselves.” I am confident in saying that Katrina loved her college years. We “Women’s girls” keep in touch. I followed Katrina’s milestones with absolute delight—meeting now and then—treasured family connections keeping me up to date. I was thrilled when she went to the Bar and into practice. She loved it immediately and she fell in love. We watched in wonder as she and Paul pursued demanding careers with the bliss of having three dear little children, Chloe, Oliver and Sascha. Ladies and Gentlemen, Katrina’s life stands as a source of courage, support and inspiration to friends and colleagues and to all who loved her. Our country has lost a shining star. A golden life that will always be remembered in a way that gives us hope and reassurance. The Katrina Dawson Foundation will focus on the education of women, giving opportunities for reaching potential, for contributing and achieving—to live the life imagined. A promise for the future of our nation and I am honoured to be its founding member. Katrina knew and understood the power of education—the transformation it brings, the meaning it gives to equality of opportunity, to empowerment of women. Her Foundation will carry on her efforts to enrich and enhance our community; generous spirit, taking action, authentic, practical. It will enable amazing young women like her to follow her example—to follow their dreams. The Hon. Quentin Bryce AD CVO

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Hester Wright performs Regina Caeli by Francesca Caccini, composed in 1618, accompanied by Joanna Tondys and Shaun Ng

O F M Y S T I C S A N D M O R TA L S On 22 March Women’s College alumna Hester Wright (200204) presented a special concert Of Mystics and Mortals: The Music of Early Women Composers in the Main Common Room at the College. The concert showcased sacred and secular musical works composed by women from the seventh century BC to the early eighteenth century, and featured Hester as vocalist performing with with harpsichordist Joanna Tondys and Shaun Ng on strings. Born in Armidale NSW, Hester completed a Bachelor of Arts (Music) at the University of Sydney, and in 2010 was awarded an Associate of Music Diploma with Distinction from the

AMEB. She has performed as a soloist and chorister with the Brandenburg Choir, the Choir of St James King Street, the Choir of the Cantillation and the Sydney Chamber Choir. An avid Early Music singer, Hester teaches music at Mona Vale Public School and is a vocal tutor with the NSW Arts Unit Junior Singers. For the past two years she has also assisted Women’s College as a vocal coach for our winning Intercollegiate Palladian Cup solo and ensemble vocal performers. The College was thrilled to welcome Hester back for her special public performance and invites venue bookings from any of our alumnae wishing to hold events at College.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS The College is a much sought after venue for conferences, dinners, seminars, concerts, cocktail events, engagements and weddings. The historic Main Common Room and Louisa Macdonald Dining Hall, along with the Menzies Common Room, Library, courtyards, verandahs and gardens provide versatile opportunities for all occasions. Accommodation packages in conjunction with conferences and events are available across summer. Revenue derived from these external sources enables the College to subsidise our student programs throughout the academic year. Our talented music students can also provide cameo performances for events—including string ensembles and soloists—to personalise special occasions; this assists our students with performance opportunities and to off-set their College expenses. The College will provide a discount for alumnae who choose to hold an event here. For further information please contact Gineke de Haan conference@thewomenscollege.com.au Right: The Main Common Room; Harpist Elise Morton

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VOLUME 31 / NUMBER 1

THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE DONORS 1 July – 31 December, 2014 Photo courtesy Stills Gallery

Our sincere thanks to all who supported the College in the second half of 2014. This list acknowledges the generosity of our donors and the diverse range of philanthropic support College receives. No matter how small or large, each gift and gesture makes a difference to our students—current and future. Zaina Ahmed Alliance Group Anonymous Katherine Archer Ian Archibald Leonie Armstrong Ann Armstrong Jean Ashton Deborah Bailey Marian Baird Karen Banfield Claire Barnes Ruth Barry Mary Barton Susan Becker Fiona Beith Amanda Bell Anthony Boyden William Brooks Eliza Brooks Margaret Burgess AO Alice Byrnes Catherine Cameron Camilla Cameron Penelope Cameron Julian Campbell Frankie Coen Ian Cook Danielle Cook Lucy Corbett Sarah Davies Georgia Dawson Jane Dawson Gineke de Haan Kim de Haan Maria Dias Julia Donnelly Paul Donnelly Pamela Donnelly Myles & Piers Donnelly Robyn Doughty Virginia Dowd Andreas Economides Elizabeth Elliott AM Malia Emberson-Lafoa’i Bridget Fell Weijia Feng Annie Fenwicke Barbara Fielding Charlotte Fletcher Janet Flint Simon Ford Jill Forrest AM Carolyn Gavel

Katherine Georgouras OAM Wendy Greenwood Valerie Grogan AM Murray Guest Annelise Guest Alison Gyger Anne Harbers Victoria Harper Lindy Henderson Jill Henry Bronwyn Herbert Peter Herrmann Jean Himmelhoch Melissa Hinde Imogen Hines Sarah Hudspeth-Stevenson Millicent Hughes Jessica Hunter Stephen Ingate Gabrielle Ingate Theresa Jacques Jane Keir Julia Keyworth Alisha King Natalie Klug Rebekah Kwa Rachael Kwa Ian Lean Felicity Lehane Patricia Lesslie Elizabeth MacDiarmid Nicola Macgregor Georgia Mack Anne MacLeod Karinch Dominique Madden Amanda Madew Robert Maker Magdalen Malone Betty Marks OAM Samantha Marriott Kathryn McClymont Marise McConaghy Janet McCredie AM Kerry McFadyen Sophie McPhate Bruce McWilliam Lindy McWilliam Boyden Beth Menzies Katherine Miller Emelia Milliner Stephanie Moffitt Caroline Muirhead Emma Murphy Philippa Murray

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Mary Page Elizabeth Palmer Claire Paterson Georgina Pearce Christine Peters Rachael Peterson Bronte Phillipps Tamson Pietsch Christine Pirie Eleanor Prokop Penelope Rafferty Diana Reid Kathryn Rendell Anna Rennie Cressida Rigney David Roberts Joan Ross Catherine Rothery Noeleen Louise Russell Elizabeth Sakker Lyn Fay Shapiro Trish Sharp Lorna Siah Fiona Sinclair India Smith Barbara Spode Rosemary Stewart Arielle Stone Felicity Street Linda Swan Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness Matilda Symonds Margaret Tink Elizabeth Tondl Kay Tucker TWC Alumnae TWC Student Club Janet Vaughan Mary Walker Katherine Walker Catherine Waller Judith Webb Westpac Ruby Connection Stephen White Sue White Matthew Wigzell Alicia Williams Charles Williams Gay Windeyer Elizabeth Wood Peter & Sonia Zawal Victoria Zerbst

C H AT E L A I N E The College would like to acknowledge Deborah Bailey (1976-79), along with friends and family of the late Claudia (Jane) Walton (BAILEY: 1975-78) LLB BTh MIntBus&L FAICD, who have generously donated in her memory Robyn Stacey’s beautiful photograph, Chatelaine, for the College Dining Hall. Deborah commented that she felt the work reflected Jane’s own aesthetic and is a lovely tribute to her life. The work is from Stacey’s Tall Tales and True series of artworks focusing on objects from a number of historic houses around Sydney. Chatelaine features a sumptuous collection of objects, including the silver chatelaine, from the collection of Vaucluse House which belonged to its former inhabitant Sarah Wentworth. Robyn Stacey has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally since the mid-1980s.Her works are held in numerous Australian art galleries, as well as university, corporate and private collections.

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OPEN DAY

POSTAL: The University of Sydney NSW 2006 LOCATION: 15 Carillon Ave Newtown NSW 2042 PHONE: +61 2 9517 5000 EMAIL: reception@thewomenscollege.com.au TWITTER: @WomensColl INSTAGRAM: womenscoll www.thewomenscollege.com.au