the portrait gallery
It is a tremendous honour to feature in the Portrait Gallery of Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School. The alumni who appear in this collection have achieved, and continue to achieve, significant milestones. Their presence in the gallery is a tribute to their time at the school and recognition of their enduring accomplishments.
As Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School welcomes its inductees, the Foundation celebrates the members of the Portrait Gallery and provides them with the opportunity to support and lift the future generation of leaders, thinkers and doers.
In this way, we seek to honour the past, the present and importantly – the future.
ABOUT THE gallery
Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School played a formative role in helping to create and shape the inductees of the Portrait Gallery. The gallery recognises, rewards and promotes the feats these individuals have accomplished through education, ambition and opportunity.
The Foundation has now immortalised members of the Portrait Gallery in a digital format so that their legacy can live on and be showcased beyond the School halls.
Explore the wonderful achievements of the members of the Portrait Gallery and how they continue to inspire and support the future generation.
MEET THE 2026 INDUCTEES
Dr Vicky Au
1990-1993
Dr Vicky Au is a strategic advisor and connector who has built a career at the intersection of industry, research, and government –translating complex knowledge into strategy, partnerships, and real-world outcomes across energy, innovation, and emerging technologies.
Gayle Hardie
1965-1969
Working across strategy, cultural change and emotional wellbeing, Gayle co-founded an organisation dedicated to healthy leadership and supporting communities through philanthropic and pro bono work. She also played a key role in the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Professor Dale Kent
1956-1959
An acclaimed historian and author, Dale has built an internationally recognised career in Renaissance studies, with a particular focus on fifteenth-century Florence and the Medici family. Her award-winning publications include Cosimo de’ Medici and the Florentine Renaissance. Dale has held fellowships and visiting positions at institutions including Harvard University, Princeton, UC Berkeley and the Getty Center, and continues to mentor students and scholars following her return to Australia.
Dr Sally Ng
1998-1999
A leading plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Sally is recognised for her work in oncological microsurgery, lymphatic surgery and burn rehabilitation. After graduating as joint Dux of Mac.Rob in 1999, she completed medicine at Monash University before undertaking advanced surgical training across Asia, Europe and the United States. Sally now leads lymphatic services and a plastic surgery research unit at Austin Health, while continuing to drive innovation in patient care, research and surgical leadership.
Olyvia Nikou KC
1967-1970
A highly respected barrister and academic, Olyvia built a distinguished legal career specialising in family law and Hague Convention cases, becoming the first Greek-born person appointed Silk in Australia in 2000. Alongside her work in the courts, Olyvia has lectured internationally, mentored young lawyers, and contributed expertise to courts and conferences globally.
Meaghan Shaw
1986-1989
Meaghan Shaw is a diplomat who has been posted to China as Australia’s Consul-General to Chengdu, as well as to Australia’s Embassy in Beijing. She trained as a journalist and worked at The Age for 10 years before serving as a media adviser to ministers in the Victorian and Commonwealth governments, and as a communications adviser in the NFP sector.
Millicent (Boba) Vladiv-Glover
An esteemed academic and literary scholar, Millicent built an internationally respected career in Russian, Slavic and comparative literature at Monash University, where she lectured for more than four decades before retiring as Associate Professor in 2013. Her research on Dostoevsky, literary theory and cultural movements produced eight monographs and more than 100 scholarly publications, alongside editorial leadership of several international academic journals.
more MEMBERS of the portrait gallery
This section will be updated regularly and members will be featured on rotation so that we can showcase all the wonderful individuals in the Portrait Gallery. We aim to reach out to all members in due course and provide them with an opportunity to be immortalised digitally.
Eva Besen AO
1942-1945
A philanthropist and passionate advocate for healthcare and the Arts, Eva co-founded "Friends of the Peter Mac" and served on the board of Peter MacCallum Hospital. She was an active contributor to the NGV, NGA and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, Eva and her husband established the Tarrawarra Museum of Art.
Leonie Bird
1959-1962
An accomplished barrister and theologian, Leonie has achieved a remarkable career spanning law, education, community service and religious studies. She serves on the board of a domestic violence shelter, and is as an ambassador for Anglicare Victoria. Leonie has been a member of the Palladians for more than 30 years.
Anna Brown OAM
1993-1996
Anna Brown OAM is a lawyer and advocate. Her fingerprints are on nearly every major reform for LGBTIQ+ people in recent years, including playing a crucial role in achieving marriage equality as co-chair of the ‘YES’ campaign.
Sarah Davidson
2003-2006
Sarah Davidson is a lawyer, entrepreneur and media personality. Her award-winning podcast (and later, best-selling book), Seize the Yay, inspires others to swap metrics such as success and the glorification of busy for fulfilment and joy. Sarah is also a motivational speaker, MC, author and TV host.
Destiny Deacon
1973
Destiny (1956-2024) was a renowned Indigenous Australian artist, photographer and videographer. A descendant of the KuKu (Far North Queensland) and Erub/Mer (Torres Strait) peoples, Deacon's work was known for its provocative and humorous exploration of Indigenous identity.
Larissa Dubecki
1987-1990
Larissa was shortlisted in the Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards as the world’s best critic, while Epicure won world’s best food and wine section in a newspaper. She has appeared as a guest judge on Master Chef and a permanent judge on Iron Chef. Her works appear in Gourmet Traveller, Time Out, The Age and Guardian Australia.
Professor Elif Ekinci
1991-1994
Professor Elif Ekinci is a clinician scientist, an academic endocrinologist who is working to translate research into improved outcomes for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Her research is focused on the pathophysiology, prevention, detection and treatment of diabetes and its complications in humans.
Krystina Emmanouilides
2005-2008
Krystina Emmanouilides is a Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer at Sauber Motorsport AG, who entered into the 2022 Formula One World Championship as Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN. An ambassador for Motorsport Australia’s FIA Girls on Track program, Krystina hopes to improve access to information for young girls aspiring to enter the motorsport industry.
Esther Erlich
1970-1973
Best known for her gritty style of portraiture, Esther is an artist who has been exhibiting since 1985. She won the 1998 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for her painting “Gaunt and Glorious”, a portrait of Steve Moneghetti, and in 2000 won the Archibald People’s Choice Award with her painting of Bill Leak.
Tess Fitzgerald
1997-2000
At the forefront of decarbonisation in Australia’s energy sector, Tess works extensively with state and Commonwealth governments, industry partners and market institutions to plot a new path for Australia’s energy in the 21st Century.
Dr Alice Garner
1983-1986
Alice is a teacher, historian, actor, and musician. Her first professional acting role was at the age of 11 in the feature film Monkey Grip. She went on to work in Melbourne theatre, TV, film and radio, and highlights include Love and Other Catastrophes, Sea Change and Secret Life of Us.
Kathryn Gilmore
1972-1973
Kathryn a is Professor-in-Practice at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Honorary Professor at the University of Essex and a former Fellow with Harvard University. She started her career in social work, combating violence against women and helping to establish Australia’s first centre against sexual assault.
Dr Elizabeth Grant AM
1943-1946
Elizabeth was a trailblazing pharmacist and businesswoman who made lasting impacts in health administration, medical research and community programs. Atter swimming competitively for Victoria, she opened her own pharmacy in 1958 – a rarity for women at the time – while advocating for women's advancement.
Seen Lee
1997-2000
The first Australian woman to medal in weightlifting, Seen won three bronze medals at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. She went onto represent Australia at the 2012 London Olympics, as well as several world championships and more than 30 global competitions. In parallel to her sporting career, Seen is a mining engineer.
Jude Munro AO
1965-1969
Jude became one of the first women to lead a local council in Australia, at age 39. She was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010 for her services to local government, and given the keys to the City of Brisbane. She has been a director or chair of 30 boards across 11 industries in the past 25 years.
Genevieve Overell AM FAICD HonRAIA
1975-1976
Genevieve is a company director, audit committee chair and trusted adviser. Former Head of Government Advisory at Deutsche Bank Australia, Senior Executive in the Victorian Government and KPMG Partner, Genevieve brings multi-sectoral experience in infrastructure, property and construction and government projects.
Vicky Papachristos
1979-1982
Vicky is a leading female in the corporate world and an inspirational figure. With 25 years of experience in a range of fields including senior positions at Shell, Myer, Visa, Just Jeans and the Sydney Olympics, Vicky is paving the path for the next generation of females in traditionally male-dominated professions.
Dr Sian Prior
1979-1982
Sian is a writer, broadcaster, university lecturer, activist and musician. Sian’s works have been published in newspapers and magazines globally. Sian is the author of ‘Shy: A Memoir’ (2014) and ‘Childless: A Story of Freedom and Longing’ (2022); the latter short-listed for The Age Book of the Year.
Alice Pung OAM
1997
Alice is an award-winning author who was awarded an Order of Australia in 2022 for her services to literature. She has won the WA Premier’s Literary Award, the Australian Book Industry Award, the Ethel Turner Prize for Literature, and was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
Jennifer ten Seldam
1992-1995
Jennifer is a marketing and leadership development executive who builds high-performing teams at top companies. Drawing from her corporate experience and coaching accreditations, she co-founded Wingmaven to help businesses and leaders achieve bold ambitions through strategic advisory and strengths-based coaching.
Alida Sempill
1958-1961
Alida is a former ballerina, gracing stages in Australia, London and the US, the latter of which performing at principal level with the National Ballet, Chicago Ballet, New York City Ballet, San Diego Ballet Company, and the American Ballet Theatre. Her memoir, Out of Step, was published in 1993 by Melbourne Uni Press.
Dr Judith Smart AM
1964-1967
Judith was the first woman to edit Australian Historical Studies. She is an RHSV Fellow, adviser for the Australian Dictionary of Biography, a board member of the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History and served as Deputy Chair of the History Council of Victoria and Vice-President of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies.
Jacqui Weatherill
1980-1983
Jacqui is a leader in the public sector, sports administration and gender equality advocacy. Her impressive career spans chief executive roles at local councils and trusts, presidencies with Gymnastics Australia and the Federation of International Gymnastics, and extensive non-executive directorships.
Margaret Webb AM
1956-1959
Margaret worked in education for 44 years, including as a physical education teacher at Mac.Rob. A past President of the Palladians Association and active member of the Mac.Rob Foundation, she has a long history in girls’ physical education, Indigenous education, global mentoring programs, and women’s leadership and development.
THE PORTRAIT GALLERY:
2008-2023
Visit the following profiles for more information on the remarkable members of the Portrait Gallery:
Captain Katja Bizilj (1976-1979)
Antoinette Halloran (1983-1986)
Debra Knight (1976-1977)
Tan Le (1990-1993)
Ida Lichter (1961-1964)
Professor Ann Nicholson (1979-1982)
Mary Sheargold (1996-1999)
Susan Sherson (1955-1958)
Wendy R. Taylor (1955-1958)
Professor Clare Wright OAM (1983-1986)
All inductees of the Portrait Gallery will be featured in this index as the digital gallery grows. Please check back regularly for updates.
If you are a Portrait Gallery member who would like to work with us to help future inductees, we would love to work with you.
Simply get in touch, and we can discuss the best way you can help us.
