Twenty-five exceptional women have been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, celebrating contributions made to local communities and achievements from human rights advocacy to sport and medicine.

This year’s inductees include Dr Christine Tippett, a specialist in high-risk obstetrics, businesswoman Hana Assafiri, media personality and UNICEF Ambassador Carrie Bickmore, the first female to coach in the AFL Peta Searle and the late Stella Young, activist and comedian who challenged the way Australians view disability.

Each year, the Honour Roll celebrates exceptional women in Victoria who have made significant and lasting contributions to their local community, the nation or the world. The 2017 inductees will join more than 600 remarkable women named in the Honour Roll since it commenced in 2001.

This year an Ambassadors and Alumni program will be launched, expanding the platform of these women beyond a ceremonial event once a year. This program will be an opportunity to bring together these women – and the communities they represent – to raise the profile of women’s leadership in Victoria.

This year’s inductees are:

  • Ms Brenda Appleton
  • Ms Hana Assafiri
  • Dr Lou Bennett
  • Ms Carrie Bickmore
  • Mrs Patricia Bigham
  • Mrs Sheila Byard OAM
  • Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea
  • Mrs Karen Hayes
  • Ms Mel Jones
  • Mrs Rae Kingsbury
  • Ms Kim Koop
  • Ms Celeste Liddle
  • Ms Rafaela Lopez
  • Ms Jessica Macpherson
  • Ms Helen Marcou
  • Ms Kristy McKellar
  • Dr Ruth McNair
  • Ms Natalie Miller OAM, AO
  • Ms Anna Moo
  • Ms Susan Provan
  • Ms Peta Searle
  • Ms Wendy Steendam
  • Dr Christine Tippett AM
  • Mrs Jan Wilson
  • Ms Stella Young

For more information and to read more about these women visit http://www.vic.gov.au/women/women-s-leadership/victorian-honour-roll-of-women.html.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Fiona Richardson

“Too often, women’s achievements and contributions are not recognised, despite leaving a lasting impact on their communities. These women have changed lives and the Victorian Honour Roll pays homage to their work.”

“Women contribute to their local communities in so many ways. These women have agitated for social justice and pushed frontiers. The women on the Honour Roll are role models for all Victorians .”