Notable women

The OGCA Notables Gallery recognises and honours former students of the College who are outstanding in their fields.

When the Notables Gallery was launched in 2011, it featured 44 students. It should come as no surprise that, in a school that spent over a hundred years exclusively educating boys, 43 of the first ‘Notables’ featured were male.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Corke (OGC 1997) was the first female to be inducted. However, it is heartening to see that she is no longer the lone female representative on the wall. In the 13 years since its inaugral induction took place, 15 other woman have joined her ranks. Here, we feature a snapshot of their achievements.

Harriet Brown (OGC 2008)

Harriet attended the College 1997-2008. She was a prolific sportsperson, serving on multiple teams including athletics, swimming, hockey and waterpolo. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2018 as a water sports champion, achievements including World Ironwoman Champion in 2016.

Jennifer Cleary (OGC 2011)

Jen attended the College 1998-2011. At school she excelled across mulitple disciplines and was a member of successful rowing crews from Year 10, including state champions and Head of the River. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2018 as an Australian Rower, representing Australia at the 2016 Olympics.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Corke OAM (OGC 1997)

Lizzie attended the College 1995-1997. She was a member of Calvert House and received House colours for debating and cross country. In 2011 she became the first female Old Collegian to be inducted into the Notables Gallery for her award-winning work in conservation, co-founding the Conservation Ecology Centre in Cape Otway.

Nicole Curtis AM (OGC 1988)

Nicole attended the College 1976-1983. She returned in 1987 and graduated in 1988. She was a Coles House Prefect in 1988 and received multiple House colours for sport, music and debating. In 2022 Nicole was inducted into the Notables Gallery for her achievements in medicine and the Royal Australian Navy, serving as Director-General of Garrison Health Operations.

Dr Claire FentonGlynn (nee Simmonds) (OGC 2002)

Claire attended the College 1995-2002. She was an all-round student involved in many aspects of College life, including serving as Wettenhall House Prefect. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2016 for her award-winning work as a Child and Family Law academic, including serving as a consultant with several global and national organisations.

Jennifer Hawkins (nee Le Deux) (OGC 1977)

Jennie attended the College in 1977. She was a member of the 1st netball team and rowing crews, receiving House colours for athletics and netball.

She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2016 for her advocacy work for Australian agriculture and rural communities, serving on the inaugural Regional Women’s Advisory Council and numerous other community roles.

The Jennie Hawkins Scholarship was founded in her honour following her death in 2015.

Jennie was part of the school’s first cohort of girls who attended when co-education was introduced at The Geelong College in 1975.

Sarah Henderson (OGC 1981)

Sarah attended the College 19771981. She became the first female School Captain in the College’s history in 1981. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2014 for her position as a member in the House of Representatives for Corangamite, Victoria in 2013. She is now Senator for Victoria. Prior to this she was a prominent journalist and lawyer.

Sarah Hope Schofield (OGC 2004)

Sarah attended the College 1998-2004. She was an active sports participant during her years at school and she was stroke of the Girls’ 1st rowing VIII in 2004. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2016 for her global experience as a fashion designer, including work at Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci, Versace and Jacquemus, and her own brand ASSK.

Phoebe Kelly (nee Stanley) (OGC 2003)

Phoebe attended the College 1998-2003. She was a talented sportsperson, involved in a number of sports and was appointed Captain of Boats, School Prefect and Co-Captain of Coles House. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2014 for her rowing career as ten-time Australian National Champion, multiple World Championship medals and her attendance at the 2012 London Olympics.

Dr Sarah Leach (OGC 1973)

Sarah attended the College 1975-1976. She was one of the first female School Prefects in 1976 and was involved in sports and music. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2016 for her leadership in the healthcare, community and welfare sectors, and is Adjunct Associate Professor, Faculty of Health, Deakin University.

Rebecca Maddern (OGC 1995)

Rebecca attended the College in 1995. She was a McArthur House Prefect and won the Australian Studies Prize. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2022 for her work as a presenter and journalist. She was the first female presenter of The Footy Show, covering numerous sports and events, and now presents 7 News.

Sally Morris (OGC 1993)

Sally attended the College 19871993. She was a member of the athletics and swimming teams and received the Physical Education Prize in 1993. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2014 for her involvement in waterskiing on a national and global stage, as a competitor and administrator, including three times Australian Open Women’s Tricks Champion.

Karina Newmarch (nee Wieland) (OGC 1992)

Karina attended the College 1989-1992. She was an avid sportsperson and was part of the successful 1st VIII crews winning the Head of the River and National School Girls Championship in 1992. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2014, acknowledging her achievements in sport including rowing for Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Michelle Quigley QC (OGC 1973)

Michelle attended the College 1975-1976. She was one of the first female School Prefects in 1976. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2014 for her work as a barrister and community fundraiser. Her legal practice specialises in planning, environment, heritage and local government. She was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2017.

Lyndsay Sharp (nee McKendrick) (OGC 1979)

Lyndsay attended the College 1976-1979. She was a School Prefect and was involved in many sports, serving on the swimming and girls 1st XI hockey teams. She was inducted into the Notables Gallery in 2022 for her role in local tourism and advocacy. With her own businesses and more broadly, Lyndsay has been integral to promoting the Bellarine and Geelong region.

We invite all members of The Geelong College community to nominate candidates for consideration online at: www.bit.ly/ Notables2024

We invite all members of The Geelong College community to nominate candidates for consideration online at: www.bit.ly/ Notables2024