Each year, prizes are awarded to residents of The Women’s College based on their university results and the criteria of the particular prize at the Academic Dinner & Alumnae Awards.
Academic Excellence Prizes
About Academic Excellence Prizes
Academic Excellence Prizes are awarded to residents of The Women’s College based on their cumulative university achievements for the previous year, aligning with the specific criteria set for each prize.
Many of these prizes have a rich history, some dating back to generous benefactors – like the Ethel Raybould Prize established in 1987 – or through the enduring support of College alumnae and the former Chislehurst Society.
Barbara Page-HanifyBarbara PBarbara Page-Hanify Prize
Awarded to a resident studying physiotherapy or occupational therapy who has achieved outstanding academic results. This award was established in 2020 and is named after Barbara Page-Hanify OAM (alumna 1951 – 1953). Barbara was the first woman in Australia to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy) at The University of Queensland, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to people with intellectual disability in 2024.
2021 – Isabella Morosini
2022 – Alyssa Baker
2023 – Tara Bretherton
2024 – Holly Baker
Chislehurst Prize
Awarded to a senior resident for outstanding academic results who is studying at UQ. Named after the Chislehurst Society, which was established in 1999 from an amalgamation of the former Standing Committee and the Old Collegians Association.
2019 – Olivia Marsden
2020 – Chloe Pearce
2021 – Portsea Turton
2022 – Aryana Krpan
2023 – Matilda Taylor
2024 – Olivia Taylor
Ethel Raybould Prize
Awarded to a First Year resident for outstanding academic results who is studying at UQ. Named after Ethel Harriet Raybould (friend of the College).
2019 – Julia Hill
2020 – Maddy Kennedy
2021 – Monica Stephan
2022 – Emily Poon
2023 – Annaleese Kastrissios-Stewart
2024 – Allegra Daveson
Hazel Francis Prize
Awarded to a resident who is undertaking a degree in music and has achieved outstanding academic results in music. Named after Hazel Francis (alumna 1964 – 1967; Vice Principal 1969 – 1971).
2019 – Nadia Barrow
2020 – Catherine Custance
2021 – Lara Miller
2022 – Louella Trotz
2023 – Sally Wong
2024 – Madison McLeod
Henderson Foundation Prize
Awarded to a senior country resident for outstanding academic results who is studying at UQ. Named after Sir Neville Henderson CBE (friend of the College).
2019 – Chloe Pearce
2020 – Hannah Cook
2021 – Eliza White
2022 – Zara Pidgeon
2023 – Natasha Grundy
2024 – Kate McIntosh
IMB Science Excellence Award
Awarded to a resident who achieved outstanding academic results in a science-related degree. Named after the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland.
2022 – Grace Risby-Jones
2023 – Grete Gawthorn
2024 – Prisha Gupte, Ella Hockam & Grete Gawthorn
Joan Robinson Prize
Awarded to a resident deemed to be most meritorious on the basis of her academic record and her contribution to College affairs. Named after Joan Robinson (friend of the College).
2019 – Madeline Dooley
2020 – Courtney Box
2021 – Anne Johnson
2022 – Lucy Zarew
2023 – Ellen Moroney
2024 – Madylynn Robert
Lisbeth Hopkins Prize
Awarded to a resident who achieved outstanding academic results in English, Arts or Creative Arts. Named after Lisbeth Hopkins OAM (alumna 1939 – 1941).
2019 – Kate Land
2020 – Eliza White
2021 – Kate Utting
2022 – Lauren Ward
2023 – Jemima Robertson
2024 – Not awarded
Margaret Piddington Prize
Awarded to a Third Year Arts student with the most meritorious results in her second year examinations. Named after Margaret Piddington (Principal 1947 – 1958).
2019 – Allanah Cathey
2020 – Georgie Snare
2021 – Meg Munro
2022 – Chloe Shoyer
2023 – Kathleen Humphreys
2024 – Charlotte Sutton
May McLean Hancock Prize
Awarded for outstanding academic achievement in Commerce, Economics or Business-related studies. Named after May McLean Hancock OBE (friend of the College).
2019 – Georgia Hayward
2020 – Risa Utama
2021 – Amber Sinclair
2022 – Erin Gilmore
2023 – Grace Finlay
2024 – Maya Remedios
Molly Budtz-Olsen Prize
Awarded to a First Year resident who has achieved outstanding academic results in a Humanities and Social Science degree. Named after Molly Budtz-Olsen (Principal 1963 – 1974).
2019 – Risa Utama
2020 – Ricqui Bradley
2021 – Lauren Ward
2022 – Aysha Swanson
2023 – Kate Moulds
2024 – Mackenzie Shepley
Principal’s Prize
Awarded to a resident who has shown outstanding academic achievement, based on achieved grade point average in the official University examinations for the academic year. This prize is provided by the College following an earlier initiative of the former Chislehurst Society.
2019 – Emelie Rogers & Sophie Evans
2020 – Nadia Barrow
2021 – Madeline Kennedy
2022 – Lucy Stefanovic
2023 – Eleanor Swan
2024 – Tara Lavery
QUT Academic Prize
Awarded to a resident for outstanding academic results who is studying at QUT. Named after the Queensland University of Technology.
2023 – Adelina Nelson
2024 – Caitlin Brittain
Suellen Topfer Prize
Awarded to a resident who achieved outstanding academic results in a Bachelor of Communications (majoring in journalism or related field). Named after Suellen Topfer (alumna 1984 – 1986).
2022 – Mikaela Mulveney
2023 – Olivia Smith
2024 – Laura Charles
The Women’s College Standing Committee Prize
Awarded to a Second Year resident for outstanding academic results in science who is studying at UQ.
2019 – Ella Sinclair
2020 – Ella Sinclair
2021 – Jaime Bretherton
2022 – Christine Fairweather
2023 – Chelsea Moor
2024 – Stephanie Jersmann
Wilhelmina Gladstone Jameson Scholarship Prize
Awarded to a Second Year resident who will continue as a resident in her Third Year for outstanding academic results and who is studying at UQ within the same course. Named after Wilhelmina Gladstone Jameson (friend of the College).
2019 – Jessica Rogers
2020 – Risa Utama
2021 – Noor Kahloon
2022 – Monica Stephan
2023 – Sophia Ross
2024 – Maia Griffin
Leadership, Sports and Community Prizes
About Leadership, Sports and Community Prizes
With the exception of the Vera Jones Prize, each of the Leadership, Sports and Community Prizes require self-nomination by residents. These prizes are awarded based on the specific criteria set for each prize.
Anna Bligh Leadership Prize
Awarded to a resident who has significantly enhanced their profile and standing within the College community, demonstrating exceptional community service and/or sustained leadership contributions. This prize is an initiative of alumna Anna Bligh (1978), who completed a Bachelor of Arts at UQ in 1981 before being elected to Queensland Parliament in 1995. In 2005, Anna was promoted to Deputy Premier of Queensland, before becoming State Premier – and Queensland’s first female Premier – in 2007.
2025 – To be announced
Brisbane Women’s Club Young Achiever Prize
Awarded to a resident who has displayed exceptional qualities and has achieved notable success, making a positive impact on their community or society at large. Established by 2023 Inspirational Alumna Award winner Jacqueline Schultz, who is a Non-Executive Director of the Brisbane Women’s Club.
2024 – Claire Thompson
Jeff Sipek Service Prize
Awarded to a resident in recognition of their service to the community and to The Women’s College. Named after Jeff Sipek, who retired in 2023 after 34 years of service to The Women’s College as Director of Operations.
2024 – Sarah-Jane Kiernan
Sallyanne Atkinson Leadership Prize
Awarded to a resident who has raised her profile and standing within the College community, demonstrating outstanding community service and/or continuous and significant contributions in a leadership role. Named after Dr Sallyanne Atkinson AO (alumna 1960; College Council President 2009 – 2020), who was Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1985 to 1991.
2022 – Lilli Anderson
2023 – Phoebe Lingard
2024 – Zimena Furey & Isabel Nolke
The Women’s College Sports Prize
Awarded to a resident who has made a positive difference to the culture of the College through her high engagement of participation in or support of the ICC Sporting Program during the previous academic year. Established by Anna McDougall (alumna 2011 – 2013).
2023 – Hayley Wright
2024 – Hayley Wright
Vera Jones Prize
Awarded to a First Year resident for her significant contribution to College. This prize is determined by the Student Club and is named after Vera Jones (alumna 1914 – 1916).
2019 – Jessica Gunning
2020 – Lucy Bowden
2021 – Erin Gilmore
2022 – Phoebe Lingard
2023 – Laura Charles
2024 – Rebecca Lander
Vonhoff Benson Toowoomba Region Prize
Awarded to a resident who has made a significant impact through their leadership, and who supports and uplifts others, fostering a positive environment or contributing to the success of College projects. The recipient will be a resident whose place of permanent residence is in the Toowoomba region. This prize is an initiative of alumna Rebecca Vonhoff (2001 – 2002) and her husband Garrett Benson. Rebecca was elected to the Toowoomba Regional Council in 2020, and became Deputy Mayor of Toowoomba in 2023.
2025 – To be announced
Walter Taylor Ward Community Leadership Prize
Awarded to a resident who has demonstrated exemplary community service. This includes sustained commitment, significant positive impact on the community, and leadership in organising or participating in community service activities. The recipient exemplifies the values of compassion, dedication, and initiative in addressing community needs. This prize is an initiative of Councillor Penny Wolff (friend of the College), who has been the elected representative of the Walter Taylor Ward since October 2023. The ward includes several Brisbane suburbs, including St Lucia and the site of the College.
2025 – To be announced