130 Trailblazers

Blue banner featuring St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls and the word Trailblazers with a white crest showing '130' and the years 1896–2026.

Since its founding in 1896, St Hilda’s has built a proud legacy of academic excellence and leadership

For 130 years, St Hilda’s has been shaping generations of young women who go on to make meaningful contributions in their fields and communities.

At St Hilda’s, leadership is intentionally cultivated in every girl, every year, through a holistic approach that spans curriculum, cocurricular opportunities, service learning and wellbeing. Grounded in a deep understanding of identity, voice and agency, students are empowered to lead with confidence and compassion, continuing a tradition of excellence that has defined the School for more than a century.

Today, this legacy is reflected in the 130 St Hilda’s trailblazers who have emerged from the School; women distinguished not only by their achievements, but by their character, courage and purpose.

View our 130 Trailblazers Book

Discover the inspiring stories of our remarkable 130 Trailblazers

Close-up portrait of a smiling elderly woman with short white hair, wearing pearl earrings against a dark background.

Diana Warnock OAM (1957)

Journalist, Broadcaster, Author and State Politician

Diana Warnock (Robinson) is a former journalist, broadcaster, author and state parliamentarian whose advocacy for women’s rights and social justice helped shape major reforms in Western Australia, including the decriminalisation of abortion in 1998.
Close-up portrait of an older woman with short, light blonde hair and small gold earrings, wearing a cream sweater and neutral expression.

Elizabeth Edmondson PLY (1967)

Australian Hall of Fame Paralympian

Elizabeth Edmondson is a celebrated Paralympic swimmer who won medals at age 14 and has been widely recognised for her sporting achievements and disability advocacy, culminating in her induction into the Australian Paralympian Hall of Fame in 2024.
Portrait of an older woman with short white curly hair, smiling, wearing a colorful beaded necklace and amber earrings in a softly lit setting.

Professor Fiona Stanley AC (1963)

Epidemiologist and Australian of the Year

Fiona Stanley is a renowned epidemiologist and child health advocate whose pioneering research, including work on folate in pregnancy, transformed maternal and child health in Australia and earned her national recognition, including having Fiona Stanley Hospital named in her honour.
Portrait of a smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a blue blazer and pink arc earrings, facing the camera against a gray backdrop.

格蕾丝-福雷斯特（2010）

Human Rights Activist

Grace Forrest is a human rights advocate and founder of Walk Free whose leadership helped drive Australia’s Modern Slavery Act and earned her recognition as the United Nations Association of Australia’s youngest Goodwill Ambassador for Anti-Slavery and WA Young Australian of the Year in 2021.
Smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a red blouse and gold dangle earrings, in a bright room with shelves in the background.

Jo Horgan AM (1985)

Founder of MECCA and Melburnian of the Year

Jo Horgan is the founder and CEO of MECCA, who transformed a single beauty store into one of Australia’s most successful independent retailers, earning recognition for her leadership, innovation and contribution to the retail industry, including being named Melburnian of the Year in 2025.

Smiling person wearing a gray polo with orange stripes, standing in front of Aboriginal art background and a badge on the chest.

Katarina Bara (1999)

Arnhem Aboriginal Council Chairperson

Katarina Bara is an Anindilyakwa leader and advocate for Aboriginal economic and social development who has championed Indigenous business, education and community empowerment through her leadership as Chair of the Arnhem Aboriginal Business Council and her work supporting opportunities for Aboriginal people.
Woman carrying a child on her back, posing in front of a brick wall.

Major Kathleen Prendergast (1927)

Scientist, Doctor and First Female Major in the British Army

Kathleen Prendergast was a pioneering scientist, doctor and military officer who became the first woman to attain the rank of Major in the British Army, forging an exceptional career across palaeontology, medicine and military service that broke barriers for women.
Portrait of an elderly woman with short gray hair wearing a black polka-dot blouse, seated at a desk with books and papers in the background.

Margaret Pitt Morison (1916)

First Female Architect in WA

Margaret Pitt Morison was Western Australia’s first woman architect and a pioneering force in Australian architecture whose influential career, notable building designs and lasting professional legacy helped pave the way for future generations of architects.
Portrait of a middle-aged woman with short dark hair and rectangular glasses, wearing a beaded necklace.

Professor Margaret Seares (1965)

Chair of PIAF, Chair of Australia Council, and more

Margaret Seares (Edwards) is a distinguished academic and arts leader whose influential career in music, higher education and cultural policy has helped shape Australia’s arts sector through senior leadership roles at The University of Western Australia, government and major cultural organisations.
Smiling woman with glasses and a red scarf in front of shelves filled with colorful pottery.

Pippin Drysdale (1961)

Internationally Recognised Ceramic Artist

Pippin Drysdale is one of Australia’s most acclaimed ceramic artists, whose internationally recognised work inspired by the Australian landscape has earned her status as a State Living Treasure, a Master of Australian Craft, and a leading figure in contemporary Australian art.

Our 130 Trailblazers

Meet all 130 St Hilda’s Trailblazers and the incredible impact they made and continue to make today.