2025 INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIES

Dr Erickson is one of Western Australia’s most vital and prolific artists and art historians. As an artist-jeweller, author, critic and curator with an international reputation, she developed a multifaceted career with associated practices in interior & garden design and heritage.

She has been installed in the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame and recently announced as a State Cultural Treasure. One who gives her time freely to mentor others, Dorothy has made a tremendous contribution to documenting and promoting Western Australian art, craft and design history, plus Australian jewellery.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Lesley is an Anaiwan woman from Uralla NSW. Living in WA for 30 years, she has dedicated her life to nurturing cultural pride, and emotional well-being through artistic expression.

As a Program Coordinator for the groundbreaking initiative Best Start Armadale, she helped prepare Aboriginal children (and families) for school, while honouring cultural heritage. This resulted in children graduating high school, and mothers securing employment.

Lesley lectures in Aboriginal Visual Art, History, and Musical Theatre, encouraging students to embrace and better understand their Indigenous Culture.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Kim is a Noongar woman who exemplifies proactive and purposeful leadership, providing a visible role model for all women.

Through her work as a lawyer, advocate, and leader in Indigenous affairs she creates a lasting impact across many areas to promote greater inclusivity, equality, and empowerment for Indigenous women, inspiring broader social and cultural change through education, and youth empowerment.

A Patron of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, Kim was appointed a Magistrate of the Children’s Court in Western Australia in 2024.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Julie realised the potential for home-based chemotherapy in 1994 when her Dad died of emphysema. Working as a Cancer Services Pharmacist, she was determined to find a solution and in 2000 established a home chemotherapy service in the public sector.

In 2013, she co-founded the business, chemo@home, Australia’s leading provider of home-based cancer services. Julie’s 12 years of experience leading and managing this innovative company has seen the organisation receive multiple awards and is a testament to her business expertise.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Dr. McGlade was the first Aboriginal woman to complete a law degree in a Western Australia Law School. Admitted as a Solicitor and Barrister in 1996, she has dedicated her career to advocating for Aboriginal people and has led the establishment of several Aboriginal organisations for women and children, stolen generations, and the wider community.

Dr. McGlade’s unwavering commitment to justice, her academic achievements, and her leadership in community-based initiatives, have had a lasting impact on the legal and social landscapes of this State.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Alison is a proud Noongar woman from Boorloo (Perth). She has worked for over 25 years’ with families experiencing Domestic Family and Sexual Violence and has personal experience of intimate partner violence and homicide. After her sister’s murder in 2019, she decided enough is enough and made a personal commitment to become a more vocal advocate demanding real change from community and government.

In 2024, Alison was appointed the inaugural co-chair of the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Lived Experience Advisory Council.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Maria is a Somali-English Australian, mother and a proud grandmother with over 40+ years advocating for gender equity, diversity, anti-racism and inter-cultural communication as a senior government policy adviser, community, and human rights activist.

A former executive director of WA’s Office of Multicultural Interests and Office for Women’s Policy, Ms. Osman led the development and implementation of cutting-edge policies and programs, advocating for migrant and refugee women. One of Maria greatest legacies is the development of WA’s inaugural Women Report Card in 2004, a first in Australia.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Glenys is a Nyungar yorga from the southwest who is renowned for her contributions to Aboriginal education, language preservation, and cultural advocacy.

She has played a significant role in the “ABC of Two-Way Literacy and Learning” project, collaborating with Patricia Konigsberg since 1996. This program aims to bridge the gap between Aboriginal English and Standard Australian English.

As an Honorary Research Fellow and a member of Language Lab at UWA, Glenys collaborates with academics to research and promote Aboriginal English.

Photographer Vero Photography Perth

Throughout her career, Professor Lord has been a trailblazer advocating for gender equity in leadership roles.

Unrelenting in her quest to ensure leaders provide “space” for women to take their place alongside men, in all sectors. Through her efforts, there has been a significant shift in the way women are supported and afforded opportunities to develop their career paths, particularly in STEM.

Professor Lord is committed to the transformational power of education and the need for it to be accessible.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Changing lives through community education has been the cornerstone of Marie-Anne’s career as a dynamic public storyteller and dedicated board member.

From driving awareness of critical health conditions to spearheading communication at the Department of Education WA she believes education has the power to inspire and transform people of all ages. For this founding director of Breast Cancer Care WA, former General Manager of Telethon and WA Advisory board member for the National Heart Foundation, it is all about strengthening the community through giving.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

With three university degrees, Lorna has been a Registered Nurse in WA for over 40 years. She has spent her life innovating health care and improving patient outcomes.

Amongst many other firsts, Lorna and her business partner co-founded chemo@home, a company that ultimately changed the model of care for patients receiving cancer treatment by allowing chemotherapy treatment to be given in the patient’s own home.

This national award-winning company now employs over one hundred people and has won many awards for innovation, business advancement, and community benefit.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Awarded a prestigious European Marie Curie Research Fellowship, German born Professor Lucas undertook a postdoctoral position at the University of Oxford, establishing her research career before training as a Clinical Immunologist and Immunopathologist in Australia.

She is now a Clinician-Scientist working across two tertiary hospitals, Pathwest and The University of Western Australia. Through her combined clinical and research expertise in drug allergy, transplantation immunology, anti-viral immunity and examining the impact of plastics on human health, she leads clinical work, research, guideline development and advocacy.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Sally is a remarkably accomplished athlete, and Paralympian, who portrays personal resilience, and positive influence.

Diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer, in 1999 at the age of 21, Sally became an amputee. The Sydney 2000 Paralympics inspired her to start her sport journey. She has now represented Australia at World Championships, the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and is ranked 3rd in the world for PTS4 women in Para Triathlon.

A teacher, mother, role model, and mentor, she inspires the next generation of athletes.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Professor Coffin is an Aboriginal mirtawa (woman), with traditional ties to her grandparents’ Nyangumarta country in the Pilbara region.

As a former elite water polo player who was the first Aboriginal player to represent Australia nationally and a recognised Aboriginal researcher she leads Yawardani Jan-ga, an innovative research project and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) program based in the Kimberley. This program allows Aboriginal young people and horses to develop relationships, enhancing social and emotional wellbeing, healing trauma, and building leadership skills.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Born in India, Dr. Sharma has been a highly regarded leader at UWA for 22 years. She is the founding General Manager of ICRAR, a globally recognised WA State Government funded joint venture of Curtin University and UWA.

In this role, she has impacted WA’s economy, driving a culture of excellence in scientific research, and advancing STEM promotion. Her leadership has supported the ICRAR team and attracted investments, created jobs, and enhanced WA’s capacity for innovation, helping secure its reputation as a world-class centre for astronomy.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Born in Pakistan Jawaria has a rich portfolio of contributions driving positive change.

Her work as a founder of Tech Aware, and as a committee member of multiple organizations is shaping the future of STEM in WA as well as wellbeing of diverse communities. Jawaria has a strong focus on achieving measurable outcomes. Her qualifications and experience give her a unique understanding of challenges faced by diverse communities. She aims to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and community needs, helping people achieve their potential.

Photographer Karen Wheatland

Valma joined the WA Police Force in 1960, when only 12 women served. It took her 10 years to obtain the rank of Sergeant then 15 more years to become the first female officer to be promoted to the rank Chief Superintendent (1989). She is also the first female officer to receive an Australian Police Medal.

Photograph: Western Australian Police Force

Christina became Western Australia’s first woman sworn valuator, and Commissioner for Declarations. She was the first President of the Silver Chain Nursing League, and President of the National Travellers’ Aid Society of Australia which was founded in 1916 to support women and girls arriving in Australia from overseas, interstate, and rural areas.

Photograph: Courtesy the Sewell Family Collection

Born in Kellerberrin, Barbara grew up with an interest in insects. She became the first woman to earn a PhD in UWA’s Zoology Department, later becoming a world-renowned expert in the genus Mygalomorph (trapdoor spiders), and other arachnids. Professor Main was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her extensive work in Zoology.

Photograph: 1980’s North Bungulla Photographer: Ron York

JO (Eewaambood) was a senior Elder of the Worrorra tribe, who fought hard for native title rights, as a strong leader for the Dambimangari Native Title group. She was a speaker of three Aboriginal languages (Woddordda and Wunambal and Ngarinyin ), who spent her life teaching about country and culture.

Photograph: Courtesy the Oobagooma Family Collection