Women fighting for workers' rights, health advocates and a trailblazing nun are among 24 women being inducted into the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women supported by the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins announced the new inductees at a ceremony at the Arts Centre Melbourne last night.
The Honour Roll recognises outstanding Victorian women whose leadership and achievements make a lasting difference to the community. The late Hon Joan Kirner AC, Victoria's first female Premier, created the Honour Roll to formally acknowledge women for their achievements and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.
This year's inductees include the Honourable Jennifer Coate AO who was the first President of the Children's Court in Victoria, first female State Coroner of Victoria and one of only two females on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Family violence advocates are well represented including internationally recognised academic and Chair of Respect Victoria Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, whose research with victim-survivors was cited by the Australian Fair Work Commission as critical to the introduction of paid family and domestic violence leave legislation.
Workers' rights advocate Caterina Cinanni has been recognised for her work in empowering vulnerable migrant farm workers to speak out against exploitation, leading to improved visa laws for temporary migrants, the introduction of minimum hourly wages, overtime and penalties, as well as national legislation on modern slavery.
By shining a light on these women's remarkable achievements, the Labor Government is building a more gender equal Victoria.
More than 770 women have been inducted since the Victorian Honour Roll of Women began in 2001. The full list of inductees is available at vic.gov.au/victorian-honour-roll-of-women-inductees.
As stated by Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins
"The Honour Roll is proof that leadership takes many forms - from the classroom to the courtroom, from healthcare to community organising. It's hard to be what you can't see."
"Every one of these women has made Victoria a better, fairer place. They've changed lives, inspired others and strengthened our state in ways that will last for generations."
