2026 Victorian Honour Roll of Women announced with first History Heroine inducted
Twenty-seven women and gender-diverse people have been recognised in the 25th anniversary year of the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, with Sister Margaret Ann Noone AM becoming the first inductee in a new History Heroine category.
The 2026 Victorian Honour Roll of Women was announced at a ceremony at Arts Centre Melbourne on 23 September.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Women and Gender Equality Gabrielle Williams MP inducted 27 women and gender-diverse people into the Honour Roll, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year. A new category, History Heroine, was also introduced in 2026 to recognise women who have died but whose work has continued to have an impact in Victoria.
Sister Margaret Ann Noone named first History Heroine
Sister Margaret Ann Noone AM became the first inductee in the new History Heroine category.mSister Margaret spent more than 40 years supporting sick children and their families. In 1985, she co-founded Very Special Kids, an organisation established to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Very Special Kids House became Australia’s first children’s hospice.
The Victorian Government said thousands of families have received support through Very Special Kids, including assistance from a child’s diagnosis through bereavement and beyond.Sister Margaret also worked as a teacher and junior school principal. She travelled overseas to develop her knowledge of paediatric palliative care and was a member of the first Palliative Care Association of Australia committee and the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement. According to the Victorian Government, children’s hospices across Australia benefited from her skills, knowledge and advocacy. Sister Margaret died in 2025 at the age of 91.
Inductees recognised across different fields
The 2026 inductees come from a range of professional and community backgrounds, including law, medicine, science, education, community service, music and culture. The Victorian Government said the inductees included people recognised for long-term contributions to their local communities and others who had advocated for justice and social change. Gabrielle Williams said the inductees had contributed to their communities and fields and continued to inspire future generations.
“These inductees have paved the way for others, strengthened their communities, become leaders in their fields and continue to inspire the next generation,” she said.
2026 Victorian Honour Roll of Women inductees
Trailblazer
- Lauren Aphrodite Cassimatis
- Elizabeth Chong AM
- Professor Katharine Drummond AM
- Moira Rayner CM
Change Agent
- Associate Professor Brianna Chesser
- Lily Clifford
- Jan Daniher
- Mish Kumar-Jonson
- Dr Tracy Leong
- Michel Margalit
- Dr Marietta Martinovic OAM
- Nicole Meyer
- Dassi Erlich and Elly Lichter
- Jackie Murphy
- Dr Emma O’Brien OAM
- Aunty Lorraine Parsons
- Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis AM
- Professor Jane Visvader
- Professor Clare Wright OAM
- Dr Melika Yassin Sheikh-Eldin
Local Champion
- Margo Hartley OAM
- Bronwen Haywood CM
- Awatif Taha
- Kathryn Williams
Emerging Leader
- Dr Naba Masad Alfayadh
History Heroine
- Sister Margaret Ann Noone AM
According to the Victorian Government, 819 women have been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women since its establishment in 2001.
The Honour Roll recognises the contributions and achievements of women across Victoria and includes the categories Trailblazer, Change Agent, Local Champion, Emerging Leader and, from 2026, History Heroine.
Source: Victorian Government, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing; Office of the Premier of Victoria.
