WA Women's Hall of Fame 2025 inductee ECU Alumna Lorna Cook making her acceptance speech at the ceremony.
This year marks the 15th Anniversary year of the WA Women's Hall of Fame, established to celebrate the achievements of inspiring Western Australian women, cementing a resolve to continue to tell the stories of women's significant contributions to our community, fostering greater respect for women, and progressing gender equity.
The 2025 WA Women's Hall of Fame inductees were announced at a special ceremony in Government House Ballroom, in the presence of the His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM Governor of Western Australia and The Honourable Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Women’s Interests.
Sixteen 'inspiring' women were inducted to the 2025 WA Women's Hall of Fame, and a further four women acknowledged posthumously in the 'Roll of Honour.'
The Hall of Fame inductees have been selected from one of eight categories: Arts, Business, Community, Culture, Education, Health, Sport, and STEM & Technical Trades.
The ECU Alumnae 2025 WA Women's Hall of Fame Inductees are:
Dr Dorothy Erickson AM PhD - Jeweller, Historian & Writer
WA Women's Hall of Fame Chair, Fiona Reid with ECU Alumna Dr Dorothy Erickson AM PhD (centre) and the Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Women's Interests.
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.
Lesley Murray - Anaiwan Artist and Lecturer
WA Women's Hall of Fame Chair, Fiona Reid with ECU Alumna Lesley Murray (centre) and the Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Women's Interests.
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.
Alison Scott - Co-chair National DFSV Lived Experience Advisory Council
Tina Gunter, Family Access Services with ECU Alumna Alison Scott (centre) and the Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Women's Interests.
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.
Maria Osman - Advocate for Multiculturalism
Kathleen Bozanic, IGO Ltd. with ECU Alumna Maria Osman (centre) and the Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Women's Interests.
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.
Marie-Anne Keeffe - Community Educator and Storyteller
Prof. Madeleine Ogilvie with ECU Alumna Marie-Anne Keeffe (centre) and the Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Women's Interests.
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.
Lorna Cook - Registered Nurse and Co-Founder chemo@home
ECU Alumna Lorna Cook speaking at the ceremony.
With three university degrees ECU, 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.
Roll of Honour
The WA Women's Hall of Fame was bolstered by the creation of a Roll of Honour in 2012, to formally acknowledge women who are no longer with us but whose efforts were critical to the State's social and economic development.
Among the four women acknowledged posthumously in the 2025 WA Women's Hall of Fame 'Roll of Honour' was pioneering spider biologist Professor Barbara York Main OAM.
Professor Barbara York Main OAM, The Spider Lady (1929 - 2019)
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.
Professor Main, also known as The Spider Lady, was a cherished mentor of Dr Leanda Mason, ECU Vice-Chancellor Research Fellow in the Centre for People, Place, and Planet within the School of Education.
Mentored by the late Barbara, Dr Leanda Mason is a practising trapdoor spider conservation ecologist and researcher.
Read more about Dr Leanda Mason rescuing the matriarch trapdoor spiders of Porongurup in Australian Geographic.
2025 WA Women's Hall of Fame touring photographic exhibition proudly presented by Dr. Anh
In celebration of our 'inspiring' 2025 Inductees, and the 15th Anniversary, the annual portrait exhibition featuring a collection of stunning photographs taken by Karen Wheatland, with one by Vero Photography, and Goolarri Media, has moved to a new opening location in the City of Perth, thanks to One The Esplanade management team. Entry is free.
Photographic exhibition
One The Esplanade, Elizabeth Quay
7 – 21 March, (weekdays only), 7am – 6pm
Digital exhibition
Yagan Tower, Yagan Square
7 – 14 March, daily, times vary
15th Anniversary Roll of Honour Retrospective Exhibition
A collaboration with the State Library of Western Australia with support from the City of Perth. Entry is free.
Photographic exhibition
State Library of Western Australia
6 March – 6 July, daily, times vary
For further information about the exhibitions and other 15th Anniversary activities visit the WA Women's Hall of Fame.
