Our Principal’s Event Series aims to create a culture where we can openly discuss and challenge issues such as gender inequality and mental health, even when it demands us to step outside our comfort zones. 

Earlier this month our School community was privileged to hear from three remarkable individuals at our Principal’s Event Series celebrating International Women’s Day.

Prof. Jane Munro is a paediatric rheumatologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital, a Professor at the University of Melbourne, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Passionate about her chosen field, Jane is a trusted leader, chairing the Australian Paediatric Rheumatology Group and co-founding the Pandemic Kindness Movement in 2020. Her accolades and achievements are numerous, and include being appointed medical adviser in the Office of the D.C.H.O. at the Victorian Department of Health and winning a Churchill Trust Fellowship in 2024.

Anna Skarbek is CEO of Climate Works Centre, leading efforts to scale emissions reductions in Australia and Southeast Asia. She serves on multiple advisory boards, including G.F.A.N.Z and S.E.C Victoria, and was a founding director of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Anna was named among the Top 100 Green Power Players by ‘The Australian’ and is a member of Chief Executive Women and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Anna is a Grammarian, the first female dux of Caulfield Grammar and the namesake of ‘Skarbek House’ at our Wheelers Hill Campus.

Kishwar Chowdhury made history as the first South Asian female Finalist on MasterChef Australia. She then went on to train under Michelin-starred Chef Masahiko Yomodaher. Her body of work includes a residency at Tonka, Australia-India Business Mission, JW Marriott, heading both T20 Cricket and Australian Open Men’s Finals dinners, heading Victorian and WA Government state dinners, and most recently taking the helm at Crown Melbourne’s ‘Alumni’ restaurant. Kishwar works with UN World Food Program and A.S.R.C ‘Feast for Freedom’ as a goodwill ambassador.
These three women shared remarkable insights into their journeys and on what leadership means to them, the challenges that still persist for women in their fields, and mentors that have played an integral role in their pathways.

Anna Skarbek summed up the occasion beautifully with a quote from her mother: “Serendipity is luck that falls on well-prepared ground”, recognising that women in senior roles or advancing their careers are not ‘lucky’; they are deserving because of all the factors – knowledge, skills, mentors, encouragement, passion and commitment – that have led them to that moment in their career.
It was an inspiring night and we thank our guest speakers for sharing their stories and aiding our School in its aim of accelerating towards gender equity and equality.