Ladies We Love & Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years Exhibition Opening

The College was filled with warmth and connection as we gathered for an afternoon celebrating Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years alongside our annual Ladies We Love event. Bringing together students, alumni, mothers, and significant others, the occasion honoured the women who support and shape life at John XXIII College, both within our community and beyond. At the heart of the afternoon, Ladies We Love celebrated the important role these women play in the lives of our students, while the Illustra exhibition recognised 50 years of women at the College and the lasting impact they continue to have. We welcomed more than 600 guests in what was one of the largest and most impactful day in the College’s history. Find the event photos here: https://www.johnxxiii.anu.edu.au/event-photos

Celebrating 50 Years of Women at the College

Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years marks an important milestone, celebrating 50 years of women at the College (1976–2026). Through the stories of 50 extraordinary women, the exhibition honours the depth, diversity, and impact of generations of women who have shaped our community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Illustra Women whose stories made this exhibition possible. Your courage and generosity have created something that will inspire for years to come. We also acknowledge our amazing photographer, Bronte Morel and the powerful contributions of Penny Friend and Jacinta Carroll, whose speeches captured the significance of this moment and the enduring strength of women’s stories across generations.

The Illustra Scholarship - Supporting the Next Generation

As part of this milestone, we are proud to launch the Illustra Scholarship, supporting future students and ensuring that the opportunities created over the past 50 years continue to grow. Made possible through the generosity of alumni Casey White and his family, these scholarships celebrate leadership, contribution, and community.
We are delighted to announce our first recipients: Stella Maroulis and Abby Osborne - two outstanding students who represent the future of our College community.
To help this initiative continue, we invite you to support the Illustra Scholarship Fund. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference and helps open doors for the next generation.
You can donate online or via direct deposit using the details on our website: www.johnxxiii.anu.edu.au/illustra-scholarship

Visit Illustra - In Person and Online

Following its official opening, Illustra now holds a permanent place within the College foyer, ensuring that these 50 stories remain a visible and enduring part of daily College life. It stands as both a celebration of the past 50 years and a reminder of the role women will continue to play in shaping the College’s future.

We warmly invite members of the wider community to visit and experience the exhibition firsthand. Whether you are an alum, a friend of the College, or visiting for the first time, Illustra offers a powerful and moving insight into the people and stories that define our community.

For those unable to attend in person, the digital exhibition is now live and accessible online: https://www.johnxxiii.anu.edu.au/portraits---illustra--50-women-for-50-years