Sisterhood Alumni Networking Series with Dr Carmen Lawrence
Santa Maria College is proud to launch the 2026 Sisterhood Alumni Networking Series with an inspiring evening featuring distinguished past student Dr Carmen Lawrence (Class of 1964).
We are honoured to welcome Dr Lawrence back to the College as our inaugural guest speaker. As one of the College’s most distinguished alumni, she has made a lasting contribution to public life, education, and social change. Most notably, in 1990, Dr Carmen Lawrence became Australia’s first female premier and treasurer of a state government. That achievement alone secured her place in the national story.
Dr Lawrence began her career as a research psychologist and academic before entering politics in 1986. Over a distinguished 21-year political career spanning both state and federal politics, she held a number of senior ministerial portfolios, including Minister for Education and Aboriginal Affairs. She later served in federal politics as the Member for Fremantle and held key ministerial positions including Minister for Health and Human Services and Minister assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women. Throughout her career, she also championed portfolios including Indigenous Affairs, Environment, Industry and Innovation, and was elected National President of the Australian Labor Party in 2004.
Following her retirement from politics in 2007, Dr Lawrence returned to academia and continued her work in research and social change. She served as Director of the Centre for the Study of Social Change at The University of Western Australia and is now Professor Emerita at UWA.
Guests can look forward to an engaging and thought-provoking evening as Dr Lawrence shares insights from her remarkable career and experiences in public life through a special Q&A session.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 10 June
Time: 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
Venue: Santa Maria College
Cost: $25 per person
Refreshments and nibbles will be provided.
Early bookings are encouraged for what promises to be an inspiring and memorable evening. Secure your ticket today.
- Alumni Events Perth, Catholic girls school community, distinguished alumni, Dr Carmen Lawrence, Santa Maria College alumni, Santa Maria College community, school networking events, Sisterhood Alumni Networking Series, Women in Leadership
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.

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