Nominations for Victoria's Honour Roll for Women will close March 20, and the state government has renewed its call for nominations of women who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to Victoria.
Victorians are encouraged to nominate women from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and age groups for the five categories - History Heroine, Local Champion, Change Agent, Emerging Leader and Trailblazer.
The Honour Roll celebrates their achievements across fields such as social justice, health, science, research, arts, environment, law, media and education.
In 2025, Professor Kerry Arabena, became the first Torres Strait Islander woman to be inducted in the Honour Roll.
She told National Indigenous Times that being nominated as a Change Agent in the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2025 was "both humbling and deeply meaningful".
"For me, it represents recognition not just of individual work, but of the collective strength, knowledge and leadership of First Nations women who have always shaped change in our communities," she said.
"Throughout my career I have been committed to creating pathways where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can thrive—whether through community-controlled health systems, Indigenous-led policy reform, or supporting the next generation of leaders. Real change happens when our knowledge, culture and lived experiences are recognised as sources of expertise and leadership.
"Recognition through the Honour Roll matters because it makes visible the extraordinary contributions that First Nations women make every day. Our work often happens in families, communities and organisations where we are building stronger futures for our children, our cultures and our Country."
Professor Arabena said she hopes seeing First Nations women recognised "encourages others to step forward, share their leadership and nominate the remarkable women around them who are shaping a more just and equitable Victoria".
Last year's 24 Honour Roll inductees also included Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips, a powerful leader and advocate for women in medical research as the first woman to become a Professor of Oncology in Victoria. She has dedicated her career to advancing breast cancer research and improving women's health. Family violence awareness advocates were also well represented including internationally recognised academic and Chair of Respect Victoria Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon and advocate Lutfiye Kavci, an inspiring family violence survivor who turned her own horrific experience into creating positive change for others.
The Victorian government said that by celebrating women's achievements and recognising their contributions, it is "proud to play a vital role in increasing the representation of women by promoting them as key role models and leaders to build a more gender equal society and inspire the next generation".
More information is available and nominations can be done online.
The late Hon Joan Kirner AC, Victoria's first female Premier, created the Honour Roll to formally acknowledge women for their achievements and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.
More than 770 women have been inducted since the Honour Roll of Women began in 2001.
