Sally Green (1982)
As chance would have it, I recently took a tour of Queen’s. I enjoyed it greatly, offering as it did a stroll down memory lane and all the food for thought that comes with it. While there have obviously been changes and many improvements since my student days, it was clear to me that there’s a certain sense of continuity. I was taken right back to when I was part of that vibrant College community of the 1980s. I still felt a sense of connection to Queen’s and have fond memories of all who were there at that time. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that there’s no end of memories and tales in those old walls.
Coming from the Mornington Peninsula as I did, both city and university life were completely new to me. My time at Queen’s marked the beginning of my adult life and provided a wonderful bridge to full independence. I made lifelong friends, met with all sorts of people, learned how to juggle work and play (though this can still be a challenge to this day) and overcame the shyness of my school years. This is evident when I think back to my carefree dancing to Cold Chisel at College balls. Quintessentially ‘80s.
Through the sheer hard work of those who have come before us, there have been substantial gains made for women since my time at Queen’s. We know there are now many more senior leadership opportunities for women in research and higher education, but it’s also clear intractable issues of equity and equality remain across the board. Globally, the health, wellbeing and empowerment of women and girls remain critical needs. This is an ongoing focus and priority that drives my work. More broadly, we are yet to realise the many benefits that diverse and inclusive leadership delivers. I really want to see greater diversity not only in terms of gender, including people who identify as gender diverse, but also cultural and social diversity.
It would be wonderful if 50 years from now our leadership, workforce and student body fully reflected our diverse society – and that equality for all was so well entrenched, that the Queen’s cohort of 2073 could not imagine it being any other way.
I’m the proud mum of a 17-year-old. I’m also a travel enthusiast and avid sports fan (go Saints). My professional life is busy and rewarding. As Deputy Head of the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, I provide research leadership, strategic advice and support for the next generation of researchers.
For the past two decades I’ve also been privileged to work closely with fellow researchers and clinicians from all round the globe as part of an international health research organisation called Cochrane. Together we produce trusted evidence that underpins better health outcomes, stronger health systems, and informed decision making by health workers, patients and policy makers around the world. As a Cochrane Board member, I very much enjoy travelling widely and meeting up with a wonderful community of friends and colleagues who share a practical commitment to changing the health of the world for the better.