Ginger Ridgeway (2006) was awarded the 2023 Emily Hensley Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution and commitment towards advancing social justice, law reform and self-determination for First Nations Peoples in Australia, and in her demonstration of the MGGS values. 

For the past twelve years Ginger has worked in policy, strategy, research and advocacy. She honed her knowledge of international treaty instruments at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in Geneva, Switzerland. There, Ginger undertook legal research, analysis and stakeholder engagement for the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) during respective sessions to determine member countries’ adherence to and violation of international human rights.

Read more about ginger

Dr Francesca Valmorbida McSteen (2005) has demonstrated tremendous leadership during her many years of education and training. She has been a co-ordinator, educator, convenor, mentor, adviser, representative and is continuously seeking ways to contribute and make change for the better. Through this award, we want to recognise the significant contributions that Francesca has made to the community, to her profession and those around her.

According to her friend Athena Kellis (Scotis, 1965), Francesca was an outstanding student at MGGS, serving as Debating Captain, the Amnesty International Convenor and receiving prizes for excellence in French, English, Literature, Ethical Studies and the ‘Swannie Award’ for Debating at the Debaters Association Victoria in Year 12.

Read more about francesca

Since her first experience directing theatre during her time at MGGS, Sarah has committed herself entirely and passionately to the pursuit of being a director.

She studied at The University of Melbourne, completing a Bachelor of Arts whilst continuing to pursue her dream of making theatre. She performed in plays at Union House Theatre, directed shows at Ormond College and La Mama Theatre in Carlton, assisted on professional productions at Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In 2007, she successfully auditioned for NIDA, where she was one of six directing students accepted to study in 2008. Her graduating production of The Bald Soprano by Ionesco was such a huge success that it landed her a placement at the Griffin Theatre in Sydney where she was their Affiliate Director in Residence.

Read more about sarah

Dr Melissa Yang (Class of 2000) has dedicated her study, career and life to putting others before herself. Through this award, we want to recognise significant contributions Melissa has made to the community, to her profession and those around her.  

According to her friend Heidi Holmes (Peat, 2000), Melissa is the ultimate silent warrior, doing the quiet work behind the scenes, the work that goes unrewarded, unrecognised but is ultimately the most important being done. Heidi says her friend has never sought attention, gratitude or extra reward for the voluntary work and caring she’s done over the years. She believes Melissa’s work and life really reflect the MGGS School values.

During her studies in Medicine, Melissa met her future husband, Dr Ian Davis. Not long after they got engaged, Ian was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). In the years to come, Melissa and Ian worked together to establish what would eventually become a household name in Fight MND.  

Read more about melissa

As an Australian agroecology scientist and farmer, Dr Anika Molesworth is a thought-leader of food systems resilience and a researcher in international agriculture development.

Growing up on her family’s sheep farm in NSW, Anika’s passion for agricultural resilience was prompted by a decade-long drought and witnessing the challenges this brought to the Australian farming community. From this point, Anika began a career in seeking how to build resilience in fragile farming systems and has worked hard at promoting and advocating for sustainable agriculture and vibrant rural communities.

In 2014, Anika established Climate Wise Agriculture, which is a platform that shares knowledge on the topic of climate change as it relates to agriculture. She is a Founding Director of Farmers for Climate Action, a farmer-led organisation that advocates for climate solutions which support rural communities and was appointed Deputy Chair of the organisation this year.

Read more about anika