Prue Leggoe OAM (Turner ’63)
Prue has been President of Suited to Success Inc (Brisbane) and Groomed to Go Inc (as Dress for Success Mornington Peninsula), since March 2008.
In 2007, Prue founded and became President of Suited to Success Inc in Brisbane, which operated under the name Fitted for Work and then Dress for Success Brisbane. The service assists struggling unemployed women to be better prepared for work by being coached and groomed for the world of work. Starting from “scratch”, Prue managed the recruiting of volunteers, development of a strategy and business plan, and systems for the organisation,
and the raising of support and funding for the organisation, which has continued to thrive and assist hundreds of women each year into employment.
Prue became President of Groomed to Go Inc, which operates Dress for Success in Mornington Peninsula when she moved residence to Melbourne (2012). In that time, Prue has led this not-for-profit organisation through a difficult “restructuring”. This ensured that it continued its services, built new support networks, moved to more desirable premises, and developed a sound financial base.
The organisation has developed a “Career Centre” for its unemployed clients who need additional skill and personal development tools to help them be more work ready. Workshops for these women are proving to be extremely valuable.
They have also commenced a post-employment mentoring, support and Career Development program through funding from Dress for Success Worldwide.
Each year the organisation assists nearly 400 women to move to a more positive future.
After graduating from Melbourne University with her Law Degree, Prue worked as a solicitor, eventually establishing her own law firm, Prue Sibree & Co.
In 1981, Prue won a by-election caused by the retirement of Sir Rupert Hamer in the district of Kew. During her time in Parliament, Prue served as Secretary to Shadow Cabinet, opposition spokesperson for Early Childhood Development, Youth and Women’s Affairs and opposition spokesperson for Further Education Training and Employment.
Prue was awarded an Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) in 2019 for her service to women through job-readiness initiatives.
Past Strathcona Medal Recipients
2020 Amanda Whitford (‘87) Barrister and Solicitor, Criminal law
2019 Catherine Beaufort OAM (’90) Medicine/International Relations
2018 Dr Kate Rickersey (nee Dalrymple) (’96) Land Management
2017 Emeritus Prof. Ruth Grant AM (’57) Clinical Health Sciences
2016 Prof. Robyn Sloggett (’72) Cultural Heritage: Conservation & Heritage
2015 Joanne Knight (’96) Law: Advocacy for alleviating poverty
2014 Prof. Kerry Landman (’70) Mathematics: Research (Modelling)
2013 Nicole Hahn (’96) Engineering: Relief Work, Syria
2012 Natalie Smith (’86) Occupational Therapy/Service
2011 Dr Barbara Martin (’51) Medicine/Service: Obstetrics/Gynaecology
2010 Associate Prof. Ainsley Newson (’93) Bioethics Medical and Clinical Ethics
2009 Dr Heather Cleland (’73) Medicine: Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery
2008 Penelope Foley (’84) Service: Justice & Reconciliation, South Africa
2007 Prof. Winifred G Nayler (nee Millott ’47) Medicine Research: Cardiovascular Drugs
2006 Jenika Graze (’81) Service to Palliative Care Nursing, Nepal
2005 Val Johnston (nee Hutchison ’47) Education/Humanitarian
2004 Margaret Waterhouse (nee Macknight ’57) OAM Reconciliation
