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Norma O'Connor

Image of Norma Ford

Norma O'Connor was the first woman to win the prestigious Supreme Court prize for law students in 1949. In 1951, she was the fourth woman to sign the Victorian Bar Roll, reading with Trevor Rapke.

In her words, "from an early age I was interested in social justice, which included a very strong interest in the advancement of women and girls. I decided when I was at school that I would become a barrister... I did not practise as a solicitor but went to the Bar". She was briefed by Maurice Ashakanasy KC (among others) and "felt quite included and accepted by barristers and judges" during her time in active practice.