Mrs Marjorie Smart was the first Principal of St Hilda’s College in 1964, born in Winnipeg, Canada and a graduate of the University of Manitoba. Her father, Dr Charles W. Gordon, famous as a novelist under the name of Ralph Connor, was the first Moderator of the United Church of Canada. Her grandfather, John M. King, established and was the first Principal of, Manitoba College, the forerunner of the University of Manitoba.

She was one of the first women in Canada to become a Foreign Service Officer, and became Vice-Consul for the Canadian Government in New York in charge of information from 1949 to 1952. Mrs Smart was also at this time a member of the Canadian delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations.

In 1953 she married an Australian and returned with her husband to Melbourne. In Melbourne, Mrs Smart took an active part in university affairs and was Chairman of the Women’s Committee during the University Building Fund Appeal. She worked as a Welfare Officer with the Immigration Department until taking up her appointment as Principal of St Hilda’s College.

1964 - Mrs Marjorie Smart commences term as first Principal
1976 - Mr Denis McMullen commences term as second Principal
1981 - Dr Brian James commences term as third Principal
1998 - Dr Michael Shortland commences term as fourth Principal
2000 - Mrs Barbara Green commences term as fifth Principal