Cally Hannah (1996)

Cally Hannah attended Penrhos for her high school years, and interestingly, she was both a day student and a boarder. Despite being incredibly shy at the time, she cherished subjects like Accounting and Mathematics.

During her time at Penrhos, Cally earned eight Academic Endeavour Awards, which were given to students who demonstrated exceptional effort and dedication. While she may not have been at the very top of her class academically, she consistently achieved strong grades and approached her studies with great seriousness.

Cally (far right, standing) with her Penrhos friends, 1996

Girls from Cally’s year at Penrhos might remember her passion for horses. One of her fondest memories from her time at Penrhos is the horse-riding camp in Year 10. She considers it one of the highlights of her school years, particularly the night ride where they galloped through the darkness, surrounded by breathtaking views.

“Perhaps unashamedly, I also have fond memories of the chunions,” says Cally. 

Cally’s love for horses

Cally’s passion for horses did not fade over the years! Since Penrhos, Cally has been lucky enough to ride under the Australian Olympian great, Heath Ryan, and more recently under Alfred Fitzi, who is a Swiss international dressage and showjumping expert based in WA. 

Cally's horse, Atticus

In 2016, Cally had the unique pleasure of witnessing the birth of her horse, Questing Atticus R. Atticus is named after the lawyer Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird—a book Cally fondly remembers reading while studying English at Penrhos. He is also named in honor of His Honour Gavin Mansfield’s son, Atticus Mansfield.

In 2018, Atticus earned a remarkable accolade by being named the grand Australian champion at the AWHA national championship and classification tour. Cally proudly notes that this prestigious title underscores just how special Atticus truly is.

Cally’s professional journey

“I have to say officially becoming a lawyer in 2019 remains a career highlight for me.” 

Cally was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW, marking one of the most memorable days of her life. The moment was made even more meaningful by having the special people in her life there to witness and support her admission, making it an occasion she will cherish forever.

Barrister Richard Thomas (Cally's mover) at her admissions ceremony. He is a famous criminal barrister over east, 2019

Cally balanced a full-time job while pursuing her law degree full time, a remarkable achievement in itself. In fact, she continued working full time throughout all of her postgraduate studies as well!

Since earning her LLB (Bachelor of Laws), Cally has gone on to complete her LLM (Master of Laws). In August 2024 she graduated with a Master of Accounting, demonstrating her ongoing dedication to advancing her education and career.

Cally graduating with a Master of Accounting, August 2024

Cally is planning to commence her PhD studies in 2025, and may also consider starting her CPA qualifications. At this stage, she is particularly interested in pursuing a PhD focused on domestic violence law reform. If there are any members of the Penrhos community working in this critical field, she would greatly appreciate the opportunity to connect and collaborate.

CJH Legal

In 2023, Cally launched her own law firm in West Perth, where she works as a litigator. Simply put, Cally conducts trials for a living, and her passion for courtroom advocacy is undeniable. She’s in court almost every day and feels most fulfilled when representing her clients.

Cally has handled several high-profile cases, earning positive recognition from the press for her work and dedication.

Cally was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 'Women in Law Awards 2023'

When appearing in WA’s superior courts, such as the District and Supreme Courts, Cally gets to wear her court robes—a tradition she absolutely loves. Adding a personal touch, she had the inside of her bar jacket lined with hot pink fabric and embroidered with the words, “Cally Joyce Hannah – proud lawyer.”

Though this detail remains hidden during her court appearances, it’s a private reminder of her pride in her profession—now shared with the Penrhos community! Cally also sponsored seat A13 in the Rixon Theatre, inscribing it with the same message: “Cally J. Hannah – proud lawyer.” Her pride in being part of WA's legal industry is evident in every step she takes.

Cally on ‘Breaking Boundaries’

For Cally, Penrhos contributed to her already firm mindset as a young child that anything is possible in this life. It really is up to you what you want to achieve. There are no boundaries. If you want to achieve something, go for it. 

"I have never allowed myself to be distracted by what others might think of me, or even by what others are doing.  I have always been focused on my own goals, and the Penrhos ethos 'strive for the highest’ certainly rings true. Being a female in law, you need to be quite tough. I certainly think Penrhos taught me I have an equal voice to a man and should not be afraid to use it."

Cally and her old Penrhos friends at a high tea at Crown

Cally says to "enjoy your time at Penrhos and take the opportunities that are offered to you. If you don’t peak during your time at Penrhos, don’t worry about it. You have plenty of time to peak once you leave school. Education at Penrhos leaves you with a great foundation, and you will likely build on this during the course of your post-Penrhos life."