If you are a NSW resident you can nominate a member of the public for the NSW Woman of the Year Award, which is run by the NSW Office for Women and announced at a Premier’s Reception on International Women’s Day, March 8. Any member of the public in New South Wales can nominate a members of the award. Click here to see a list of women nominated in 2010… and click here to nominate someone you know for the Award which will be presented at the Premier’s Reception on International Women’s Day in 2011. The finalists in the 2010 Awards were amazing, including:
- Sister Alison Bush – the first Aboriginal midwife at a major maternity hospital in NSW, who has dedicated over 40 years of her life to improving the outcomes for Aboriginal mothers and babies.
- Wendy Fogarty – a business leader and mentor from the Illawarra Region who played a key role in the Illawarra Leaders’ Initiative, which has given a voice to women within the community.
- Councillor Colleen Fuller – a local councilor on Gunnedah Shire Council, Colleen has delivered major achievements for individual women and the women of the Gunnedah Community.
- Millie Ingram – a highly respected Elder who has been very active in the Redfern Waterloo area for many years. Millie was a foundation member of Murawina Aboriginal Pre-school and Wyanga Aboriginal Elders program and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
- Susan Lee – a businesswoman who helped establish and now manages one of the largest cleaning and facilities management companies in Australia Jae My Holdings. Susan has created a family-friendly work environment which provides flexible working hours and incentives to train and keep its workers.
- Glenda MacPhail – Glenda has been instrumental in the successful establishment of the Lower Clarence Aboriginal Women’s Resource Centre which provides services to women and children to promote child development and prevent and reduce domestic violence.
- Johanne Provins – an active volunteer parent at Merrylands East Public School over the past 12 years, who regularly assists girls who are experiencing difficulties in learning at school. Through her ongoing involvement in the school, Johanne has increased parent participation and played a pivotal role in the improvement of academic achievement of all students.
- Professor Janice Reid AM – Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Western Sydney (UWS). Under her leadership the University has achieved a nationally recognised track record of promoting and mentoring women. UWS has been awarded the Employer of Choice for Women’ title for the past six years.
- Pastor Julie Virtue – using her considerable people skills, understanding of rural and Aboriginal communities and enormous reserves of compassion, Julie has advanced the cause of women, girls and the disadvantaged throughout the Dubbo area.
- Christine Weston – developer of the Rentafarmhouse concept, which has attracted new families to the rural village of Cumnock. Her efforts have attracted new families to the town, increased the population by 15%, increased school and preschool staff, and saved a school bus run. Christine is now working with 19 communities wanting to emulate the scheme.
Christine Weston was announced the 2010 NSW Woman of the Year… will your nominee become the 2011 Award Winner?
I really encourage all of you to use the very simple one-page form to nominate a woman you know. Of if you have an idea for a woman we should nominate on your behalf, simply post your suggestion here on the SheEO blog.