Congratulations to the recipients of the Local Women of the Year Awards

Antoinette Abdelseed Nominated by Mrs MP (Mulgoa)

Antoinette is recognised for her dedication and advocacy work for newly arrived African migrants and refugees and for her tireless work in establishing charities and networks of support for these new arrivals. The Local Women Judith Adam of the Year Awards, Nominated by Mr MP (Castle Hill) nominated by Members Judith is recognised for her dedication to the Castle Hill community, in particular her volunteer of Parliament, recognise work for the Castle Hill Art and Show Societies and for her incredible fundraising efforts for the women who have RDA Riding for the Disabled in Kellyville. made wonderful Julie Ainsworth Nominated by Mr Tim Owen MP contributions to their (Newcastle) Julie is recognised not only for her steadfast local communities. commitment to several Newcastle charities over the past 26 years but also for being the first women to be appointed General Manager of the Newcastle Herald.

Holly Behringer Nominated by Mr Chris Patterson MP (Camden)

Holly is recognised for her renowned service to the Leppington Progress Association for more than 20 years. She is affectionately known as a ‘conduit of community spirit’.

Ruth Blanch Nominated by The Hon Richard Torbay MP (Northern Tablelands)

Ruth is recognised for her unwavering community involvement in sporting, arts, crafts, churches, schools and support groups, as well as the Country Women’s Association. Yvonne Booth Sister Marlene Chedid Nominated by Mr Greg Aplin MP Nominated by Dr MP (Albury) (Parramatta)

Yvonne is recognised for her role as a dynamic Sister Marlene is recognised for her devotion community leader in the Henty region and for to the Maronite community, voluntarily serving her involvement in organisations such as Guides, the parishes at Mass, and raising more than Myoora Homestead and Tidy Towns Committee. $3 million towards significant capital works projects for Our Lady of Lebanon College. Sonja Cameron Nominated by Mr Ray Williams MP Jacquie Cheetham (Hawkesbury) Nominated by The Hon Linda Burney MP (Canterbury) Sonja is recognised for her dedicated involvement in Arcadia Public School. One of her many Jacquie is recognised for the many innovative achievements is the working bee she organises and useful programs she has instigated to plant vegetable gardens so that students throughout her 23 years in government learn about sustainability and growing produce. and non-government roles in social work, community development and teaching. Wendy Carver Nominated by The Hon Barry O’Farrell MP Margaret Coles (Ku-ring-gai) Nominated by Mr Bruce Notley-Smith MP (Coogee) Wendy is recognised for her outstanding contribution to Lifeline over the past 25 years. Margaret is recognised for her outstanding She has worked towards enabling crisis contribution to the community as an exceptional support for many, many people in the fundraiser and a committed volunteer. Her ‘Harbour to Hawkesbury’ community. philosophy has always been to help those less fortunate than herself. Felicia Cecil Nominated by Mr MP Jane Cooke OAM (Tweed) Nominated by Mr David Elliott MP (Baulkham Hills) Felicia is recognised for her incredible commitment to her local community through her church, Jane is recognised for her exemplary leadership her involvement in the Blair Athol Refuge and of the Castle Hill RSL, Gymnastics Club and The to local, regional and state levels of public Hills Shire sporting committees for more than education. 15 years.

Kellie Checkley Mary Anne Cronin Nominated by Ms MP Nominated by Ms MP (Menai) (Vaucluse)

Kellie is recognised for her dedication to Project Mary Anne is recognised for the significant Youth where she goes above and beyond to contribution she has made to her community as make sure these young people are healthy, President of the local Chamber of Commerce active and that they have the opportunity to and her exceptional fundraising efforts for North realise their potential. Bondi Surf Club and the Wairoa Special School.

Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Nerida Cullen Patricia Haddow Nominated by The Hon Pru Goward MP Nominated by Mr Garry Edwards MP (Goulburn) (Swansea)

Nerida is recognised for the dedication she has Patricia is recognised for her acclaimed shown to women in regional areas. Through her contribution to the local community in a range involvement in NSW Rural Women’s Council, of volunteer roles for Belmont Neighbourhood Rural Women’s Award and Livestock Health Centre, Old Age and Invalid Pensioners and and Pest Authority, she has been a leader in Belmont Lantern Club. advancing government understanding of the needs of rural women. Deborah Hannon Nominated by Mr Chris Spence MP Judy Foord (The Entrance) Nominated by Mr MP (Heathcote) Deborah is recognised for the incredible leadership she showed as Principal of The Judy is recognised for her determined advocacy Entrance Public School and for the spirited work for people with disabilities and their families dedication she continues to display in her so that parents are safe in the knowledge that community. their children will be looked after for life. Trudy Hanson OAM Leonie Forsyth Nominated by Mr Troy Grant MP Nominated by Mr Andrew Cornwell MP (Dubbo) (Charlestown) Trudy is recognised for her unsurpassed Leonie is recognised for her incredible role dedication to people with grief, trauma and at Kidsafe Hunter for the past 20 years where mental health issues in regional and rural areas her work has helped to reduce the number through her work with the National Association of serious injuries to children and her legacy in for Loss and Grief and the establishment of the Hunter will be felt for many years to come. the Blue Healers Depression Anxiety and Stress Program. Roseanna Gallo Nominated by The Hon MP Gai Hawthorn (Ryde) Nominated by Mr MP (Penrith) Roseanna is recognised for her endless drive, support and selfless efforts in volunteering with Gai is recognised for her contribution to the organisations like Macquarie Park Rotary Club, community as Manager of Penrith City Centre Eastwood Granny Smith Festival and Lady of Association. She is committed to helping the Grace Nursing Home. homeless and disadvataged through various volunteering and fundraising roles. Mariya Gojan Nominated by Mr Tony Issa MP (Granville)

Mariya is recognised for her remarkable contribtion to the Granville community for a number of years in the commerical sector and with charitable organisations.

Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Deborah Holloman Renee Klippert Nominated by The Hon Chris Hartcher MP Nominated by Mr Bart Bassett MP (Terrigal) (Londonderry)

Deborah is recognised for her passionate Renee is recognised for the selfless generosity commitment to preserving and maintaining she gives in her role at Connecting Carers our natural ecosystem through her work at and as a foster carer herself. She is one of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. the region’s most prominent advocates for Deb works tirelessly to restore areas degraded vulnerable children and their carers. by weed invasion in the Gosford area, working with contractors and volunteers. Catherine Knox Nominated by Mr Jonathan O’Dea MP Susan Hoopmann (Davidson) Nominated by The Hon MP (Lane Cove) Catherine is recognised for her extraordinary work raising awareness about post-natal Sue is recognised for being an excellent role depression. She established the Gidget model for women through her outstanding Foundation, and co-authored the book, service to the community through involvement ‘Beyond Baby Blues’. with local government. Susan Lawrance Kerry Johnston Nominated by The Hon Kevin Humphries MP Nominated by The Hon Donald Page MP (Barwon) (Ballina) Susan is recognised for her unwavering Kerry is recognised for the extraordinary dedication to promoting reconciliation, and contribution she has made through the empowering men, women, Aboriginal people organisation she founded in 1979, Riding and people with disability through teaching art for the Disabled Association NSW Ballina in Walgett and Lightening Ridge. and District Centre. Fay Linnett Caroline Kelly Nominated by Mr John Williams MP Nominated by Dr MP (Murray-Darling) (Pittwater) Fay is recognised as a powerhouse in the Caroline is recognised for her work towards Ivanhoe community and the remote far west improving outcomes for people with pancreatic NSW. A principal organiser of the annual cancer. The Avner Nahmani Pancreatic Cancer Kilfera Field Day for 23 years, she has also Foundation (named after her late husband) aims been instrumental in fundraising for Ivanhoe to double the number of survivors of pancreatic Hospital and the Royal Flying Doctors. cancer by 2020. Violet Lord Christine Killinger Nominated by The Hon MP Nominated by Mrs Roza Sage MP (South Coast) (Blue Mountains) Violet is recognised for her dedicated 40 years’ Christine is recognised for enriching the lives of service to the Nowra East Public School, Parents people in the Blue Mountains through the many and Citizens Association and her coordination organisations for which she volunteers and for of the Breakfast Club that serves nutritional her extraordinary fundraising efforts. meals to more than 60 children each day.

Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Karen Lowden Margaret Matthews Nominated by The Hon Jillian Skinner MP Nominated by The Hon George Souris MP (North Shore) (Upper Hunter)

Karen is recognised for her unsurpassed bravery Margaret is recognised for her outstanding and dedication to duty when she risked her life contribution to Girl Guides for more than 30 to stay with Madeleine Pulver during the collar- years and for her fundraising work for the bomb hoax at her home in Mosman in August Westpac Helicopter, Lioness Club and for 2011. sending care packages to men and women serving in the armed forces overseas. Rebecca Lucas Nominated by The Hon Mike Baird MP Dawn Mayne (Manly) Nominated by Mr MP (Monaro) Rebecca is recognised for her passion, determination and courage to make a Dawn is recognised for her remarkable service difference. At 19, she founded the Tony and dedication to the community of Queanbeyan Lucas Brain Cancer Research Grant (in through her work with both the Show Society honour of her father) to support research and Legacy. She works tirelessly to enhance for a cure and has so far raised more Queanbeyan’s profile in the region. than $200,000. Sandra McCarthy Maura Luxford Nominated by Mr MP Nominated by The Hon Andrew Stoner MP (Kiama) (Oxley) Sandra is recognised for the phenomenal Maura is recognised for her inspiring contribution mark she has left on the Kiama community to educating adolescents on melanoma and through decades of dedicated service to founding the ‘ride 4 a cure’ Hannah Rose local government. She is known locally Melanoma Research Fund after her late as an extraordinary woman. daughter Hannah who was diagnosed with melanoma at age 19. Karen McLean Nominated by Mr Darren Webber MP Brooke Manzione (Wyong) Nominated by Mr Bryan Doyle MP (Campbelltown) Karen is recognised as the driving force behind the Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce Brooke is recognised for her inspiring efforts to as Manager/Town Coordinator for the past improving the lives of local young people. She is three years, championing a number of causes dedicated to working with young people to help including the fight against graffiti. them make better decisions around the use of drugs and alcohol. Jan McWilliams Nominated by Mr MP (Myall Lakes)

Jan is recognised for the outstanding contribution she has made to Myall Lakes through her 17 years of continuous service in local government.

Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Samantha Meyn Kerry Parbery Nominated by The Hon Robyn Parker MP Nominated by The Hon MP (Maitland) (Bega)

Samantha is recognised for her dedication to Kerry is recognised for her drive, determination improving the lives of children with cancer and and dedication to surf life saving over the past their families. She and her husband established 30 years. She has given unreservedly to the the Harry Meyn Foundation in memory of their community where she is much admired. son Harry who died from an inoperable brain tumour. Jacqueline Pettit Nominated by The Hon Greg Smith MP Wendy Milburn (Epping) Nominated by Mr Charles Casuscelli MP (Strathfield) Jacqueline is recognised for her inspiring leadership of The Shack, a charity that helps Wendy is recognised for her passionate more than 100 young people with anything advocacy work on behalf of students with from family problems to drug and alcohol intellectual and physical disabilities and their addictions, issues with crime to loneliness. families who attend Chalmers Road School. Carmen Pollifrone Kate Milford Nominated by Mr John Sidoti MP Nominated by Mr Craig Baumann MP (Five Dock) (Port Stephens) Carmen is recognised for her remarkable work Kate is recognised for her exceptional service as the Family Educator at All Hallows School to Lions International for over 20 years as well and as the mini Vinnies coordinator, a program as for the 40 hours or more each week that she designed to help people who are homeless and spends volunteering in her community in various in need of support capacities. Nada Potter Nell Morgan OAM Nominated by Mr Chris Holstein MP Nominated by The Hon MP (Gosford) (Wakehurst) Nada is recognised for her unwavering Nell is recognised for the decades of service dedication to the people around her and in she has dedicated to volunteering for Meals on particular for her work with both Chertsey Wheels. In her 90s, she is still actively involved Schools as Community Centres and her and also teaches Scottish dancing, as she has involvement with the Central Coast Kids done for the past 25 years. Day Out.

Jean Newton Joan Powell Nominated by Mr Jai Rowell MP Nominated by Mr Glenn Brookes MP (Wollondilly) (East Hills)

Jean is recognised for her valuable contribution Joan is recognised for her advocacy, leadership to the community through her volunteer work and championing of causes in her local area, and for her involvement in the Wollondilly including organising the installation of lifts at disability access committee. Panania station and a shuttle bus for shoppers and university students.

Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Luz Besañes Press Jeanette Suttie OAM Nominated by The Hon Thomas George MP Nominated by Mr MP (Lismore) (Lake Macquarie)

Luz is recognised for her passion in helping Jeanette is recognised for the incredible others in her local community. She is Secretary contribution she has made to the Lake of the International Rainbow Club, a ‘human Macquarie community including coordinating book’ at the library, a Red Cross Telecross youth groups, finding accommodation for the volunteer and organiser of Harmony Day. homeless, mentoring ‘at risk’ teens, and providing emergency care Leonie Schumacher Nominated by Mr MP Melva Thompson (Bathurst) Nominated by Mr Christopher Gulaptis MP (Clarence) Leonie is recognised for her dedication to keeping the Bathurst Community Transport Melva is recognised for the outstanding Group up and running for the past 12 years, contribution she has made fostering the and for her unwavering commitment to those arts in her community and encouraging in need. community participation.

Margaret Sieswerda Aimy Thorne Nominated by Mr MP Nominated by Mr Andrew Gee MP (Oatley) (Orange)

Margaret is recognised for her contribution to Aimy is recognised for her efforts for autism fine arts as a master in the craft of decoupage. awareness and the need for more support for Now in her 80s, Margaret has raised thousands autistic children and their families in rural and of dollars over the years for those in need by remote communities. She walked from Broken donating her creations to charity. Hill to Wellington, raising almost $10,000.

Linda Strickland Margaret Turnbull Nominated by Mr MP Nominated by Mr John Flowers MP (Riverstone) (Rockdale)

Linda is recognised for her exemplary Margaret is recognised for her enthusiastic commitment to homeless people in her contribution to the Board of the Work and community by cooking food at her home Leisure Centre for Adults (with disability) and then driving around her local area over the past 18 years. Each week she delivering it to them daily. volunteers to take both adults and young children swimming. Maree Sumpton Nominated by Mr MP Susan Walter AM (Hornsby) Nominated by The Hon Graham Annesley MP (Miranda) Maree is recognised for her dedication and inspiring leadership she has displayed Sue is recognised for her incredible commitment throughout her career with the Department to improving the lives and outcomes of children of Education and Communities, spanning with cancer and their families through the more than 40 years. organisation she founded in honour of her son, the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Patricia Waterman Nominated by Mr MP (Sydney)

Patricia is recognised for 25 years of volunteer work in her local community. She has worked with tenant groups to improve safety, organised neighbourhood groups to promote harmony and tolerance and is always available to those in need.

Beatrice Williams Nominated by The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP (Burrinjuck)

Beatrice is recognised for her exceptional contribution to the Crookwell Shire where she is active in helping individuals and organisations such as Meals on Wheels, Pink Ribbon Day and Cancer Council.

Suzette Young Nominated by The Hon MP (Willoughby)

Suzette is recognised for the inspiring contribution she made to the community as Principal of Willoughby Girls High School for 19 years. Under her exemplary leadership, staff and students worked together to attain the highest standards in scholarship and citizenship.

Myra Zacher Nominated by Mr Andrew Fraser MP (Coffs Harbour)

Myra is recognised for her incredible contribution to the Coffs Harbour community through her involvement in the Netball Association and as President of Club Coffs.

Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Thank you

We would like to thank the following people for their contribution to the 2013 NSW Women of the Year Awards:

Sponsor

Judges

Juliet Bourke Partner, Human Capital, Deloitte

Yim Chan Manager, Performance Group, Public Service Commission

Jeni O’Dowd Editor at Large, The Daily Telegraph

Emanuel Perdis Managing Director, Napoleon Perdis

Brian Seidler Chief Executive, Master Builders Association of NSW

Media Partner

Sponsored gifts

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Australian Chamber Orchestra

Berkelouw Books

Café 1812

Lomography Australia

Master Builders Association of NSW

My Messy Room

Napoleon Perdis

All the nominees and the people who nominated these wonderful women 1405 WNSW1405 0213