10 women named as finalists in NSW Advocate for Children Award

Finalists in the 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards have been announced, with 10 young women named as finalists in the Advocate for Children and Young People One to Watch Award category for children aged seven to seventeen years. 

 

In total, 34 remarkable women and girls making a significant impact across the board in fields such as science, education, health, industry, culture and community were named as finalists by NSW Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor. 

 

“I’m always inspired by the calibre of women nominated for these awards and the outstanding contributions they are making in their communities across the state,” Mrs Taylor said.

 

“There were almost 400 nominations, showcasing incredible women from all walks of life who are championing positive change. These finalists are an inspiration to us all and it’s wonderful to see them getting the recognition they deserve.”

 

Ms Taylor extended her congratulations to the finalists, describing them as “incredible individuals who make enormous contributions to our communities”.

 

There are seven award categories in the 2023 program, including the Premier’s Award for NSW Woman of the Year, which is selected from a pool of category winners.

 

The finalists are as follows:

 

Advocate for Children and Young People One to Watch Award

• Abbie – Epping
• Matilda Gibson – Cessnock
• Jorja O’Brien – Young
• Grace Salkeld – Garthowen
• Jasmine Seidel – New Lambton Heights
• Coralie Smith – Ulladulla
• Haniya Syed – Oran Park
• Penelope Towney – Corrimal
• Lucy Trease – Alstonville
• Audrey Wood – Mount Kuring-gai.

 

NSW Woman of Excellence Award

• Dr Rebecca Deans – Randwick
• Anne Dennis – Walgett
• Arabella Gibson – Mosman
• Unis Goh – Turramurra
• Jodie Ward – Heathcote.

 

NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year Award

• Natalie Ahmat – Gladesville
• Debbie Barwick – Rutherford
• Jodi Edwards – Flinders
• Lynda Edwards – Narromine
• Kirsty Hargraves – Dubbo
• Naomi Moran – Lismore.

 

Aware Super NSW Community Hero of the Year Award

• Elly Bird – Lismore
• Randa Habelrih – Maroubra
• Mary Hollingworth – Glen Innes
• Angela McCann OAM – Coolamon.

 

NSW Minerals Council Regional Woman of the Year Award

• Emma Bracken – Suffolk Park
• Gayle Dunn – Ulladulla
• Dannielle Pickford – Banora Point
• Sally Rogers – Eatonsville.

 

NSW Young Woman of the Year Award

• Ashna Basu – Randwick
• Chanel Contos – Sydney
• Lua Pellegrini – Toongabbie
• Daniya Syed – Oran Park
• Jiahui Diana Zhang – Blacktown.

 

Winners will be announced on Thursday 9 March at the 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards Ceremony at the International Convention Centre, Sydney and live streamed online. The awards are part of NSW Women’s Week, which runs from Monday 6 March to Sunday 12 March.

 

To read more about the awards and finalists, visit the Women of the Year Awards page.