Women of the West Award 2008

• Winner
• Highly Commended
• Commended
• Winner of the 2008 Young Women of the West Award
• Nominees for 2008
• More Information

The winner of the UWS Women of the West Award and the Young Women of the West Award for 2008 was announced by UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, AM at the University’s International Women’s Day celebrations on Friday 7 March.

Winner of the UWS Women of the West Award for 2008

Helen Walker OAM – Manager of Great Community Transport

Helen was nominated by Councillor Greg Davies, the then Mayor of Penrith City Council.  As a resident of the Blue Mountains, Helen has changed and improved thousands of lives in Western Sydney.  In the past two decades, the mother of three has devoted herself to the community, particularly in the fields of transport and health.  Through Helen’s innovation and advocacy the registered charity Great Community Transport (GCT) was formed. As manager of GCT, Helen is inspirational and dedicated to the professional development of her staff, delivering high quality service and assistance to transport disadvantaged people living in the Blue Mountains, Penrith and Hawkesbury areas.  In 1999, Helen received her OAM for community service.

 









Winner of the UWS Women of the West Award for 2008 – Helen Walker OAM with Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid AM.

Highly Commended

Councillor Judith Hannan – Wollondilly Shire Council

Judith was nominated by local resident John Macrae.  Judith’s personal battle with breast cancer and appearance on the television show Bodyworks was courageous and inspirational to women everywhere.  Judith cast aside her own needs to assist others afflicted in the same way.  Judith has lobbied politicians and the healthcare industry to help alleviate the trauma, tragedy and heartache breast cancer creates.  She is actively campaigning for more Medicare funded MRI scans to detect breast cancer early.  Judith has also been active in gaining special Government approval for the drug ‘Herceptin’ to be placed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Councillor Judith Hannan is presented with the Highly Commended Award by Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid AM.

Commended

Judith Field – Development Manager, Economic and Employment Development, Delfin Lend Lease

Judith was nominated by Councillor Greg Davies, the then Mayor of Penrith City Council.  A Western Sydney local for over 30 years, Judith is actively involved in a wide range of organisations throughout the region’s businesses, education and employment industries and in the not for profit sector.  Her current role with Delfin Lend Lease has primarily been focused around the establishment of strategies to generate sustainable economic growth and social capital in the region.  One of Judith’s significant contributions has been leading the establishment of the Ropes Crossing Skilling and Employment Centre – established to help local people find local jobs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid AM presents Judith Field with the Commended Award.

Theresa Howe – Proprietor of Chapel Hill Retreat

Theresa was nominated by Paul Maher from Loxley on Bellbird Hill.  A business proprietor and resident of the Hawkesbury area for 27 years, Theresa is known for her philanthropy and support in palliative care.  She established the Outstretched Hand Foundation in 1980, to provide physical support and information to patients suffering from terminal illness.  Theresa was instrumental in starting the National Association of Loss and Grief.  In 1994, Theresa set up the Chapel on the Hill retreat, entertaining many older people from hostels and the community.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid AM presents Theresa with the Commended Award.

Winner of the UWS Young Women of the West Award for 2008

Lavinia Vaifo'ou

Lavinia is 18 and lives in Tregear. She works tirelessly with various groups of young people providing much needed peer support as well as advocating on their behalf.  Lavinia is not one for the limelight and would prefer to go about helping people without recognition or reward.  Her passion, energy and efforts should however serve as a strong inspiration to the large number of young people in Western Sydney and she is an extremely positive example of what can be achieved.

Lavinia currently works at the Bidwill Primary School as a Teachers Aide Special, providing one on one support to at risk students. Lavinia was named Blacktown’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2006 and is a member of the Blacktown- Nepean Regional Advisory Council of the Community Relations Commission as well as the Youth Advisory Council for Blacktown City Council. She volunteers at the Pacific Youth Network Committee where she has written several youth related newspaper articles, coordinated Pacific Education Workshops, and the annual Pacifica Youth Festivals.

Winner of the UWS Young Women of the West Award for 2008 Lavinia Vaifo'ou pictured with Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid AM and Councillor Barbara Gapps, the then Senior Vice President of WSROC.

Nominees for 2008

Congratulations to everyone from across Greater Western Sydney nominated for the 2008 Women of the West Award:

• Ms Alison Dench, Manager Community Services, Wollondilly Shire Council
• Ms Jodi Dickson, Group Workplace Relations Manager/Solicitor, Mounties Group
• Ms Janice Hardacre, Manager Executive Services, Wollondilly Shire Council
• Ms Sonia Hoffman, Project Coordinator/Trainer, WEEO WISER Young Women's Project, Liverpool Women's Health Centre
• Ms Sharelle Hurley, Teacher (Special Needs), East Hills Boys Technology High School
• Mrs Elizabeth Irwin, Editor, Editricks Multimedia
• Ms Annick Leach, Regional Manager, South West, YWCA NSW
• Ms Melissa Monterio, Manager, Baulkham Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre
• Ms Lena Nahlous, Director, ICE and Switch, Information and Cultural Exchange
• Ms Robyn Pulbrook, Principal, Campbelltown Performing Arts High School
• Mrs Diane Simpson, Primary School Teacher (casual)
• Ms Therese Sweeney, Artist (Photographer/Film maker)
• Ms Annamaria Wood, General Manager, Macarthur District Temporary Family Care
• Ms Gail Wykes, School Education Director, Cumberland, NSW Department of Education and Training
• Ms Omeima Sukkarieh, Cross-cultural/Community Consultant, OmeimaS Consultancy.
  

Young Women of the West Award:

• Ms Teneille Bush, Children's and Young Adults Library Assistant, Blue Mountains City Council
• Amanda Bowater, Studying a Bachelor of Community Welfare
• Erin Chew, Industrial Finance
• Yar Mayen, Studying a Bachelor of Nursing
• Lauren Abel, Post School Programs Manager
• Fadia Al Faris, Studying a Access to Work and Training Certificate 1
• Kristian Bredin, Ticketek Customer Service Officer
• Carmen Fox, Links to Learning Coordinator
• Natalie Keegal, Studying a Certificate IV
• Mariam Sarah Mohamed, Studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biomedical Science
• Maria Tran, Studying a Bachelor of Psychology
• Sarah-Jane Vella, Trainee Finance Officer
• Achinthi Vithanage, Studying a Bachelor of Law/ International Relations
• Rosemary Want, Function Coordinator
• Emma Brindley
• Alisha Cousins
• Zahra Shafaq.
  

Past and present winners of UWS Women of the West Award.  From L-R are Helen Walker OAM, Juliana Nkrumah, Sister Mary-Louise Petro and Dr Elizabeth McCusker.

More Information

UWS Media Release - UWS announces 'Women of the West' Award winners for 2008.