NSW’s leading women honoured
Sportswomen, philanthropists and women’s health workers have all been honoured this year by being listed as finalists in the 2009 NSW Woman of the Year Awards.
Voted for by NSW Government ministers and local members, the list of 10 finalists -” which includes surfing identity Layne Beachley and women’s health advocates Sue Ismiel and Wendy McCarthy -” was whittled down from an initial 87 candidates.
Rhonda French, a Wiradjuri woman who works to provide better health outcomes for Aboriginal communities and reduce the impact of domestic violence was also noted, as was Pauline Plant, founder of the Yamba Breast Cancer Support Group.
The coordinator of Cancer Care Western NSW, Jan Savage, made it onto the list for her work promoting the health needs of rural communities.
Community worker and public housing tenant and advocate Rozita Leoni was also mentioned as was Ana Tiwary, the vice-president of Women in Film and Television and founder of the Media Mentorship for Women program.
The NSW Woman of the Year will be announced by Premier Nathan Rees at an official International Women’s Day reception on March 5.
info: For more on the awards and government-run events for International Women’s Day visit www.women.nsw.gov.au.
