Women who strengthen a city

THE Ballarat Foundation has honoured six outstanding local women whose leadership, advocacy and community service have shaped Ballarat.

The six – Larelle Kuczer, Sherley Hart, Jill Oliver, Rebecca Jakobi, Cathy Oddie and Wendy Sturgess – have been named by the foundation as this year’s Great Women of Ballarat honourees.

Chief executive at Child and Family Services, Wendy Sturgess is a values-driven community leader and advocate for equity, inclusion and systemic change.

Youth and community impact manager at Y Ballarat, Larelle Kuczer has reshaped opportunities for young people across the region.

Sherley Hart has served the Ballarat community for four decades, drawing on her early work supporting Filipino women settling in Australia.

Jill Oliver has been a driving force of community service through Rotary and the Oliver Family Foundation.

Rebecca Jakobi, a proud First Nations leader and founder of Tru Dreaming, has become a respected voice for cultural education and community pride, and Cathy Oddie is a courageous advocate for survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence.

The six honourees will be formally celebrated at a special event, Illuminate Great Women of Ballarat 2026, to be held on Thursday 5 March at the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute.

Since 2008, the Great Women of Ballarat program has recognised more than 200 extraordinary women from across the region. The program honours women who lead with courage, give back without seeking recognition, and strengthen Ballarat through volunteerism, advocacy, innovation and community service.

This year’s honourees reflect the depth and diversity of women’s leadership across youth development, multicultural support, philanthropy, First Nations cultural education and advocacy for survivors of violence.

In coming editions, The Ballarat Times will celebrate the newly-announced honourees’ unique contributions to the community in a series of individual profiles.