Monica Hayes Award nominations open

NOMINATIONS are being sought for a prestigious community award.

Applications are open for the 2025 Monica Hayes Award which honours the life of the community leader who died from motor neurone disease at her Portarlington home in 2016.

A feminist and activist, Hayes had a strong sense of social justice and was committed to women’s rights.

Among her many roles, she was president of Bellarine Community Health and the Portarlington Community Association.

Nominations are encouraged for women living in the northern Bellarine (Portarlington, Indented Head, St Leonards, Drysdale, Clifton Springs, Curlewis) who give that extra effort to make a difference for others, particularly women and girls.

This could be through assisting and encouraging others to develop their potential with new interests or skills, mentoring, or by engaging with others in the community.

Nominees could be involved in any of a diverse range of community activities including social, cultural, environmental, economic or political activism/advocacy.

Whether a quiet achiever, a committed contributor or a prominent leader, each nominee will be admired and respected in her community.

The award will be announced and presented at the 10th Northern Bellarine International Women’s Day celebratory event at Scotchmans Hill winery on March 6. Bookings can be made at trybooking.com

Application forms are available at the Neighbourhood House, Bendigo Bank and Senior Citizens Centre in Portarlington, Springdale Neighbourhood House, Drysdale, St Leonards Community Space, Post Offices in St Leonards and Indented Head. Applications close on February 21. For more information, phone Northern Bellarine IWD committee member Jenny Wills on 5259 3032.

BY BRIAN ALLEN