Monica Hayes Award to honour women leaders in sport

NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2026 Monica Hayes Award, a long-standing northern Bellarine honour that recognises women who show leadership and make a meaningful difference in their communities.

The award commemorates the life of Monica Hayes, a respected community leader, activist and feminist who died in 2016, and reflects her strong commitment to social justice and women’s rights.

A decade on, the award continues to highlight women whose actions strengthen their communities and inspire others.

This year’s award places a special focus on leadership in sport, recognising the powerful role sporting clubs play in community wellbeing and in creating inclusive, supportive environments for women and girls.

Sporting clubs in Portarlington, Drysdale, Clifton Springs, Curlewis, Indented Head and St Leonards are invited to nominate women who are current club members living in those communities.

Nominees should demonstrate leadership by motivating others and helping to advance gender equality in sport, whether through improve club culture, breaking down barriers to access and participation, mentoring or coaching, or championing teamwork and inclusion.

Nominations close on February 23.

The award will be announced at the 2026 Northern Bellarine International Women’s Day celebration, to be held at Scotchmans Hill Winery on March 5.

The event will feature guest speaker Mary Crooks, who was the executive director of the Victorian Women’s Trust from 1996 to 2025.

Nomination forms will be distributed to local sporting clubs by International Women’s Day committee members and are also available online.

For more information, contact Jenny Wills on 0409 790 050 or via email at [email protected]