Three joint winners announced for Monica Hayes Award

JUDGES were unable to split the outstanding nominees for the 2021 Monica Hayes Award and have decided to recognise all three this year.

The awards were presented to Mercedes Drummond, Jenny Macaulay and Caroline Rickard at the fifth Northern Bellarine International Women’s Day (IWD) lunch, held at Bennetts on Bellarine on Tuesday last week.

The three nominees for the 2021 Monica Hayes Award – named in honour of the feminist, community leader and activist who died in August 2016 – are involved in a diverse range of groups, organisations, activities and advocacy for the betterment of their communities, for people of all ages.

The Northern Bellarine IWD committee said the trio were important role models for women and girls as leaders, initiators, contributors, enablers, fundraisers and mentors:

• Mercedes Drummond was the first female president of the Drysdale Rotary Club in 2005, paving the way for five women who followed her in that role. She has undertaken other key community leadership positions, including with the Springdale Neighbourhood House, the Northern Bellarine Festival of Glass, and she is currently president of the Drysdale Clifton Springs Curlewis Association
• Jenny Macaulay is a dedicated, determined, and quiet achiever for her community. Her leadership in Portarlington is reflected through a diverse range of activities and groups that bring social, cultural and economic benefits to the community. She helped establish the Portarlington Mussel Festival, the Portarlington Art and Garden Trail, Port Arts, the Northern Bellarine IWD annual celebration, and most recently the Haiku Trail at Port Richards, and
• Caroline Rickard began working with Guides at aged 18 and later, following the birth and raising of eight children, her commitment to her community continued through leadership roles in the Nursing Mothers Association, kindergarten, primary and secondary school committees. As a member of the Rotary Club of Drysdale, Caroline has held executive roles over nine years, including two terms as president and has been involved in a diverse range of actions both promoting community wellbeing and targeted to meet special needs.

Monica’s daughter Bec Fary and Monica’s niece Lee Hayes presented flowers and cheques to the three women.

At the lunch, the keynote speaker, chief executive officer of national sporting body Sports Inclusion Australia Robyn Smith spoke of the negative impacts of exclusion and the importance for women of all ages, abilities, different ethnic groups and First Nations women to have a voice.

Other speakers included Corangamite federal member Libby Coker, who echoed Ms Smith’s message, and IWD committee members Marilyn Mooney and Jenny Wills.