Women in community life awards nominations open

THE City of Greater Geelong 2024 Women in Community Life Awards are now open for nominations.

These annual awards celebrate the significant contributions of women to the Greater Geelong community, particularly their efforts to advance and champion gender equality.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said that the contribution of women is often underestimated and encouraged people to nominate.

“I encourage you to consider women you know who have contributed positively to our community and consider nominating them for an award,” Cr Sullivan said.

The awards will be presented as part of the City’s International Women’s Day celebrations on Friday 8 March 2024.

The UN Women global theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Count Her In: Accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment.

“These awards form part of a number of awards programs hosted by the Council to target under-represented groups to ensure we equitably recognise and celebrate everyone’s contributions,” Cr Sullivan said.

“Gender equity is one of the Council’s five health and wellbeing priorities as laid out in our Community Plan and acknowledges the critical work of women and girls in our community.”

Chair of the women in community life advisory committee Cr Melissa Cadwell said the awards provide the opportunity to recognise women who are often unsung.

“We want to hear about women you know, from the quiet volunteer to the inspiring leader, who are working for an equal society in our Greater Geelong community,” Cr Cadwell said.

“Sharing the accomplishments and stories of women allows us to thank them for their contributions and helps to inspire other women and future generations – after all ‘you can’t be, what you can’t see.’”

Award nominations are open across seven categories:

• Women in Community Life Award for Economic Empowerment – sponsored by Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West
• Women in Community Life Award for a First Nations Woman – sponsored by Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples & Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens MP
• Women in Community Life Award for Disability Rights – sponsored by Barwon Health
• Women in Community Life Award for Leadership in Women’s Health – sponsored by GMHBA
• Women in Community Life Award for Climate Action – sponsored by Member for Bellarine, Alison Marchant
• Women in Community Life Award for Human Rights – sponsored by Zonta Club of Geelong
• Women in Community Life Award for Education – sponsored by Soroptimist International of Geelong.

Nominations close at 5:00pm on Monday 5 February 2024 and will be assessed by a selection panel.

For more information visit Women in Community Life Awards.